B-94628, MAR. 10, 1958

INC.: FURTHER REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF MARCH 5. YOUR SUGGESTED THAT A CERTAIN PACKING AND SHIPPING FIRM WAS PERFORMING A MAJORITY OF SUCH WORK IN THIS AREA ALTHOUGH ITS PRICES EXCEEDED THOSE OF ITS COMPETITORS FOR SIMILAR WORK. WITH THE REPORT THERE WAS TRANSMITTED A COPY OF INSTRUCTION NO. WHICH WAS DIRECTED TO ALL AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS. IN THE REPORT IT IS STATED THAT SEVERAL PAST ATTEMPTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO HANDLE THE MATTER OF PACKING AND CRATING ON A CONTRACT BASIS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. IT IS STATED FURTHER THAT EXPORT PACKING IS ONLY ONE ELEMENT OF THE COST OF SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS. THE EFFECT OF THE INSTRUCTION IS TO REQUIRE THAT EACH SHIPMENT BE HANDLED SEPARATELY.