This notice supersedes EOD-110 dated May 10, 2002. In accordance with applicable laws, steamship companies must load only clean, undamaged packaged commodities and execute an ocean bill of lading accurately reflecting the number of units loaded. The steamship line must not load bags or shipping containers deemed damaged beyond repair into any vessel hold, barge, or container. Any commodities that have been subject to detrimental or unsanitary conditions will not be accepted for loading. Examples of detrimental or unsanitary conditions include, but are not limited to, bags or cartons soiled with hydraulic fluid, paint, grease, rodent or bird excrement, and/or dust/dirt.
Damaged bags or corrugated fiberboard shipping containers may be recoopered according to the following package-specific requirements:
1. Flour Packaged in Woven Polypropylene Bags
a. Bags containing flour are considered “damaged beyond repair” if there is any tear or hole that allows the flour to flow from the bag.
b. Bags that contain flour may not be sewn or over-slipped with another bag.
c. Bags are not to be repaired with tape of any variety.
d. Flour cannot be swept up and repackaged.
2. Bulgur, Rice, or Peas, Beans and Lentils (PBLs) Packaged in Woven Polypropylene Bags - Damaged bags that contain bulgur, rice, or PBLs must be rejected or recoopered under the following conditions:
a. Bags with small punctures that permit the commodity to flow from the bag may be recoopered by sewing or stitching if, after being repaired, the bagged product weighs at least 100 pounds. The repaired bag must be weighed in the presence of the Vessel Loading Observation (VLO) observer.
b. Bulgur, rice, or PBLs in bags with a significant tear or hole must be rejected or re-bagged under the following conditions:
(1) Replacement bags must meet the construction standards of the bag being replaced.
(2) Replacement bag markings must be identical to the bag being replaced including contract number, lot number, and program markings.
(3) Gross weight after re-bagging must be 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
(4) The VLO observers must witness re-bagging and weighing of bulgur, rice, or PBLs.
c. Bags that contain bulgur, rice, or PBLs may not be over-slipped with another bag.
d. Bags are not to be repaired with tape of any variety.
e. Bulgur, rice or PBLs cannot be swept up and repackaged.
3. Bagged Whole Grains Packaged in Woven Polypropylene Bags
a. Bags with small punctures permitting the commodity to flow from the bag must be rejected or recoopered. A bag may be recoopered by sewing or stitching, if after being repaired, the bag weighs at least 100 pounds.
b. Bags with a significant tear or hole must be rejected. The commodity may be re-bagged if the:
(1) Replacement bags meet the construction standards of the bag being replaced.
(2) Replacement bag markings are identical to the bag being replaced including the same contract number, lot number, and program markings.
(3) Gross weight after re-bagging must be 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
c. Bags that contain whole grains may not be over-slipped with another bag.
d. Bags are not to be repaired with tape of any variety.
e. Whole grains cannot be swept up and repackaged.
4. Commodities Packaged in 25kg Multi-Wall Hybrid Bags
a. Bags are considered “damaged beyond repair” if there is any tear or hole that allows the commodity to flow from the bag.
b. Bags containing these commodities may not be sewn or over-slipped with another bag.
c. Bags are not to be repaired with tape of any variety.
d. Commodities cannot be swept up and repackaged.
5. Vegetable Oil Packaged in 6/4-, 20-, and 208-Liter Capacity Containers
Leaking vegetable oil containers and stained, corrugated fiberboard shipping containers must not be loaded. Steamship lines have the following options:
a. Leaking 20-liter pails and 208-liter drums must be replaced with clean, sound pails or drums with original markings provided by the vegetable oil supplier.
b. Options for handling heavily stained shipping containers for 6/4-liter containers are as follows:
(1) The shipping container and its contents must be replaced with a shipping container with identical markings provided by the vegetable oil supplier, or
(2) The stained shipping container may be opened and the sound, undamaged primary containers removed and repackaged into clean, sound shipping containers sealed with glue. The replacement shipping container must have identical markings as the original shipping container.
c. Vegetable oil that is packaged in damaged shipping containers that cannot be replaced or reworked as outlined in paragraphs 5a and 5b is considered damaged beyond repair and must not be loaded.
6. Timing
a. Containerized Cargo – When loading containers, bags shall be recouped the day the damage occurs.
b. Breakbulk cargo - When bags are loading via spiralveyor, the recouping should be completed continuously while other bags are on the spiralveyor, as crew and VLO inspectors are present, same day as damage occurs.
When bags are loaded via conventional load, the recouping should be completed toward the end of the loading day, same day as damage occurs.
Any commodities not loaded must be destroyed or disposed of in accordance with applicable health and sanitation laws and regulations. The cost for removing the commodity shall be for the account of the steamship company.
The steamship company shall take the necessary action to prevent the appearance in commercial or other channels, of primary containers, shipping containers, and container materials bearing US Government markings. The following actions with respect to all inner and outer containers, shipping containers, and container materials will constitute compliance with this requirement:
1. Complete obliteration of all markings with permanent opaque paint, or removal of labels which bear such markings, and overlaying or replacing such markings so obliterated, or
2. Placing a transparent pressure-sensitive sticker on all primary containers, shipping containers, and container materials bearing USDA markings which states in prominent-sized lettering, Salvage By (insert firm’s name) and directly on the NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED legend, wherever it appears on the primary containers, shipping containers and container materials, or
3. Drawing one or more “Xs” completely through all markings and adding a permanent stamp conspicuously placing thereon the following legend: This container has not been used and shall not be used for shipment of Government commodities, or
4. Any other actions approved by the USDA contracting officer that accomplishes the intent of the foregoing.
Please direct questions concerning this Notice to the International Commodity Procurement Division at (816) 926-6707.
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