Customs Officer Mr. Brian Farrington assists a customer at the HM Customs Port Purcell Office. Photo :GIS

Speaking to the Department of Information and Public Relations, HM Customs Commissioner Mr. Wade Smith said the new form places the department at the same level as its international counterparts, adding, “As we seek better ways to modernise and expedite cargo clearance and revenue collection, the new Trader Declaration form was needed to achieve the international standards that the department strives to meet as well as to assist us with enforcement of laws pertaining to the Virgin Islands.” 

The New Trader Declaration form differs from the previous form as it includes registration of importers, additional details on the supplier, importer, transportation, carrier, port of arrival and shipment.

Regarding the particulars of the new form, Mr. Smith said that from time to time requests are made from the department’s international counterparts as it relates to specific commodities, and the new form will facilitate those requests.

He said, “The form helps collect specific information that may be useful to our international counterparts, demonstrating both increased transparency and accountability on a local and international scale. It will also serve as an excellent statistical tool that will prove beneficial for BVI’s policy makers and investors.”

The commissioner also noted the new form reflects the department’s recent implementation of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS); a systematic classification and uniformed coding of all goods found in international trade.

Commenting on the implementation process for the new Trader Declaration form, Assistant Commissioner Mr. Clinton Romney, said it began with an assessment of the trading community, the HM Customs Department and developers of IBM that came together to develop the Customs Automated Processing System (CAPS); software that allows for data to be entered electronically.

Mr. Romney said the department’s future goal is to use CAPS to enable persons to complete and submit the new form from the comfort of their home or business.

The new Trader Declaration forms are available at all major ports of entries. For more information persons can contact HM Customs Headquarters at 468-3701 ext 6800.

The Customs Management and Duties Act No. 6 of 2010 mandates the use of the new Trader Declaration form, officially launched on September 17, 2012.

The legislation also approved the implementation of CAPS and the HS which both facilitate smoother processes as they relate to the clearance of goods.

Her Majesty’s Customs Department is tasked with facilitating legitimate trade and enforcing import and export regulations. The new Trader Declaration form is in line with both HM Customs’ mandate, in addition to Government’s commitment to managing and monitoring the import and export of goods.