Roadtown, Tortola - Her Majesty’s Customs has announced that port users including agents and brokers will now have to deliver outgoing cargo to the ports two days in advance for inspection and that the department has made enforcement of existing policies a priority.

Comptroller of Customs Mr. Wade Smith and Assistant Comptroller for Enforcement Mr. Dean Fahie told the Department of Information and Public Relations, during a GIS Radio Report interview, that the procedure implemented at the ports specifies that outgoing cargo must be delivered to the ports two days prior to departure so that it can be inspected.  “This is something new we have embarked on because there is a lot of cargo leaving the Territory for which we need to have proper statistics and records,” Mr. Fahie said.

Both Messrs. Fahie and Smith concurred that it is a matter of national security and safety.  “This is necessary because we need to have a sound knowledge of what is leaving the Territory and the cargo must be properly manifested when it is going to foreign countries,” Mr. Fahie said.

The comptroller also said the inspection of cargo is also a matter of safety.  “If there is an accident with one of those vessels and we have to salvage the vessels or goods, the crew who will conduct the operation must know what is actually on these carriers so that they can be properly prepared and equipped,” Mr. Smith said.

Mr. Smith added that members of the trade community have been informed about the new procedure which is in collaboration with the BVI Ports Authority.  “We have been working very closely with the BVI Ports Authority and what we have realised is that some of the challenges that both agencies are experiencing are similar in nature and we must work hand in hand in order to combat some of them,” he said.

The comptroller said some of the challenging areas, which were also discussion items at a recent trade symposium, include but are not limited to breaking bulk without customs permission; preparation of outward cargo manifest; procedures for dealing with in transit cargo; issuance of port and customs clearance; roles of agents and brokers; process of tallying cargo at the ports and compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and Practice.

 He said the objectives of the symposium were to inform and update agents, ports users and customers of new policies and the enforcement of existing policies,  in accordance with Cap 104 of the Customs Ordinance in an effort to encourage voluntary compliance. The department began hosting these symposiums since 2004 for importers, marine industry personnel as well as various port users.

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.

 
The following regulations took effect at all ports in the Territory as of June 1, 2009.

• Cargo vessels arriving from foreign countries shall not break bulk unless permission, to do so, has been given by a Customs Officer.

• All goods discharged from the vessel must be listed on the Cargo Manifest.

• All cargo shall be deposited in a transit shed or warehouse before clearance (passing of T12) takes effect.

• Before being stored in a Transit Shed or Warehouse, cargo shall be checked for correctness by both the ship’s agent and personnel from BVI Ports Authority.

• Except in special circumstances, there will be no un-loading from ship to vehicle.

• Transit goods are to be clearly declared as such.  The Report (manifest) must show the name of the shipper, the description of the goods and the name of the consignee in the country of destination.  Cargo listed for transshipment to another country must be stored separately and will not be allowed to enter the local commerce.

• Cargo for export shall be lodged in a transit shed at least forty eight (48) hours prior to the departure of the ship.  Individuals will not be allowed to take cargo, for export, directly to the ship.  Vessels calling at these ports are encouraged to utilize the services of agents within the Territory.

• Persons/Companies acting as agents for others are to provide the Comptroller of Customs with written proof of such authorization.

• Containers entering or leaving the country are to be properly manifested with the container’s identification numbers listed on the requisite documents.

• A Customs clearance will not be issued unless the Captain/Agent is in possession of a valid Port’s Clearance.