Public urged to used licensed customs brokers

The Jamaica Customs Agency  is urging the public to use licensed customs brokers when importing or exporting goods.

Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner of Customs, Major Richard Reese, in an interview with JIS News, said the Agency has received several reports of individuals who have been scammed by persons claiming to be  brokers.

Reese says several investigations are underway,and investigators have been successful in apprehending some of the  scammers. He has urged  the public to check the gazetted list of licensed customs brokers before entering into any agreement with a customs broker to import or export.

Meanwhile the Commissioner of Customs is encouraging customs brokers to complete their licensing applications within the prescribed time.He said each year  a few brokers  fail to submit their applications on time with the requisite documentation, or may have  outstanding matters with Customs.

These outstanding matters, he said primarily relate to revenue.                 

Currently, 199 broker licences have been approved.