THE Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has called for the restructuring of operations at the island’s customs department, including the appointment of a board of directors, to provide a level playing field for businesses and reduce the loss of revenue to government.

“Notwithstanding the emphasis which has been placed on modernising the customs department since 2002, some unscrupulous persons are still able to clear goods without paying the required tariffs and duties,” JCC president Mark Myers told journalists at a press briefing yesterday.

“This therefore puts legitimate operators at a disadvantage,” he said.

According to Myers, a governing body comprising both public and private sector representatives would bring about greater efficiencies in the operations of the customs department “through close monitoring of the systems with a view to increasing revenue collection”.

He also suggested an upgrading of the Customs House located at Newport East, downtown Kingston.

“We also call on government to turn its attention to upgrading the facilities at Customs House, which are outdated, and unable to deal with the daily customer flow,” Myers charged.

Myers argued that the new Customs Board would replace a current cumbersome and ineffective system.

“At present the Customs Act calls for the Commissioner of Customs to report to the office of the Director General of Tax Administration, which is a mere figurehead and has no authority over the Commissioner of Customs,” he said.

He added that the actions of a few unscrupulous traders were having negative effects on the entire business community and the JCC would work to ensure the integrity of its members.

“We cannot over-emphasise the negative effect the action of these few traders was having on the reputation of the business community at large, and call upon those persons who breach the customs regulations to desist from such practices,” said Myers.

“On our part we wish to assure government and the public that where any member of the JCC is found to be operating outside of the law we will take the appropriate disciplinary action,” he emphasised.

The JCC president said that in recent times members of its customs and port users committee have been expressing concern about ineffectiveness of the systems presently in place at the island’s ports to significantly reduce the level of breaches of the customs regulations and the resultant loss of revenue.

“We stand ready to discuss this proposal and other concerns such as the Customs User Fee (CUF) The Environmental Levy and the Standards Compliance Fee (SCF) with the newly appointed minister of finance,” Myers said.