The Customs and Excise Department has been hit by processing delays which are affecting the clearing of goods.
The development comes against the backdrop of concerns expressed by local businessmen this week that the ten per cent National Social Responsibility Levy, which was to be removed effective July 1, was still showing up on their customs invoices.
Since then, Acting Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn had assured that the matter would be rectified.
However, a breakdown has occurred in the ASYCUDA processing system.
In a statement released by the Barbados Government Information Service this evening, Acting Comptroller of Customs Annette Weekes explained that due to an overload, persons trying to access the system were either being “knocked off” or cashiers were experiencing a “hanging effect”, where they had to wait for a period of time before completing transactions.
She appealed for all users to remain off the system as the Information Technology staff of the Barbados Revenue Authority work to rectify the problem.
In the interim, Weekes informed persons experiencing delays or challenges, that the department was working to put temporary measures in place.
