Processing changes wanted by customs

Press, 27 April 1987, Page 12

Processing changes wanted by customs

Wellington reporter A radical reassessment of import entry processing is needed, according to the Customs Department’s 1987-88 Strategic Document. The document said that a large percentage of the resources used in import entry processing was dealing with paper work to ensure that turnround targets were met. Although 90 per cent of entries were fast-tracked with little or no checking, this required the same amount of document-pro-cessing and paper work. “Over recent years the department has found more and more ways to

handle increasing volumes of paper. Emphasis on the customs officer’s knowledge of goods has suffered and the development of technical expertise in commercial fraud has been impeded,” the document said. 'The department intended to apply the same principles to goods as it did to people. Through the use of intelligence, goods or importers of interest to , the department would be identified, and reduced attention would be given those not of interest. The department hoped to put new procedures in place by the end of the present financial year.

The document also touched on the adverse publicity caused by passenger delays, especially at Auckland Airport. Recommendations to lower passenger-process-ing rates from widebodied aircraft from 60 minutes to 45 minutes should be presented to the Government by the end of the month. Among the influences on the department’s work this year would be the 25 per cent reduction in the size of the department, the Government’s reduction in tariff barriers, the influx of tourists for the Rugby Union World Cup, and the advent of Ansett Airline.