Violations, what violations?

EVERYBODY KNOWS CUSTOMS OFFICIALS IN Latin America can be strict when it comes to requirements for ships pulling into port, but Brazil's port of Sao Sabastiao, just a few hours from Sao Paulo, may just be the toughest of them all.

According to a recent Maritime Security Council report, two health inspectors cited a ship for the expiration dates on three jars of mustard, a packet of cheese and a bottle of medicine. They also found flies near waste bins, but indicated the dispute could be settled with a cash payment of US$1,000. The captain whittled the price down to $800. The ship was cleared.

The council--an international agency of shipping lines and shippers that tracks, reports and tries to eliminate port bribery and abuse--says any further incidents will be taken up with the Brazilian government.

Of course, that depends upon the irregularities getting reported in the first place. Ship captains say they often just cough up cash or, more often, expensive liquor to clear their vessels. One captain, who reportedly refused to offer booze or bucks at the Brazilian port of Santos a few years ago, said customs officials seized an expensive new communications system that the ship had not properly declared.