REALIZE NEED FOR Business Men Join Merchants' NINE NEW MEMBERS ELECTED The necessity for thorough organiza- Mr. Joseph L. Berger, 41 East Eleventh CHARITY BUREAU Street-Clothing Manufacturers. Messrs. J. Eisner and Company, Mr. Clothing Manufacturers. READY TO ADVISE Members Are Reminded That Messrs. Joseph T. Ryerson and Son, The Sterling Piano Company, Mr. is being realized by the business in- terests of the City. Applications for FOR A FREE PORT BLANKS AVAILABLE Prepared for The Merchants' Associa- Members of The Merchants' Associa- August, when "Greater New York" was tion are coming in from men who feel At a public hearing before the For- standing of charities appealing to them Aid in Readjustment New Members Elected THE CUBAN TARIFF LAW A supplement to the Customs Tariff ciation: Heywood, Strasser and Voigt Litho- Series No. 27B. Tide-Water Building Company, Mr. The Casmine Company, Mr. Charles covered by Tariff Series No. 27A, now Messrs. Friedman Brothers and Com- at ten cents each. Special "binders" or covers for "Greater Prompt Answers Given It is not necessary, however, to use CIVIC FAME 560 FEET IN AIR тк GREATER NEW YORK Bulletin of The MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION of New York VOL. III NEW YORK, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1914 No. 32 Argentina's Markets Eager for Our Products Statement of Her Imports from England, Germany and France in 1912 Shows the Amount What manufactured products have formerly been supplied to Latin-America by the European nations now at The table below shows the imports of Argentina from the principal manufacturing centers abroad. Business Men Eager to Take Advantage of Foreign Trade Openings Inquiries from Members of The Merchants' Association Indicate Widespread Determination in Many Lines of Industry to Invade New Fields Abandoned by Competitors The large number of applications that States. That this interest is not con-notice for selling goods in foreign are being made to The Merchants' Asso- fined to any single line is shown by the countries. Requests from foreign buyciation in response to its offer to aid its diversity of the inquiries received. ers for quotations have been promptly members in the capture of markets While the Industrial Bureau of The passed on to members. which have been deserted as a result Association is satisfying these inquiries of the war in Europe, indicates wide- as rapidly as possible, it is also in- has scarcely been touched, but it is spread interest in the project for in- forming its members of specific op- hoped to enlarge it in the future. Its creasing the foreign trade of the United portunities which have come to its (Continued on page 3) This is a phase of work which, as yet, EAGER TO GRASP INVITATION TO FOREIGN TRADE (Continued from page 2) glad to furnish more detailed informa possibilities and value to the members Trade Campaign Begun tion upon any of these subjects. of The Association were recently illustrated. A man who has for years represented European manufacturers of cotton piece goods in China, came to The Association a few days ago asking to be put in touch with American manufacturers of similar lines. This man knows the customs of the country thoroughly and, in addition, the men in the trade. He brought to New York samples of the goods and patterns which find a wide market in China. The Association was very glad to notify its members who might be interested and it is hoped that satisfactory arrangements will be made to secure this trade for American mills. Opportunities of this sort will, undoubtedly, come to the attention of The Association in increasing numbers, with a proportionate increase in our ability to serve our membership. Diversified Inquiries A flood of requests for information and advice has followed the announcement of The Merchants' Association's readiness to assist members desiring to take advantage of the present splendid opportunity for establishing new trade relations in the Latin-American markets of South America. The Industrial Bureau of The Association is equipped to furnish all information that is available regarding these markets. If the facts wanted are not immediately at hand, they will be obtained and supplied as speedily as possible. This service is rendered without cost to members of The Association as part of its programme for aiding in the permanent establishment of a greatly increased trade between the United States and South America. All members interested are urged to make use of the Industrial Bureau. In Brazil, this tariff amounts to almost 80 per cent and in Chile to 60 per cent of the value of the goods. As a result, much of their medium and low grade clothing is of domestic manufacture. The more select and high-priced dresses and gowns can stand this tariff and are, therefore, cheaply imported. Since European production of these goods will be much reduced for a long period, they can probably be introduced successfully by American exporters in spite of the tariff. Manufacturers of clothing in the grades demanded in large quantities, however, can probably hope for but little business at