delivered by courier companies.

A caller to The Royal Gazette complained earlier this week that delays of several days are impeding business.

The courier companies assert that it is the new Customs tariffs, announced in the recent budget, and other bureaucratic methods, which are causing delays in clearance at the airport.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, the problems are to be aired in meetings scheduled for next week.

Mr. Glen Smith, president of courier company International Bonded Couriers (IBC), said problems were mainly linked with changes to the tariff announced in the Budget.

"Once changes are made, like anything, it will not run smoothly overnight, but the problem is the changes have not been communicated to the staff at the Airport.

"It is not the fault of the Custom's officers so much as the managers.'' Mr. Gerry Ardis, Collector of Customs, said: "Customs is always the whipping boy. The staff know what is happening, and the courier companies know what is happening with tariff changes.

"But, until we get the completed bills as approved by Parliament, a tariff document can not be compiled.'' An interim tariff document has been circulated, and is available until a definitive copy is available, he said.

Federal Express also said that it is becoming more difficult to clear packages out of Customs as officials adjust to the new rates and tariffs.

Courier companies complain that handwritten invoices are no longer being accepted, which also slows up recovery of packages.

One head of a local courier company described the situation as "horrendous''.

"It is the same old story with Customs. They think they are God Almighty and can get away with it,'' he said.

The courier boss, who did not wish to be identified, questioned why a Bill of Entry has to be filled in, and wharfage paid even though software was now duty free.

"Customers are paying for speed and delivery. It seems ludicrous that packages are held when nothing has to be paid on them.

"Most of our clients are big international companies, who don't want to hear excuses, like Customs are holding packages.'' Mr. Smith agreed: "I am trying to run a successful business, and the expense of sending staff to the airport to pass an entry for ten cents, in some cases, is not justified.

"A civil servant then has to process the transaction. It must cost Government more than 10 cents to process it.'' Mr. Ardis said he would meet with courier companies to attempt to find common ground. He understood the frustrations of the courier companies, who are obliged by law to fill in Bills of Entry and pay wharfage fees on duty free items.

"The paper work is self-defeating, but under the present law that is their responsibility,'' he said.

According to IBC, at the end of one working day last week, there were still about 20-25 packages in the Custom's strong room at the Airport -- normally there are only five.

The company's goal is same day delivery. "This delay, of course, affects businesses attempting to competing worldwide,'' he said. "International companies rely on getting information straight away.'' Federal Express handles 300-400 packages daily, and said that if 20-30 packages are held up, delays begin to occur.

Topics that will be discussed with courier companies at upcoming meetings, include problems involving commercial invoices.

Mr. Ardis said: "It is always easy to complain, but when I ask for an alternative solution, I get a blank. I know there are irritations in the system, but it is better to discuss these things and reach a satisfactory conclusion.

"There have been numerous incidents of false declaration of goods. There are increasing incidents where commercial invoices do not reflect the true value of the goods, or provide a proper description of contents. This causes us great concern,'' he said.

Concerning bills of entry, Mr. Ardis said it might be possible to introduce a composite bill of entry as a way of saving time for courier companies.

"We will always insist on bills of entry as there must be some central control mechanism,'' he said.

Mrs. Angela Binns, customs clearance agent for DHL Worldwide Express , said her days are busier than before as Customs is now only accepting original invoices, and taking time to comprehend the different rates and different tariffs.

Ms Carolyn Mello, vice-president at the Chamber of Commerce said: "We have been aware of the problem for a week.

"I have informed the courier members of the Chamber of Commerce that a meeting will be set up next week.

"There seems to be confusion about the changes in the Customs Act, and problems with changing procedures.

"There has been no communication so there doesn't seem to be any clear idea about what the procedures are. I don't want to blame anyone in particular at this stage.'' Mr. Glen Smith.