811.841 Russia/51

The Soviet Chargé (Skvirsky) to the Acting Secretary of State

Sir: Referring to your note of November 20, 1933, I wish to inform you that in accordance with the Soviet Statute on Port Duties of February [Page 41] 19, 1926, there are two categories of tonnage duties in ports of the U. S. S. R—ordinary and preferential. The preferential duties are levied on ships of countries having special agreements with the U. S. S. R. The People’s Commissariat for Water Transport, by agreement with the Peopled Commissariat for Foreign Affairs and the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Trade, may apply the preferential rate to countries having normal diplomatic relations with the U. S. S. R. In accordance with this statute the People’s Commissariat for Water Transport has issued Order No. 427, effective this day, November 21, 1933, which reads as follows:

“On the basis of Article 2 of the Statute on Port Duties, a tonnage duty of 10 kopeks per registered ton of net capacity is established, on a reciprocal basis, for vessels flying the flag of the United States of America.”

This duty of 10 kopeks constitutes the preferential rate. Thus beginning November 21, 1933, the vessels flying the flag of the United States of America have been accorded the preferential rate of tonnage duty. It may be added that no discriminating duties are levied in ports of the Soviet Union on produce, manufactures or merchandise imported in American vessels.38

Accept [etc.]

B. Skvirsky
  1. The Department, in its reply of January 29, 1934, informed the Soviet Ambassador of the reciprocal proclamation signed January 10, 1934, effective as of November 21, 1933 (811.841 Russia/59); for text of proclamation, see 48 Stat. 1729.