present. On the other hand, the tariff on piece goods is comparatively low, since textile production has not yet developed there on any large scale. Approximately thirty-five inquiries of a widely diversified nature have come to The Association within the last few days, and they are being answered com- way to resume its commercial activities. pletely as fast as the necessary material Shipments of European goods to China, These two classes of goods illustrate can be obtained. With continually ac- Australia and Africa have fallen off as the point to be noted, namely, that a cumulating data inquiries will be much as those to South America. preliminary study should be made of the answered with increasing promptness. certain of these more distant coun- tariff rates in every country into which Among the requests coming to us tries the financial condition is such American goods are to be introduced. have been the following: Names of that they are in a much better position The American exporter who wonders buyers of hard rubber goods in South to pay for them. Even our European why Germany or France has not gone America; information as to the markets markets may be increased in certain after a particular trade may find the and needs of South American countries directions as a result of the reduced answer in the local tariff schedule. for ladies' and misses' wool coats, suits production of the belligerent countries. and dresses; suggestions as to the possibility of selling fancy knit goods in Rates on File The Association has on file all tariff South American countries; information South American Tariffs rates in force up to March, 1914, for as to whether there is a demand for Merchandise Imports the countries of the world. Informacarbon paper and typewriter ribbons in Relation of Customs Duties to be furnished in response to any specific tion regarding these rates will gladly South America; names of retailers and inquiry. This information will serve to wholesalers of ribbons; information as guide prospective exporters in planning to the possible market for flannels and The Merchants' Association is con- the introduction of their goods. the best way to get in touch with buyers; the possibility of selling gold tinually cautioning inquiriers to study fore making the first shipment, howjewelry in these fields, etc. "What is carefully the conditions and restrictions ever, a specific inquiry should be made Be the present financial condition of with which they will have to comply in at Government headquarters in order to ascertain whether these rates have Australia?" is typical of another class entering new foreign markets. Many been changed. This the Association of inquiries. Still others call for in- of these are important only because will also be very glad to do at any time. formation regarding opportunities for they are troublesome, while others selling iron and steel products, includ- affect seriously the possibility of selling machinery, piping, hardware, etc. Other Promising Markets ing goods successfully. Marks and Labels Closely associated with the question of tariff rates is the matter of marking Such restrictions vary in different and labelling shipments. This is often The Association desires to call atten- countries. Some of those which will carelessly done to the annoyance and tion to the fact that the present oppor- be encountered in South America are Carelessness tunities for foreign trade are by no given below, and others will be given expense of the consignee. means limited to South American coun- in succeeding issues of "Greater New in this respect may also lead to extra tries. Mexico seems to be in a fair York." The Association will always be (Continued on page 4) VALUABLE INFORMATION REGARDING NEW MARKETS (Continued from page 3) tariff charges. For example, a number of yokes for oxen which were recently shipped to a South American city were not properly labelled. They were opened at the custom house and as the inspectors were unfamiliar with their use and name, they were classified as "oxen collars." The rate for collars is twenty-one cents per pound and these "oxen collars" were charged accordingly. Such an error could undoubtedly be rectified later, but the delay and the trouble necessary to do this might have been avoided had care been exercised at the time of shipping. The much-discussed question of the proper packing of articles for the export trade also has its bearing on tariff charges and should receive attention from American shippers. In fact, until Americans prove to foreign importers that they are willing to pack their goods SO as to provide absolutely against the possibility of damage, they can not hope for the confidence of the foreign trade. Last week, a foreign buyer stated that if he succeeded in placing orders with American manufacturers he must insist on the proper packing of the goods. Year after year he has seen European shipments come through uninjured, while American goods are almost always received in bad condition. According to this visitor, Chinese capitalists are undertaking the manufacture of one class of textiles-drills -which