831.24/549: Airgram
The Ambassador in Venezuela ( Corrigan ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 29—4 p.m.]
A–124. Embassy’s telegram No. 147, February 5 [6], 9 p.m., Department’s telegram No. 80, February 9, 10 p.m.11 Import Control Commission desires to issue Import Recommendations for all shipments valued at $25 or less. Reasons given are (1) that such action will prevent splitting of orders in order to circumvent Import Recommendation procedure, (2) that control will thereby be complete over importations of non-essentials, and (3) that difficulties will not be experienced in regard to exceptions specified in Comprehensive Export Schedule No. 11,12 on pages 78, 79, and 80. Although inclusion of all shipments valued at $25 or less will entail additional work, nevertheless, it is considered that a flood of small orders will be placed in the United States valued at less than $25 each if control is not exercised. Furthermore, issuance of Import Recommendations for small orders creates possibility of screening to determine whether consignee and ultimate purchaser are acceptable. After importers become familiar with Import Recommendation procedure control over small orders might then be withdrawn.
Current Export Bulletin No. 79, Item No. 11, under “A”, states that general licenses will not be cancelled for shipments valued at $25 or less. If Commission is permitted to use Import Recommendations for such shipments general licenses should be cancelled. Everything considered Embassy recommends that Commission be allowed to use Import Recommendations for all shipments valued at $25 or less. Prompt reply urgently requested.