Reports and Correspondence Relating to Persia, Including Trade and Trade Routes in Persia [‎32v] (64/252)

6o
REPORT ON TRADE OF PERSIA.
Goods declared for transit are warehoused at Bagdad free for 3 0 days in
the Customs, after which dues are—
Per day up to 7 days, 1 raij piastre per day } p er package not exceeding
From 7th to 14th day, 2 „ „ £ 112 kilos.
„ 14th to 21st „ 3 , f „ J
Per package not exceeding 224 kilos, double the above rates.
„ exceeding 224 kilos, treble the above rates.
Traders can hire godowns from the Customs at a monthly rent on more
moderate terms.
The importers sell to the native merchants trading with Persia, but many
native merchants, particularly Jews, deal direct with Manchester.
There are two caravan routes to Kermanshah— vtd Khanikin and vid
Mendeli. The latter is not used, being considered unsafe.
On the Khanikin route there is a wagon service for passengers as far as
Shahraban (58 miles), and a good wagon road could be made to the frontier
at moderate expense
Transport of merchandise is by mule caravan in winter. Rates are usually
lower in summer, when camels compete for freight.
On the Persian side, the charvadar’s way-bill is checked at a Customs
post on the frontier, and the merchandise passes the Customs at Kermanshah.
Previous to the Belgian administration, Customs duty at Kermanshah was
nominally 2 per cent., but really 1 to i-J per cent, ad valorem.
The Customs at Sinna are under the Kermanshah administration.
The greater part of the goods cleared at Kermanshah are destined for
Hamadan, and transport is usually engaged from Bagdad to Hamadan.
The Kermanshah region grows splendid wheat crops at so low a price as
to endure the costly transport to the sea-board at Busreh. It is most regret-
able that agricultural progress in this region has been hindered by excessive
taxation and vexatious regulations.
Tabriz.
The Customs- Returns for
of imports and exports :—
1902-03 give the following figures as values
1902-03.
Imports
Exports
£
1,238,331
724,584
Trade through Astara pays Customs duty there, but merchandise through
Julfa and Khoi can be examined at Tabriz. A charge of 6 shahis per package
is made on exports from Tabriz for “plombage ,, to the frontier. Exports
through Russia must be accompanied by a declaration of origin, and the
Customs charge krs. 9 for attesting each declaration.
The ad valorem charge of'one per cent, on goods in transit through
I urkey has been abolished on the Trebizond route since 1873. It is levied
however, at Constantinople on merchandise from Persia landed there for
re-expo, tation. (See Annex F, p. 83, extract from letter from Mr Lon^-
worth, Trebizond.) s
Jracie usages, Lredits, &c.
The Tabriz traders, through their representatives in Constantinople are
much more in contact with Continental manufacturers than traders in other
parts of Persia. British cotton goods have not met with much competition
from the Continent, but in silks and woollens the large croDorf-inn nf
Continental goods.,s marked. The Persian trader gets long Sof from
four to eight months m Constantinople from Continental manufacturers.
Ihese bills are drawn and made payable in Constantinople. Former!v thev
were drawn on the Icbriz merchant and sent to Tabriz for collection. J 1