WAREHOUSING SYSTEM, the system by which goods liable to excise or customs duty are kept in warehouses without the duty being paid on them till they pass to. the con sumer or the retail dealer. Goods liable to duty are warehoused in a bonded warehouse, and are called goods in bond. The ports at which particular kinds of goods may be vvarehoused are determined; but the system has been gradu ally relaxed so as to admit of every important port being used for warehousing and even im portant inland towns are admitted as warehous ing centres. The warehouse is kept by a bonded storekeeper, who gives a bond of sufficient value and with satisfactory security to the gov ernment for the performance of his duties. When goods are warehoused by an importer in a bonded store they may be transferred by an order, addressed by the importer to the store keeper, to any other persons, the new owner assuming the responsibilities of the importer. Goods in a bonded store are always open to the inspection of the officers of customs and can Only be inspected by the owner in the presence of the proper officer. Any importer who fraud ulently gains access to goods stored by him without the presence of the proper officer is liable to a fine. Goods must be stored and re
main in store in their original packages, unless when permission is given before or after stor ing to sort or repack them. Any infringement of this regulation or of the regulations for storing or removing goods subjects to heavy penalties, commonly to the forfeiture of the goods. Goods umber bond may on application be removed at the expense of the owner as often as required from one warehouse to an other, or by coast or inland • carriage, from one port to another, being stored on the same terms in the new port or warehouse as in the old. The warehouse-keeper is bound to stort the goods so that easy access can be had to each package. The keeper of the warehouse is liable for the duly on any good.s taken out of the warehouse without proper authority; but if goods are improperly removed by a customs officer no duty is exigible. Goods which have been in warehouse for five years must be re warehoused or they are liable to be sold.