Michael Halkitis
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunmedia.net
NEW Customs regulations could clamp down on illegal smuggling of items like guns, State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis said on Friday.
Some in the business community have expressed concern over the recent amendments to the Customs Management Act which came into force on July 1 and put greater responsibility on freight companies to ensure that their manifests are accurate.
Because of the amendments, cargo operators will be subjected to a $5,000 per item fine for every prohibited or restricted good found on board.
A fine equivalent to 25 per cent of the value will also be incurred for every item not declared prior to landing in Nassau.
Cargo planes must submit their C7 general declaration forms to customs, detailing all freight items they are bringing, one hour before touching down in the Bahamas and shippers must provide their manifest and loading list "at least 12 hours" before their shipment lands in the Bahamas.
Submitting such forms in a timely fashion will require a processing fee of $75, but those who submit their C7s in less than the time allotted prior to their arrival in the Bahamas will be subjected to a $2,500 charge.
"They have to make sure their manifests are accurate when leaving," Mr Halkitis said, adding that the government has no intention of revisiting the amendments and no discussions are ongoing with stakeholder groups about the matter.
"We are seeking to close loopholes that facilitate fraud and smuggling of contraband including guns ... Last minute changes facilitate fraud and smuggling," he added. "Those who comply with the law have nothing to worry about."
Although some have argued that the regulations will reduce the ease of doing business in the country, closing customs loopholes has long been seen as an avenue to clamp down on the illegal smuggling of guns into the country.
American-based air cargo companies are said to be considering withdrawing from the Bahamas market because of the impact of the new regulations. They claim that the cost of freight will go up "tremendously" unless the regualtions are reversed.
Businesses in the Bahamas fear that a boycott by the freight operators will lead to difficulties in getting goods to customers in good time.
In January, National Security Minister said inspections processes at the country's borders are currently too weak to successfully handle the problem.
His statement came after he admitted that progress on the matter would not come through legislative changes in the United States where more than 95 per cent of illegal guns in the Bahamas migrate from.
"(We have to insist) that our customs officers really rummage people's vessels when they come in," Dr Nottage said. "They have a lot of weapons on these boats."
Nonetheless, in an interview with Tribune Business last month, Michael Maura, Arawak Port Development Company (APD) chief executive, said customs officials indicated that they would be "reasonable" with its new powers and would not impose sweeping sanctions for infractions that were not the shipper's fault.
Comments
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
It's still SOPA no matter how you try to justify it. Why on earth would gov yet again not use demand to create jobs, but instead try to limit demand. Are you seriously expecting the courier to do a better job at preventing smuggling than our own law enforcement (customs)?
O wait, this is the gov that lets murderes out on bail even though police know who had the AR's.
Hakitis, go account for why we still have a budget deficit when VAT surpassed expectations and was supposed to bring it to zero please.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
It's like the numbers boys being their own regulation board.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
What type of ethics is it to charge 25% of cocaine found? Sure sounds like the goal is to prevent..lol
Gov wants their cut.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
"shippers must provide their manifest and loading list at least 12 hours before their shipment lands in the Bahamas." I guess this is for scheduling adequate staff.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
That case in Freport where a batch of weapons and two masks were sold came from a customs officer, brother of the senator who was caught going through the private airport.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
Drop duty on food and supplies for services if they have to make these fines which ultimately bear on the good customers.
Require placing the agreement checkbox for customers before each shipment order , fine the customer. http://www.customs.gov.sg/individuals/g…
Have couriers establish a banned stores list that they won't accept shipments from (Not much help but a start) or only accept shipments directly from retail, not personal packages.
ohdrap4 8 years, 4 months ago
Chill killem, they do not read this blog.:
The fines are not specifically for the controlled goods. I do not think people use couriers for 24 hour shipping. But it is concerning because sometimes the courier enter wrong descriptions. Once i bought "Spice tea", but the courier describes as " cooking spice"-- the tea is duty free but the spice is 35%. this is for an individual package, not a business.
screwedbahamian 8 years, 4 months ago
So who pays, the Bahamian people in the increased cost passed on. It the shipment include items that are not listed for customs review. the shipment should be confiscated, sold at auction and the funds put into the treasury. if this happens more that once in a 12 months period, the business license is revoked for a 12 months period. . If illegal items are fund, the business should be prosecuted and the license revoked indefinitely. Publication of Businesses that have been charged with any or all of these offences should be made monthly.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 4 months ago
They cannot expect shippers to examine every box. Smugglers do not declare what they smuggle. This means now that every shipping company will have to open and examine every box it receives. This will not only severly delay your cargo but you can be damned sure you will be charged for examination....
This is one dumb government....
The_Oracle 8 years, 4 months ago
"Nonetheless, in an interview with Tribune Business last month, Michael Maura, Arawak Port Development Company (APD) chief executive, said customs officials indicated that they would be "reasonable" with its new powers and would not impose sweeping sanctions for infractions that were not the shipper's fault." A worthless platitude that I doubt Mr. Maura himself believes. And if not the shippers fault, who's then? the vendor? the recipient? Customs isn't going to walk away empty handed. New rules to further encumber the private sector for their own Customs incompetence and ineptitude. They are complete idiots who will never learn. If the shippers get hit a few times then the whole logistic will change at great cost and delay. If the vendors get hit they'll not supply the Bahamas. If the retailers get hit their markup to compensate goes up.
DEDDIE 8 years, 4 months ago
The new regulation will do absolutely nothing to curb the importation of illegal guns. Smugglers don't care about C7's. Imagine a smugglers putting on a form 10 AK47's. Come on politician, you can,t be that dum or maybe you are. This is all about shaking down the business community for a little more cash.
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