Roadtown, Tortola - Fifteen members of the shipping industry and agents will participate tomorrow in a Trade Symposium hosted by Her Majesty’s (HM) Customs in collaboration with the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority.

The half-day conference will be held on Wednesday, April 29 at the Treasure Isle Hotel from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Comptroller of Customs Mr. Wade Smith told the Department of Information and Public Relations the objective is to inform and educate the ports users and customers.  “The objectives of the symposium are to inform the ports users and customers of new policies that are coming on-stream, the enforcement of existing policies and to enhance voluntary compliance.  The symposium will give the participants the opportunity to ask questions and become familiar with ports and customs policies,” Mr. Smith added.

He also said that these types of events serve as a vehicle to foster continuous partnership with the trade community and the BVI Ports Authority.

Mr. Smith said effective June 1, 2009 every cargo vessel arriving at a port of entry from any foreign destination and carrying goods from outside the Territory and not yet cleared on importation, must submit a cargo manifest to the Comptroller in accordance with Cap. 104 section 12 of the Customs Ordinance.

The topics to be discussed at this symposium will include breaking bulk without customs permission; preparation of outward cargo manifest; procedures for dealing with in transit cargo; issuance of port clearance and compliance to International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and Practice.

Her Majesty’s Customs' mission is to safeguard the well-being and security of the territory by facilitating legitimate trade, enforcing import and export regulations and conducting covert and overt surveillance of the BVI’s waters.