Premier pledges to address slow processing at ports
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has promised fixes for the slow processing of goods at the BVI’s ports, even as officials look to overhaul the Customs Automated Processing System (CAPS).
“It’s taking longer and longer to get your goods out of Customs. It takes nearly five days now to get anything out of Customs and they’re going through CAPS and whatever process they have and it’s hurting businesses,” Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton complained.
Dr Wheatley said he too was concerned about delays in container processing and the associated escalating fees for containers remaining at the ports for prolonged periods.
Recognising the potential impact on the business community while seeking to mitigate the effects of the CAPS upgrade delay, Premier Wheatley committed to discussions with the ports and Customs to explore measures to increase processing speed.
Premier Wheatley detailed steps taken to progress the repairs and upgrades to the CAPS after being questioned by Skelton on whether there were any updates.
The CAPS programme, seen as vital for collecting revenues efficiently from Customs duty, importation data, and other related activities, is undergoing significant modernisation to enhance computing compatibility, and data storage capacity, and to improve the overall user experience, system security, resilience, and performance.
Premier Wheatley told lawmakers that the government allocated funds in 2023 for the CAPS improvement initiative. A procurement process concluded in the last quarter of 2023, resulting in an agreement with IBM to procure an IBM Cisco HyperFlex node server, along with necessary licenses and accessories, aiming for a more robust and efficient system.
The financial commitment towards the upgrade includes significant investments in server hardware, power supplies, backup batteries, and software licensing and initial payments have already been made.
Construction of the server is projected to take approximately three months, with full functionality expected by the second or early third quarter of 2024.
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THIS COUNTRY IS GOING BACKWARDS FAST
That $10 per package fee that some Courier Service Providers charge for packages that comes via the ferries from online stores to the territory also needs to be looked into because it is highway robbery.
Why should a tiny package cost $10 when some stores ship numerous packages for 1 Invoice….that should not be an added expense of the customer. It is ridiculous that 10 packages regardless of size would equal $100 not including Customs Duty and other fees.
If a package is worth $5, the customer should not have to pay a $10 fee for it being received via a ferry for the Courier Service Providers.
Recommendations please for alternate providers.
@GETTING FROM BAD TO WORSTThat’s because the man at the controls is Captain reverse, what’s bad is when you hit a big enough sea in reverse you go under and that’s where we are heading fast with a child as our Captain.
While you’re at it, check out the extremely slow processing at the West End Ferry dock. Some days it can take over 2 hours just to check boats in. They really cannot handle the amount of boats/ people they have to process.
The process at West End is a disgrace. The system seems to be designed to make the process and slow and frustrating for boats (typically full of tourists) to arrive into the BVI. How can it take longer that 5 mins to clear a boat?
The Premier need to step down
Big things to lil things these VI mashing up nonstop.
Mr. Premier why you cannot get people to do their Jobs, is that you are weak or people do not respect you. From the COI recommendations to every thing that needs to be done..People are in position and being paid good to make things happen to have the govt vehicle running smoothly..Get serious Mr. Premier. Cut out the favouritism get people who want to work and willing to work and have the will and courage to get things done..
To many are here eating, drinking and pooping and otherwise living well in the BVI, off of the BVI.
Yet, they are pregnant with ill motivations for the island. They wake every day with over whelming desires to see the BVI go down. They live with the fervent desire for the new wave of colonialism to reignite.
They know not of the thousands of souls who contributed to the growth of these islands. Yet, despite they never contibuting to, they are here wishing to live the failure of the land that is feeding and supporting them.
There is a name/wordfor such a mentality, wonder if they know it.
No to UK. Yes to the continued growth of and may God continue to bless these islands and their peope. Yes to the Virgin Islands.
what could possibly go wrong with this…sounds like a perfect plan…the IBM Cisco HyperFlex node server will doubtless be readily accepted by customs officers….
Every single day we reading “Premier this” “Premier that”. What happened to all the senior officers and other civil servants hired and paid, all of whom are entitled to a cushy pension which they contribute ZERO TO? Are we going to continue sitting here thinking that 13 reps can fix what over 2,000 Civil Servants cannot?
Here are my suggestions to lower the costs of foods etc in the bvi.
Remove the freight from the items as paying duty on freight gets things expensive quickly. Seafood is 15% duty, Meat 5% duty, Poultry Duty free. The health living seafood is the most expensive to clear. This is also 15% on the freight so adds a lot to your retail pricing and also more on your plate in a restaurant. Some items like balsamic vinegar are 15% as under wine tarrif not condiments which are 10%. The whole tariff needs looking at. Luxury goods like electrics are 15% but why food.
Caps System works well and generally clears the same Day. Ive never experienced the long delays on clearing unless the system is down and customs work around that with you until the system is up and working again.
The port need a new warehouse for Dry goods. The last one blew away in Irma and still using a temp tent. This is a cash cow for government so they should be investing into the infrastructure to keep the imported goods in good condition until it leaves the port. If left in the rain or sun it can be trashed. Pretty good job with the Caps system instead of the old paperwork system.
Additionally there is way to much paperwork printed. There is no need for 3 copys of a T12 as its submitted to customs electronically. Why do they need a hard copy also. Why does port need a hard copy if customs has it electronically. If your clearing a container with multiple entry its 3 reams of paper. Just a waste of trees. Customs are paying to store this paper when its all electronic.
What you have outlined is far too simple and makes too much sense for them to even look at. The real issue here is not elected officials, it’s senior civil servants that are caught up in what positions they have, how much power they have and doing what the fuck they want. Nothing will change until there is a massive shake up in the way how things are done in the civil service. There is zero accountability as everyone simply blames the Government. The issues that we are experiencing now have been there over 20 years, in every single Government Department, so do the math.
So the port is the reason your cargo cant come off the port in a timely manner. Then same port charging you for not getting your cargo out of there in a timely manner? I understanding this properly?
More promises and pledges. Nothing will happen.
While you are at it – when will Anegada be made a port of entry?