Consequently, direct shipments are made now from the countries of production to those of consumption.
In 1880 the value of imports from the United States was $2,086,000, that of exports to the United States was $4,606,000; in 1907 the value of shipments of domestic merchandise from the United States to Hawaii was.
The exports are chiefly oxen, meat, fowls and eggs for Gibraltar and sometimes for Spain, with occasional shipments of slippers and blankets to Egypt.
In the Italian ports the number of shipments was still greater - especially in Venice, whence the regular passagium started twice a year.
In April 1906 the first pipe lines for petroleum in Illinois were laid; before that time all shipments had been in tank cars.