THE Jamaica Customs Department yesterday reported a smooth transition from the C79 entry system to its new import entry customs system for non-commercial cargo – the C78X.

“We’re monitoring things on the ground… No complaints so far,” Deloree Staple-Chambers, deputy commissioner of customs, told the Observer yesterday.

“We have people out on the ground to assist the importers and the officers themselves. We are getting reports of a smooth transition.”

At a press briefing last Thursday to explain the electronic system at the Jamaica Customs head office in Kingston, Staple-Chambers told reporters that it would initially be implemented manually.

“We will be piloting the system for the first two to three months, getting people familiar with the whole procedure. The process of declaring before the goods are examined and getting the requirements known, so that when we are fully automated we will be able to go full speed,” Staple-Chambers explained.

“This system will process goods of a large non-commercial nature of a value not exceeding US$1,000, as well as commercial cargo of that value of an emergency.”

Staple-Chambers added that importers would be required to complete the C78X form, as well as the C86 form, which are goods declaration forms and a new feature in the processing of non-commercial cargo.

“The C86 requires the contents of the package be listed as well as a declaration by the importer which states that they have truthfully declared all the information regarding the package that is to be cleared,” she said, adding that allowance will be made for persons who have sent cargo prior to the implementation of the C78X.

“That will not prevent you form getting the goods because we know people have already sent things off without knowing these requirements,” she said. “There will be some measure in place to facilitate clearance of those goods.”

Staple-Chambers also stated that in addition to basic information that the form requires, a Tax Registration Number (TRN) would be compulsory to successfully complete the forms. “Also, they will need to present a national identification card or passport or drivers licences. These are acceptable forms of identification,” she said.

The deputy commissioner also pointed out that when the system becomes electronic, a manual submission of the C78X form will become obsolete. “All the importers will be required to do is to submit the C86 along with the supporting documents, which are invoices or bills packing list and authorisation if the goods are being declared by a person other than the owner or the importer of the goods.”

Last week, President of the Custom Brokers Association of Jamaica (CBAJ), Richard Minott, said he was concerned about the level of preparedness of importers for the new system.

“It is modernisation in reverse,” he said, referring to the fact the system would be introduced manually.

“Customs have to change the level of preparedness and education of John public. We are not resisting the form or the change, what we are resisting is the processing of the form.”

In addition, Minnott complained that the new system would create chaos and abuse on the part of the officers, since quite a number of them still needed training

He said he was also concerned about the current availability of the forms, and methods of ascertaining them.

“Most of the persons who print the forms say that they are not ready,” he said, adding that the feedback from custom brokers, which came out of a meeting that was held last Wednesday, indicated that his colleagues were of the opinion that more needed to be done in terms of the implementation of the form.

“Air ship agents said that they were not aware of the form and they don’t have it yet,” he remarked.

When the system is fully implemented, importers will be able to apply for a Bill of Sight to be done, if they are unable to declare before the cargo is opened. This will cost J$1,200. A Bill of Sight is an official customs document which allows the customs officer to examine the content of the cargo and to list what is seen, and appraise the shipment. “The process is the alternative to not having the packing list or an invoice,” Staple-Chambers said.