Customs officials and the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry have discussed some new and far-reaching initiatives. Some of them will be most helpful to the business community, the public, and the Customs Department, resulting in a win-win situation for all concerned. Other initiatives may even be of a surprising nature, but calculated for the good and safety of Anguilla.
The many initiatives were outlined by the island’s progressive thinking Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Travis Carty. He, and other senior Customs personnel, including his Deputy, Mr. Glenn Hodge, met with the President of the Chamber, Mr. Ke
ithley Lake, other executives and members, at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Wednesday, October 12. Mr. Lake expressed appreciation to the Customs Department for inviting the Chamber to the meeting and likewise invited everyone to an important press conference which the private sector organisation planned for Friday, October 14.
Among other matters, most of the initiatives, explained by the Comptroller of Customs, will provide for a faster handling and release of imported goods. This includes ensuring that brokers complete their customs entry forms correctly thus preventing the cluttering up of the warehouse. There is even a planned initiative whereby arriving passengers, bound for hotels, can move more quickly through the ports – thanks to a task force. Many of the initiatives which, because of limited press time cannot be detailed here were applauded by the business persons at the meeting.
Many persons were surprised to hear that customs have been dealing with containers with food items unfit for human consumption and preventing such unhealthy and low-grade imports from reaching consumers. It was also reported that there has been concern about containers with likely imports of contraband items (like drugs if not firearms) and hydro-peroxide, though while suitable for household purposes, is said to be used for bomb-making by terrorists now manifesting themselves everywhere. It has been arranged for a special area to be designated for containers to allow customs officials the opportunity to properly inspect their contents.
The customs personnel are aware that this arrangement can cause delays in the release of goods as well as difficulties for importers obli
ged to travel some distance from their business place. That matter, however, is to be weighed against the need to ensure both the safety of the island from contraband items as well as food security in terms of food not fit for human consumption.
Further information on the new customs initiatives will be given in another edition of The Anguillian.
