every side of the case and overlapping at the corners and sealed, the top edges being bent inward about an inch to support the tin cover. The cover of the wooden case is then nailed on, two opposite sides of the case are cleated, and two wire straps are nailed around the case near the edges.

Almost the same method is used in packing for Brazil, but no tin containers are used, since there is a duty of $10 each on such cans in that country. Each reel is first wrapped in tissue paper, then in waxed paper, and the reels are then laid on top of each other in the tin-lined

case.

Films going to England are packed in galvanized iron cases with wooden lining about one-quarter of an inch thick. Only seven reels are packed in a case. The cover is hinged and has two padlock fastenings and on top of the case is a handle for convenience in lifting. The wooden lining of this case is fastened into the tin with bolts.

Picture Moldings.-A large exporter of picture moldings writes: "In taking up this matter in detail, we find that due to the different methods and customs prevailing, especially in some of the South American countries, we have to adopt three methods of packing: First are the standard sized wooden cases which are used generally; second are our special wooden cases of short lengths or light weight for shipment to South American countries where transportation is usually by pack animals; third, packing in bundles for shipment to countries where duties are paid by the gross weight.

"Standard method of packing. As our moldings all run in three standard lengths, namely, 8', 10' and 12', we have standardized the largest percentage of our packing in three cases of the following dimensions: Box No. 1— outside measurement is 8' 6" x 26" x 14"; inside 8' 2" x 24" x 12". Box No. 2-outside 10' 6" x 26" x 14"; inside 10′ 2′′ x 24" x 12". Box No. 3-outside 12' 6" x 26" x 14"; inside 12′ 2′′ x 24" x 12". The sizes of the above boxes are practically the same on all shipments, due to

the fact that the majority of the molding is sold in large quantities and each pattern or similar patterns can be packed together.

"Both ends of these boxes are made of two thicknesses of inch lumber; the sides are of one-inch lumber and the top and bottom are cleated with strips 4" x 1", the open places between cleats being boarded up solid with one-half inch birch lumber, which we find the most satisfactory for making cases, as it is very tough.

"The boxes are lined with heavy waterproof paper, and the molding is packed solid so that there will be no play or shifting inside of the boxes. After the box is packed it is then strapped with steel fasteners.

"When large moldings are packed in cases, they are always tied two together face to face with excelsior cushions in between, as large moldings are not so easy to pack solidly and have a greater tendency to shift in the box, thus rubbing the faces and spoiling the molding.

"We can give no standard weight of these cases, but they will average from 550 to 750 pounds each, depending upon the kind of molding packed in same.

"Second special method of packing wooden cases. These cases are made the same as the above with the exception that they are limited to 5-foot lengths and to 160 pounds gross weight. These are for shipment principally to Colombia, South America, where it is necessary to transport cases overland via pack mules."

To some countries, especially countries in Latin America, and above all to Venezuela, where duties are paid on the basis of gross weights, picture moldings are sometimes shipped in bundles, to which reference is made in the special chapter devoted to shipments of that description.

W

CHAPTER XXVI

FOREIGN PARCEL POST SHIPMENTS

ITH the extension of our parcel post conventions throughout the world, the United States will doubtless soon be able to place at the disposal of shippers the same facilities which the United Kingdom has for many years been able to offer to exporters in that country. Shipments by parcel post are in many cases to be preferred to other forms of shipment, because of the lack of formalities and the ease of passing such packages through custom houses and comparative quickness of transmission. Again, there are a great many commodities usually sent out in small packages for which the parcel post is an ideal, in fact, an essential way of shipping.

In 1913 parcel post packages could be sent from the United States to only forty-four countries of the world, and the limit of weight was eleven pounds. Today the American parcel post service extends to more than one hundred and eighty nations and colonies, and to fifteen of these countries one may send parcels up to twenty-two pounds in weight and to one, Panama, up to fifty pounds. In 1912 there were dispatched from the United States 2,270,215 pounds of export parcel post matter. In 1913 there was an increase of 600,000 pounds and in 1914 about 500,000 pounds.

Immediately after the signing of the armistice, our Post Office Department concluded parcel post arrangements with eighteen foreign countries with which there had been no conventions up to that time, and some of the very important markets of the east, south and west were opened up to American foreign parcel post business. In rapid succession came conventions with Spain and her colonies and with Great Britain and France whereby the American parcel post system was extended to every coun

try in the world which was reached by the parcel post arrangements of these two nations. In a very short time our service was extended to about one hundred and eighty countries as against forty-four in 1912. The volume of matter sent by parcel post shows a corresponding increase, namely, from 2,270,215 pounds sent in 1912 to 17,102,131 pounds in 1919. In the first quarter of the fiscal year of 1920 the post office sent out more than 6,000,000 pounds by parcel post or more than was dispatched in the combined years of 1912 and 1913. Indeed, so great has the volume of foreign parcel post business become that our Post Office Department will probably ask for a deficiency appropriation of at least $1,000,000 to pay for the increased cost of steamship transportation.

Since the whole question of packing for foreign parcel post shipments primarily depends upon the parcel post arrangements of the country of destination and the convention of our own country with that other country, the very first step in filling an order is to investigate these regulations. Shippers should always have close at hand. for ready reference the latest edition of the United States Official Postal Guide. This is published in the form of a cloth bound volume in July of each year, and there are monthly supplements which keep detailed information and the official instructions up to date. The annual subscription to the Guide with supplements is $2.25 and the source of supply the Post Office Department, Washington, D. C. Shippers who are not in possession of the Official Postal Guide will always find it and its monthly supplements available for consultation at their local post offices.

The regulations affecting the dispatch of parcel post packages to foreign countries are numerous and vary with the different countries of destination. Sometimes regulations define the merchandise which is prohibited for transmission to certain countries. Occasionally there are instructions as to certain special packing which is obligatory as regards some commodities. Special sizes and weights of parcels which are allowed and the rates of postage which apply to shipments to all countries are

enumerated. In the case of a few countries parcel post packages may only be addressed to certain specified cities or post offices. Regulations also refer to the necessary customs declarations and in a few instances to the consular invoices which must accompany packages shipped by parcel post. All of these instructions will be found clearly set forth in the Official Postal Guide under the heading of the countries of destination, and should be carefully investigated in the case of each parcel post shipment.

When to Use Foreign Parcel Post.-In general, small quantities of merchandise may preferably be forwarded by foreign parcel post whenever individual units of shipment come within the weight limits of 11 pounds, or 22 pounds, or whatever the official limit may be for the country of destination. Individual units, or any combination of them, can be packed in a parcel, the weight of which must not exceed the official limit. Any number of such parcels can be dispatched to cover the quantity to be forwarded. Up to a certain point it will usually be found cheaper to forward limited quantities of merchandise by parcel post than by freight or by the so-called "foreign expresses," and as has above been hinted, parcel post shipments arrive as promptly, to say the least, as do freight shipments. When, however, it is a question of shipping a considerable quantity of merchandise, the point will ultimately be reached when freight rates or "foreign express" rates for the quantity of merchandise in question will compare more than favorably with the parcel post charges. In this connection it is to be borne in mind, that in some countries there is a delivery charge imposed on the consignee applying to each parcel post package in addition to the United States postage which has been prepaid, and in some countries there is a surtax which the consignee must pay, in the case of Australia amounting to 12 cents per parcel, over and above other charges. Considerations such as these may affect the shipper's choice of the means by which he will forward his goods to the best satisfaction of his customer.