previously came chiefly from the United States, largely because the goods so frequently arrived in a damaged condition. The Chinaman would gladly pay the added cost of careful packing since it would be passed on to their customers, but the American shipping clerk feels that what is good enough for the domestic trade is good enough for anyone. Worth Going After "The twenty Latin-American countries of Central and South America conducted in 1913 a foreign commerce valued approximately at $3,000,000, 000. The exact total was $2,870,188, 575. Of this total the imports were valued at $1,304,261,763, and the exports at $1,565,916,812. This gives Latin-America a favorable balance of $261,655,049. "Of the principal sources of origin of Latin-American imports Great Britain furnished products valued at $322,036,347, the United States $317, 323,294, Germany $216,010,418, France $103,220,223, Italy $55,494, 413, Belgium $48,747,164, AustriaHungary $9,026,478, the Netherlands $8,293,859, Switzerland $6,189,050, and all other countries $217,290,517. Although the United States ranks second, the possibilities for building up its trade are shown by the fact that the total of Latin-American imports, aside from those coming from the United States, amount nearly to $1, 000,000,000, or exactly $986,938,469. "The exports of Latin America, the European market for which is now greatly lessened by the war, amounted in 1913 approximately to $1,566,000, 000. Of this total the United States was the greatest purchaser, taking products valued at $504,378,212. Then came other countries, as follows:-Great Britain, $316,419,914; Germany, $192,394,702; France, $120,907,415; Belgium, $62,557,566; the Netherlands, $43,277,631; Italy, $27,964,001; Austria-Hungary, $23, 294,991, and all other countries, $247, 722,380. Although it will be seen that Latin America sells in large quantities to North America, she exports to other countries, the majority of which are engaged in war, products valued at $1,061,538,600.”—Mr. John Barrett, Director of the PanAmerican Union. the gross weight, some on legal net weight (i. e., gross weight less the tare allowance fixed in the tariff sheet) and some on actual net weight (i. e., actual net weight of the goods without any packing). In Chile, merchandise subject to duty by weight may be dutiable on net weight, weight including packing, or weight including containers. Dutiable Samples in South America The question is often asked as to the tariff arrangement on articles brought into foreign countries as samples. Usually commercial samples of dutiable goods are admitted temporarily free of duty upon satisfactory security to the customs officials. A deposit of cash equal to the amount of the duties will ordinarily be accepted as a guarantee of re-exportation within the required period, although occasionally a larger amount is demanded. Sometimes a bond satisfactorily executed may be substituted for cash. In Argentina, for example, dutiable merchandise may be imported free by commercial travelers for a maximum period of ninety days, provided satisfactory security is furnished to guarantee payment of regular charges in case of failure to re-export promptly. In Brazil, special permission is granted to import samples duty free for a maximum period of twelve months. A bond must be filed, however, and proof of re-exportation given by furnishing evidence of the arrival of the samples at a foreign port. In Chile, restrictions obtain similar to those in Argentina, but the traveler who ships samples from one Chilean port to another must make formal arrangements with the Customs authorities at both places. Proof that the samples finally arrive in a foreign country must also be given. Licenses for Commercial Travelers Improper Packing Costly This subject is of especial importance The principal countries in South in connection with trade in South America impose a tax upon commercial America. Here not only are climatic travelers of foreign firms. This is done conditions often especially trying, but to offset a similar tax which is laid in addition to the regular rail and most dutiable articles are rated accord- upon local business firms and so to water routes, shipments frequently ing to their legal weight, that is on equalize competition. Sometimes these have an added haul by cart or burro, gross weight, with a reduction for tare taxes are federal and sometimes they or small boat, or even by a man carrier, fixed according to the nature of the are state, or provincial, or municipal. and these conditions should be studi- packing. Merchandise of different They may be avoided if the foreign firm ously provided for in the original pack- classes should never be packed in one allies itself with an established local ing. case, as the duty on the highest taxed house, but in that case orders must be Moreover, in South American coun- article may be applied to the entire booked and delivered only through the tries the question of packing has a close shipment. Of the articles dutiable by local firm. relation to tariff rates. In Argentina weight in Brazil, some pay duty on (Continued on page 5) |