Non-American forwarders protest FMC discrimination in easing rules

ANGRY forwarders outside the US have protested discrimination by Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) when onerous rules were eased for Americans firms, but not for them.


The FMC exempted domestic non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCC) from the obligation of maintaining tariffs, but retained the obligation for foreign firms.


Christopher Gillespie, chairman of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) educational affiliate, said not exempting foreign firms puts them at a competitive disadvantage.


"Foreign NVOCCs are also disadvantaged by more stringent bond posting requirements than US licence holders," Mr Gillespie said.


Said FIATA president Jean-Claude Delen: "We have long protested the discrimination against NVOCCs in the USA, especially with respect to tariff publication and bond posting requirements. We also continue to be concerned over the issue of data confidentiality in dealings with the USA."
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)