Business owners and managers who attended the symposium to learn the new procedure on how the duties are calculated on goods imported held on May 30, 2012. Photo: VINO

Merchants say information at Customs’ symposium not clear, too much information so little time

Deputy Commissioner Leslie Lettesome (Left) Assistant Commissioner Sendrick Chinnery (Right) conducting presentation to merchants.

The symposium which was held at the Road Town Customs Headquarters yesterday May 30, 2012, was attended by business owners, managers and employees from various sectors.

Customs’ Deputy Commissioner Leslie Lettsome said that based on the line of questions asked by the merchants, he assumed that information was put forward very well in a way that the merchants received it and understood it.

Some merchants though, did not understand the information and felt it was too much in a short space of time.

Speaking to the owner of a popular business situated in Road Town, she said the symposium was very informative but the information was compact, and made it very confusing and not clear enough.

“At a point in time, information that was important was very hard to hear, because of so many people in a small room and talking all at once.”

Speaking to another attendee of the Symposium, a female working at a shipping agency, she told this news site that although all the topics were touched, only 70% of the information was clear.

A group of merchants also shared the same sentiments. One stated that there were certain parts of the presentation that was not understood due to the speed of the presentation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lettsome stated that the whole idea is to get the merchants versed in the changes.

He added that the government is giving back to the merchants within the communities in the VI and his job is to facilitate that trade to make sure that items that are coming in are not delayed at the dock. “We are here to ensure that they get to the consumer in a timely manner.”

“I think with the system in place and what we are trying to accomplish at this symposium are to educate the public on how it is suppose to be done hence a smooth transition,” stated Deputy Commissioner Lettsome.

In relation to merchants saying that the information was understandable but it was too much to be discussed in so little time, the Deputy Commissioner said information that was not understood, the department would always be available during working hours to answer any questions.

“For those who didn’t understand certain parts of the information given, you can call or come into our offices and request for the information needed.”

He added that the symposium was well attended by the merchants, where the department invited 45 businesses and in attendance there was over 50.

The symposium was conducted Mr. Lettsome along with the Assistant Commissioner of Customs Sendrick Chinnery.

In March 2012, the Customs Management and Duties (Amendment) Act, 2012 was passed which now allows for the calculation of duties for merchants to only be on their purchase price.

According to the legislation, it defines a merchant as an importer who has a valid trade license for the wholesale and retail or retail of goods in an unchanged state. This Mr. Smith further explained means, those merchants purchasing goods that will have to be changed such as those shopping for restaurants where they have to cook the goods, the reduction will not apply to them.