Brokers blamed for Port clearance delays

Delays in clearing cargo coming through the Bridgetown Port are primarily the result of brokers putting inaccurate data into the integrated customs management system, ASYCUDA World.

Minister of Energy and Business Senator Lisa Cummins blamed “input errors” as she responded to concerns raised in the Senate on Wednesday about the lengthy delays still being experienced at the port despite implementation of the computerised system in September 2019.

“Oftentimes, 80 per cent of the issues with a container not being released relate to the non-input of data from a broker.

“Oftentimes, you have information that is inaccurately entered into the system…. Oftentimes, depending on what the declaration has been on that item, it is incorrectly declared and it has been sent back for review,” she said.

Cummins added that the delays were compounded if other ministries were needed to clear cargo.

“Depending on what is actually declared in the manifest, it may need secondary inspection because it is not just the port taking a container off of a ship via a crane.

“Depending on what is in that container, there may be a need for clearance by agriculture, there may be a clearance by health, there may be a clearance by veterinary health….

“There are any number of reasons sometimes why there may be a delay in clearances in the first instance, and most of them are input errors,” she added.

Cummins reported that there has been a significant improvement in the time taken to clear containers and breakbulk cargo.

However, she said, personnel cargo such as barrels and boxes may still experience delays as individuals get familiar with using the ASYCUDA System. (SB)