File No. 774/587–588.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, January 5,
1909.
No. 1078.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 1027, of
October 15, 1908,2 I have the
honor to inclose herewith copy of the regulations issued
[Page 96]
by the imperial maritime customs, effective
from January 1 of this year, governing the importation of morphia and
instruments for its injection.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
customs notifications no. — morphia
regulations.
On and after the 1st of January, 1909, the manufacture in China by
Chinese and foreigners of morphia and of syringes, needles, and such
like instruments for its use, is absolutely prohibited; and the
importation of the same into China by Chinese and foreigners is
likewise prohibited, except in the case of duly qualified foreign
medical practitioners and foreign chemists and druggists complying
with the following conditions:
- (1)
- Duly qualified foreign medical practitioners desiring to
import morphia and (or) instruments for its use must sign a
bond before their consul stating the quantities to be
imported and their values, the place whence arriving and the
method of importation, whether by steamer (the name of which
must be given), rail, or post, and guaranteeing that these
articles will be employed for medicinal purposes only,
either in their private practice or in some specified
hospital. Upon the consul forwarding the bond to the
customhouse a special landing permit will be issued after
payment of duty.
- (2)
- Foreign chemists and druggists desiring to import morphia
and (or) instruments for its use must sign a bond before
their consul stating the quantities to be imported and their
value, the place whence arriving and the method of
importation, whether by steamer (the name of which must be
given), rail, or post, and guaranteeing that these articles
will be used exclusively in the compounding of prescriptions
or sold in small quantities only on the requisition of a
duly qualified foreign medical practitioner. Upon the consul
forwarding the bond to the customhouse a special landing
permit will be issued after payment of duty.
- (3)
- Any such importer of morphia and (or) instruments for its
use found dealing with or selling such, otherwise than in
accordance with the terms of his bond, will not be permitted
to make any further importation.
- (4)
- All morphia and (or) instruments for its use landed
without customs special permit will be confiscated.
- (5)
- Duty on morphia and instruments for its use imported under
the above provisions will be levied at the reduced rate of 5
per cent ad valorem.
- (6)
- Morphia and (or) instruments for its use shipped to China
by foreign merchants from foreign ports before 1st January,
1909, may be landed under the old regulations during a
period after that date, the limit of which will be fixed in
every instance by the customhouse concerned according to the
date of shipment and the distance of the port whence
shipped. Any morphia so landed under the old rules must pay
duty at the present tariff rate without reduction.
The necessary blank bond forms will be issued by the customs on
application free of charge.
By order received through the inspector general of customs.
------------,
Commissioner of
Customs.
Custom
House,
------------, 1908.
