t 
THE FOREIGN SERVICE 
OF THE 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
American Cons e G^eral) 
Leopoldville ; Belgian Congo > 
May 11, 1955. 
Dr* Waldo L* Schmitt, 
c/o Mr, Vanhee, 
C<»itz*olle\ir des Douanes, 
Usumbura* 
Dear Dr* Schmitt: 
Mr* Yost called on the Director of Customs again this morning, 
at the request of the Director, to discuss your case. 
The Director stated that there was absolutely nothing anyone 
could do to relieve you of yom* responsibility vis-a-vis the Customs 
and that you will definitely have to pay duty on any of yoia: declared 
goods that are left in the Congo. There is no discreticai permitted 
by the existing legislation, even in the case of scientific parties* 
However, jrou may feel freer about two items: (l) There will be no 
tax on your film exposed in the Congo; all srou have to do is present 
the same amount, either exposed or unexposed, upon leaving as you 
declared on entering (less the amotmt marked off the transit document 
as having gone out by pouch) and there will be no Customs charges 
to pay on any of it* (2) There is no import duty on books, so your 
acarology texts can ccxse in free. 
The Director advised us to have you get in touch with the 
”Controlleur des Douanes” at Custcxns headquarters in Usumbura, Mr* 
VANHEE, and pi*esent all the Customs documents in your possessi^ 
to him* Ordinaidly, if you followed yo\ir previously determined 
itinerary, you wo\J.d pass throu^ Customs on leaving Belgian terri- 
tory at Kaki-Tumba on the Ruanda-Uganda border, but since that post 
might not have enough money on hand to refund your deposits, Mr* 
Vanhee, to whcmi the Director here is writing, will do iidiat he can 
to help you* 
I am Sony that of the efforts made on yoiu* behalf have not 
proven more helpful, but there seems to be no way at all of tendering 
the Customs law in this matter, I am making a full report of your 
e^eiiences to the appropriate authorities in Washington in order 
to serve as a guide to other scientific parties that contemplate 
working in the Congo* 
With very best wishes. 
Sincerely, 
American Consul General 
