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Marketing procedure 
The contract us3d in selling Yugoslav prunes is comparatively 
simple. The general terms state that the prunes shall be sound, well 
dried, good average quality, f stated crop year, gross for net shipped 
in suitable jute b s, and of either Bosnian or Serbian origin, prunes 
in boxes must be "dobbel etuviert", and-, the stated weight of the box 
must be the net weight. Prune jam must be free of scorched fruit and 
pits and must be packed in new barrels or kegs. Space is left in the 
contract for condition of sale, price and responsibility. Shipping 
terms are left at sellers option up to a specified day. Tolerance is 
2 per cent against Yugoslav loading weight. Delivery may be either by 
rail or water, unless definitely specified. Payment must be made upon 
presentation of documents attached to draft. A court of arbitration 
is provided for at the point of delivery to determine penalties in case 
of faulty goods. The decision of this court must be accepted by the 
shipper. The contract provides for the inspection of the goods upon 
arrival for ouality, weight and count. 
The Hamburg "'.'.'arenverein 11 has set up the following rules: 
Samples shall be taken out of either ten bags or twenty boxes per car- 
load. On sizes 60/55, 70/75 and 60/85, if delivered prior to December 
31, tolerance for' count is '6 points, per .j kilogram (1.1 pound). On 
sizes 90/95 and smaller tolerance is 4 points. For delivery after 
December 31, tolerance is increased by 2 points per | kilogram. If 
count exceeds the tolerance the buyer deducts the difference proportion- 
ally between delivery points and next grade. All prunes sold on count 
must have been graded. The penalty is determined by the market pr:ce 
on the day prunes arrived. If count is ten per cent above normal the 
lots -?re not deliverable. 
Documents generally consist of the Bill of Lading, Insurance 
Certificate and Inspection Certificate. The inspection certificate, 
however, is not . recognized by the trade. It is issued by the Yugoslav 
G-overnment before the goods are allowed to leave the country. Inspec- 
tion therefore is after arrival and not at source. The contiact pro- 
vides no protection for seller in case crop losses are severe and general, 
unless such conditions are written in. The buying back of contracts or 
penalties for non-delivery, therefore, are quite common. It is customary 
to refer cases of non-delivery to the Export association of the Board rl 
Merchants and Exporters in Belgrade, whose judgement is final. Just ice tobuyers 
is influenced by a desire of the Belgrade merchants to retain the good 
will of the export trade. 
Since there is no protection against severe and unavoidable losses 
to the crop, the selling of futures involves a great deal of risk. The 
crop year 1923 was particularly unsatisfactory in this respect. Not on 1 
was there much complaint as to quality in import markets with conseouent 
penalties, but crop losses in both Oregon and Yugoslavia advanced growers 
