Customs begins rollout of online payments
(CNS): For the past few years, the Customs and Border Control Service (CBC) has been attempting, with the help of technology, to streamline its services to improve the customer experience. This week, the system known as COLS will undergo testing stages and, finally, from today (6 November), the facility should allow importers and traders to pay online for at least single declarations with a maximum payment of CI$2,500.
“We are currently in the final testing stages of this new product and are confident that this offering is aligned with CBC’s strategic objective of streamlining and improving our business processes,” Deputy Director of Imports Kevin Walton said. “The ability to pay duty online will offer our customers greater efficiency and more convenience in using our services.”
For some importers the access to pay online will appear on their COLS account, and a button called ‘Make a Payment’ will appear on the View Declarations and View Historical Declarations screen. When this option becomes available, customers can select a declaration in Awaiting Payment status and make a payment for that specific declaration.
A payment receipt will be sent to the email address provided when the payee registered to have a COLS account. A release notice will then be available for viewing and printing. It is important to know that the release notice does not exempt the goods selected for a random inspection.
Single declarations online payment is the first phase of this facility and will advance to multiple declarations payment in the next phase of CBC’s technology advancements. As the government department transitions to its new banking service, the limit will also be revisited.
Head of Finance Camile Beckford-Johnson said the department continues to offer other payment methods where payments would be more than $2,500 for registered customers with a bond facility.
“We will continue to facilitate trade and improve our offerings to the public,” she said. “However, we are mindful of the significant bank charges associated with online payments as CBC is poised to collect over $300 million in revenue this fiscal year.”
For further details, see the information posted on the COLS portal and on the CBC website. CBC’s call centre will be available during working hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm to assist traders and importers with any issues they may be experiencing. They can also send an email to CBC Online Support at cbc.onlinesupport@gov.ky
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Category: Local News
What could possibly go wrong?
I love to wait in line for hours as an honesty penalty at Owens Robert, whilst obvious, blatant businesses walk out Scott free. Idk why Cayman doesn’t track big commercial buying events, and do extra screening. The amount of unclaimed merchandise from the Miami jewelry show was shocking.
When I can I pay import duty online instead of at the airport when coming home rather than waiting in a line as there is one cashier and the credit card machine isn’t working?
What should I do when I know a commercial enterprise is massively cheating on duty? They are involving infant children as a cover for their theft. It is really disturbing, so disgusting, especially regarding the children they put at risk. This is a newborn, that they used to get 3 bags of gold in duty free. Their own child, whom is worth only what they can steel. Customs should have the video from the secondary screening that took place at MIA F gate TSA. But I wonder now who has beneficial ownership? Perhaps that is why no action.
Anytime our government start talking about streamlining and efficiency and key word Convenience you know wha coming one big Cluster#@!%
nothing could be easier than organizing a system to pay online without the amount of steps cols requires.
Wonder if they have incorporated the “sour faced look” and “wha ya waaant?” human customer service experience aspects into the online payment process?
probably the worst system i have ever come across that requires 7 stage process before you get your goods from customs.
I remember back in Bermuda, I’d get (walk) to the Post Office on my lunch break, pay a duty on my package and get back to work on time.
You should go back.
Bout taim!