Over twenty registered traders and importers from Virgin Gorda are now aware of the Customs Automated Processing Systems (CAPS), following a trader declaration orientation held last Thursday September 15.

The orientation was held as part of Her Majesty’s Customs Department’s move towards full automation using the Customs Automated Processing System (CAPS) where, effective November 1, trader declarations must be completed and submitted online.

Commissioner Mr. Wade Smith said, “I am very pleased with the turnout and the reception that we received here at the orientation. The members of the Virgin Gorda community were quite receptive and demonstrated how eager they are to get automated.”

Mr. Smith added that the new CAPS system improves the collection of data on customs declarations, and eliminates the need for officers to manually input data, and saves time.

He also announced that through the Customs Automated Processing System, the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council and the Central Statistics Office will collaborate with HM Customs to extract raw data.

Assistant Commissioner of Assurance Mr. Gerald Fleming, accompanied by CAPS officers, facilitated the orientation session to traders and importers and educated them on the system requirements for web entry.

The attendees were informed about the possible validation errors, shortcuts including the Harmonised System (HS) tariff codes search option, and additional resources including pdf files to the 2010 Customs Management and Duties Act, and the CAPS Declaration Codes.

Two hour training sessions for Virgin Gorda traders and importers will be offered every other week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Training begins on September 20 and will continue on Thursday, September 22, at the Vanterpool Administration Building Conference Room at 10:00 a.m.

Persons are encouraged to bring their laptops or tablet operating systems as the Customs Automated Processing System is compatible with these devices.

In addition, customs brokers, agents and persons already familiar with the process are being encouraged to register with Her Majesty’s Customs as the department is gradually phasing out of the current manual system.

Once registered, brokers, agents, and other importers will be issued with a Trader Identification Number and access to the web account.  Additionally, traders can search for tariff rates, preview customs declarations and will be allowed to upload supporting documents online and receive payment summaries via email.

Persons requiring individual CAPS web submissions application training should contact Mr. Gerald Fleming at 468-9716.

Persons requiring a CAPS registration form should contact CAPS desk at 468-5705 or email caps@gov.vg.

Her Majesty’s Customs Department is tasked with facilitating legitimate trade and enforcing import and export regulations. The implementation of the Customs Automated Processing System is in line with both the Her Majesty’s Customs’ mandate, in addition to the Government of the Virgin Islands’ commitment to managing and monitoring the import and export of goods.