Ok, but is there a possibility of there being a loophole here? Could you transfer cargo without a port? Is it required to use a different ship to be considered as coming from that island, or is there something equivalent to changing the flag and sailing onwards?

I’m assuming that the explanation is just covering up incompetence (and providing an excuse that passes if you don’t use critical thinking skills), but that’s only my assumption. Much of my knowledge about international shipping zones from Wendover videos, so I know I’m no expert.