the year 2000.

Bermuda Customs is planning a super hi-tech computer system -- known as Electronic Data Interchange -- to allow cargo to be cleared in double quick time.

The EDI system, a computer network between carrier firms, airlines, shipping lines and Customs collectors, would also save mountains of paperwork.

And it would allow Customs chiefs to decide whether or not to clear or search containers even before they had landed in Bermuda -- stopping people from standing in long queues before they can collect their goods.

Customs officials are now holding a series of meetings with importers in a bid to co-ordinate the computer upgrading project.

William LeDrew, Bermuda's new Collector of Customs, revealed the ambitious project should be finished within three years.

He said: "We are a good enforcement agency, we have already invested heavily in training and we have good technology on our side.

"We have drug detection equipment and detector dogs. Now we are looking at strengthening our automation on the commercial processing side.

"We are moving towards EDI and that is the way the world is going. It basically involves computer-linking data to eliminate much of the paperwork.

"It's more than just a sophisticated computer system -- it's the transfer of data between the importers, the carriers and Customs.'' Canadian Mr. LeDrew, who started work only last week, said information on any shipment coming into Bermuda would be keyed into the system by the importers.

Customs would then review the information and run a risk assessment based on the on-screen data.

"That allows us to make a decision about the goods before the container even arrives here,'' said Mr. LeDrew.

"Then there will be no hold-ups when the importers submit the customs entry document.

"The computer data will already have established the level of duty or tax and the payment could even be made by a direct funds transfer.

"The system would involve shipping lines, airlines and carrier companies. We are working in unison and there's an EDI steering committee involving department representatives and the transport industry.

"It will take an integrated, co-ordinated effort to get this off the ground but we are moving forward together. Preliminary work is already well-advanced.'' Mr. LeDrew said Customs revenue in Bermuda amounted to around one third of Government income.

"Our objective is to collect the proper amount of duty,'' he added. "No more, no less.

"To get compliance we need to make it easier for importers and travellers to pay their duty.

"That's how EDI will help make Bermuda Customs more efficient in the future.

"It will save time, it will save money and it will allow us to do a better job. Customs cannot afford to be a bottleneck in the whole process and this will allow shipments to be moved within minutes rather than hours or days.'' Stephen Paynter, a spokesman for Meyer Agencies, confirmed that meetings on the computer revolution were already underway.

He added: "There's an on-going dialogue concerning EDI and we are keeping ourselves abreast of any changes and equipping ourselves to move intothat area.

"We know we need to be set up with the right computer systems and this would make the entire process of importing cargo more efficient for us.''