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BY PHILIP HAMILTON Observer writer [email protected]
Saturday, October 03, 2009
THE Jamaica Customs Department will on Monday introduce a new system that will allow qualified importers to receive their goods the same day they arrive in the island.
According to Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) system - which automatically provides faster customs clearance to qualified importers clearing goods - marks the start of several initiatives being introduced by the department to facilitate easier transactions between itself and the island's importers.
"The AEO system is about knowing who your importer is, and creating a green line, one that when you submit your documents, you will get them back immediately so you can pay the duty and then proceed to the port in a very expedited system to get your cargo. Our goal is that if the cargo arrives today, you can have it the same day, and I believe that is very achievable," said Walker.
Walker, who was speaking Thursday at the eighth annual customs seminar staged by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce in Kingston, noted that customs had also made changes to its pre-arrival system which allows importers to submit their documents for processing 10 days prior to the arrival of their cargo.
"If when you're finished, the ship hasn't arrived, the day comes and you haven't paid the duty before, they would cancel the document, and you would start over," Walker said. "No more of that, said Walker. When you're ready to pay it, you pay it and you take your cargo. There's no reason now for anyone not to use the pre-arrival system."
Walker also issued a warning for persons who may try to bypass the new system, which he said will also promote transparency and efficiency - the two greatest enemies of corruption.
"With the AEO, when you submit your AEO entry and shortly all entries, you immediately send an e-mail to the importer telling the total amount of CIF being imported, and total duty payable so they know an entry has been submitted and passed by customs. I'm giving this warning to persons who use it as an excuse to say entries are stuck in customs. Those excuses will no longer work and they will have to find new excuses," he said, adding that under the new system, persons who incur storage costs could no longer blame his department.
Meanwhile, Walker said that the Customs Department was working closely with Kingston Wharves, and the Kingston Container Terminals to streamline certain procedures.
He, however, warned that persons could experience a few "hitches" when the new system is implemented on Monday, but said any problem would be resolved before the Christmas rush.
"We want to make sure that it is as painless a period on our side as possible. Customs is pro-business and in partnership with the ports, the brokers and the importing community to make sure that doing business in Jamaica gets easier and easier," Walker said.