NIT LEAGUE PLANS FURTHER REVIEW OF CENSUS’ FREIGHT COST DATA REQUIREMENT

   The National Industrial Transportation League says it will continue its
review of the U.S. Census Bureau’s requirement for shippers to file their
freight cost data.
   The Arlington, Va.-based shipper group recently met with Census
officials to explain how the agency’s freight cost data regulations
conflict with the rules of the new Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
   "We were told by Census again that this information is required by law,"
said Peter J. Gatti, director of policy for the NIT League. "The Census
requirements in effect run contrary to what was intended by OSRA."
   The Ocean Shipping Reform Act allows shippers to create confidential
service contracts. But Census says it still requires freight costs data for
its trade statistics. That information is often collected from customs
brokers through Customs on behalf of Census. The fear among shippers is
that brokers may leak this information to competitors.
   "Our next step is to determine from our members if this is indeed a
serious problem," Gatti said. "If so, it may require us to seek changes."
   NIT League plans to analyze the issue further during its annual meeting
in San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 14-17.