Notably, the import/ export website price listings are only the declared values for customs purposes, and usually are not accurate reflections of actual market price.
Even adding duties and taxes, overhead cost, markups and other variable costs, the declared value of the fire trucks would not reach or go any closer to the contract amounts.
The total declared value of the permits is higher than it was before the downturn, $459 million last year versus $427 million in 2008, adjusted for inflation, suggesting higher construction costs.
This has occurred by way of contracting pre-shipment inspection agencies, which examine the cargo and verify the declared value before importation occurs.
