Does the new Customs Act contravene int’l trade + shipping agreements? Maersk seems to think so. The shipping line’s Egypt arm blasted the recently-passed Customs Act, claiming in a memo to the Alexandria Chamber of Shipping that some articles of the law breach international trade agreements Egypt has ratified, including the UN Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea, according to Al Mal. Maersk, the largest shipping company in the world, accounts for some 30% of activity in Egypt’s ports.

What’s Maersk unhappy with? Its biggest complaint is that the law holds shipping lines accountable for incorrect information on shipments, and liable for any damage or loss of goods being shipped. The company is also unhappy with the idea of having to keep customs documents on file for a five-year period; objects to a provision that imposes a monthly levy equivalent to 2% of the customs rate on containers admitted to Egypt’s ports ahead of re-export (allegedly in violation of the UN Convention on Containers (pdf)); and claims it would be an “abuse” of authority for customs agents to be able to raid shipping lines’ local agents without obtaining warrants or providing prior notice.