International Customs Day & Week 2022

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022 11 Messages T HE JAMAICA Customs Agency celebrates another International Customs Day under the theme: ‘Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem’. We want to take this opportu- nity to offer our full support, en- dorsement and congratulations. This year’s theme is most relevant when viewed against the back- ground of the continued scaling up of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA). The im- plementation of the Jamaica single window for trade (JSWIFT) and con- tinued onboarding of the Border Regulatory Agencies is evidence that building a data ecosystem is a reality and a change in the data culture. The embracing of a data culture and the building of data ecosys- tem will most likely add value to our international trade facilitation initiatives and provide the impetus for more foreign direct investment in the productive sector. Those in- vestments will most likely stimu- late economic growth, improve the material welfare of our population and take us closer to achieving our economic goals. Nowmore than ever it is impera- tive that we embrace data collection and analysis; this will lead to more evidence-based decision and more innovation from the Jamaica Customs Agency, which ultimately will benefit its stakeholders and the country. The Jamaica Society of CustomBrokers (JSCB) is of the view that the Customs Broker Fraternity will be more efficient and effective in performing our day-to-day tasks. The JSCB stands ready to continue its partnership with the JCA by en- suring that we provide accurate data to customs in efforts to build a data ecosystem. Best wishes for a successful Customs Day and week of activities. Junior B. Waugh President Jamaica Society of Customs Brokers We offer our full support, endorsement and congratulations CUSTOMS WEEK 1 Importers must make an accurate declaration of the contents of their shipment, and submit/provide proper invoices to Customs, to avoid or reduce delays. 2 Where applicable, importers must apply for the requisite permission, permits and/or licences, from the relevant ministry or border regulatory agency, before importing or shipping items. 3 By law, passengers must declare to the customs officer if they are in possession of US$10,000.00 and more (or its equivalent), and provide documentary evidence of the source of funding. CUSTOMS TIPS MORE ON PAGE 14