CUSTOMS BROKERS AND CLERKS are taking issue with some Customs and Port fee increases.

They are also worried about some aspects of operations at the Customs and Excise Department.

A statement issued by the Customs Brokers and Clerks Association of Barbados last Friday said these problems were going to impact on the import and export industries.

"The association understands the need for all to be profitable but finds it worrying that the consumer is constantly faced with charges which seem unreasonably high and . . . freight handlers collect fees which are additional to profit sharing and other fees already being paid by the shippers overseas," the group said.

It stated that the Barbados Port Inc. had increased its storage charges from $10 to $12.50, while Customs and Excise had increased its amendments fees from $20 to $200, even for a typographical error, spelling mistake or missing digit.

The brokers and clerks said they understood that the role of Customs and Excise was to protect Government revenue and enforce compliance with the law and their members were trying to assist the department in carrying out that function, but the process was being dragged because of certain shortfalls.

"The systems being used for the release of containers and for the processing of documents at the Bridgetown office are especially inefficient," they complained.

"The new ASYCUDA++ computer system is there to modernise the department's functions, but in too many sections of the department the newer, more efficient processes have not been adopted."

There was no response from the Customs Department to the charges made against it, while a senior official at Barbados Port Inc. said management would issue a statement on the matter this week.
(WB/DG)