ITALY. GENERAL TARIFF OF ITALY. REPORT OF CONSUL CRAIN, OF MILAN. I inclose herewith a schedule of Italian import and export duties now in force. The duties entitled "general" are those of the Italian general tariff'; those designated "conventional" are prescribed by the treaty of commerce between Italy and Austria-Hungary, and are applicable to merchandise from all countries which by treaty with Italy have "the treatment of the most favored nations." The following is a résumé of the several acts by which this schedule of duties was established: At the expiration of the special customs treaties which had existed between Italy and France, Austria and Switzerland, the Italian Parliament, by the law of May 30, 1878, enacted the general tariff. By the treaty of commerce concluded between Italy and Austria-Hungary December 27, 1878, many import duties were modified and some export duties abolished. The last-mentioned duties were also abolished in the general tariff by the law of January 31, 1879, by which the said treaty was approved. The same law also abolished the import duty on dried chicory, and gave power to the Executive to reform the general tariff as to hemp, flax, and jute, which was done by the royal decree of January 31, 1879. By the law of July 25, 1879, the general tariff was modified as to sugars, confectionery, preserves, chocolate, coffee, pepper, and cinnamon, and on citrons and limes, though preserved in salt water. By the act of July 19, 1880, the import duties on mineral and rosin oils were increased, and by a law of July 23, 1881, the export duties on cattle, sheep, goats, swine, fresh meat, poultry, and cheese were abolished. The labor of compiling the schedule has been considerable, inasmuch as no reprint in the Italian text contains the modifications introduced by Italian legislation since 1879. I inclose the latest Government reprint, in which it will be observed I have noted these modifications. I deem it important to direct attention to certain internal taxes on manufactures, termed "sopratasse," which are extended to the same articles when imported, as follows: By a law of September 25, 1870, a tax of 4 francs per hectoliter is imposed on "aerated waters." By act of June 3, 1874, amended July 19, 1880, the heavy tax of 60 centimes per degree and per hectoliter is imposed on alcohol in casks or barrels, and for alcohol in bottles the tax is 42 centimes per liter. By the same law of June 3, 1874, a tax of 9.60 lire per hectoliter is imposed on beer, with the option, however, to the importer to pay 60 centimes per degree and per hectoliter instead." The law of June 3, 1874, amended by that of July 26, 1874, establishes a "sopratassa" of 30 lire the quintal on chicory. By the law of May 30, 1878, the 10 per cent. war duty, 5 per cent. for warding dues, and statistic rights were abolished. As the conventional tariff negotiated by the commissioners of France and Italy has as yet been ratified by neither nation, and as its fate is altogether uncertain, I have not thought it useful to consider it. I transmit to the Department by book post (on account of their size and weight) the following printed documents, viz: Law of May 30, 1878, embodying the "tariffa generale;" law of January 31, 1879, embodying and giving execution to the treaty of commerce and navigation of De cember 27, 1878, between Italy and Austria Hungary; royal decree of January 31, 1879; law of July 25, 1879; and law of July 19, 1880. DUNHAM J. CRAIN, UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Milan, March 11, 1882. Consul. Schedule of Italian duties on imports and exports. * Besides this tax, the duty of importation and manufacture must be paid for two liters of spirits for every kilogram of ether or chloroform. Schedule of Italian duties on imports and exports-Continued. Articlos. CATEGORY II.-Colonials, groceries, and to 12 13 Sugar: Molasses Molasses, unrefined, intended for manufacture of shoemakers' wax or other similar uses, pays 1 franc the quintal, according to rules established by the minister of finance. Refined, in loaf or crushed... All sugars are deemed refined which are purer than sample No. 20 Holland. 14 Sweetmeats and preserves, with sugar or honey. 15 Tea biscuits.. 16 Sirups: For beverages.. Sirups containing medicinal substances are classed as medical compounds. Ficola Schedule of Italian duties on imports and exports—Continued. Medicaments compounded, not named (with out deducting weight of vessels con- Classed as medicaments compounded are Gums, rosins, and gummy substances: 58 59 Sealing-wax.. do 30.00 30.00 60 letter. Number and Schedule of Italian duties on imports and exports-Continued. 78 Textures of raw jute.... do 20.00 The least tax that tissues of jute can pay is that of 20 lire, as the special tax for packing stuffs is not extended to it. 79 Tissues of jute of whatever kind. Same as linen and hemp textures, according to quality. To these tissues, mixed, as well as those of the sixth and seventh categories, is applicable the duty of the material which dominates in weight over the other, and in case the weight is equal, the duty of the most taxed material. 80 Textures of flax and hemp together, not hav- 81 For packing, girths, and tubes. Dyed, or manufactured with dyed yarn.. have over 5 threads in the warp in the Raw, bleached or mixed with white.. 57.75 57.75 Tinted or made with colored thread.. ..do 90.00 90.00 *The conventional duties never apply to jute. |