Control ports were often very overcrowded, teleprinters constantly sending out cargo listings and manifests to be checked against import quota lists.

Most of those on board possessed the right of eventual entry into the United States, and had therefore been ascribed a number on the US quota list.

Diplomats from the Scandinavian nations, as well as Italy and the Balkan countries, who were also major suppliers to Germany, were given quota lists of various commodities and told they could import these amounts and no more, or action would be taken against them.