BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE relocation of the Courier Office to the Customs Headquarters at Bird Rock is expected to yield numerous benefits and is a move to keep up with the demands of e-commerce, according to Minister of International Trade Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the courier facility at the RLB International Airport was moved to Bird Rock, and in a press release issued by Harris, he noted that the new courier facility would result in “quantum leaps in the level of service and infrastructure”.
Harris explained that the arrival hall at the airport had become inadequate to accommodate the increasing volumes of cargo traffic via courier, adding that the implosion of e-commerce in the Federation increased the need for the relocation.
“The new courier facility meets the state-of-the-art standard and is equipped for the timely and efficient processing of all cargo. With the prevalence and preponderance of the notion of ‘Just In Time Inventory’ being utilised by businesses, and aided by an insatiable appetite of the wider populace for internet purchasing, and the concept of direct buying to eliminate the middle man, the old operation at the Airport had to give way, sooner rather than later,” quoted Harris in an October 30 press statement.
In 2007, representatives of the Security Advisory Committee of Cricket World Cup had noted that processing courier shipments in the Passenger Arrival Hall was “compromising and dangerous” to the safety of both the travelers and shipments. The former facility also saw problems including theft, damage and wrong deliveries.
The new facility would therefore bring enormous benefits, according to Harris, the space would be used only for passenger processing, thereby speeding up the clearance process.
“In terms of the courier cargo itself, we will no doubt witness quicker examination, payment and release features as the goods will be much more speedily identified and retrieved for Customs processing,” Harris said.
He added that the ability to obtain intelligence relative to the importation of contraband goods, and the capacity to unearth such goods will be greatly improved by the functioning of this facility.
Courier packages from DHL, UPS, EZONE, and NR Sales/Zipx will be processed from the new location at the Customs Headquarters at Bird Rock. The new opening hours are Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and on Saturdays 10:00 AM. To 4:00 P.M.
