The customs scanner van was in action at the inter island dock for the first time this morning for the arrival of the Lady Naomi.
All personal baggage for passengers were put through the scanner and after the passengers were cleared then the sacks of taro, coolers of fish, and other cargo from the boat were scanned.
Chief of Customs Moetului Fuiava Sipili who was at the inter island dock said that the operation went smoothly. 
He had a female customs agent demonstrate how the scanner operates, …putting cargo through a conveyer belt, identifying the images displayed on a computer and the different features of the equipment.
The customs agent said they’re trained to tell certain items and distinguish between individual use and commercial use, based on quantities.
Asked why passengers luggage were being scanned when the scanner fees apply only to goods imported for commercial use, Moetului said the scanners are not just to raise revenue but also to protect American Samoa‘s borders.
Hence the need to scan luggage.
The customs chief says they’re also scanning luggage of people arriving at the airport.
Customs is assessing a scanner fee of $50 per sack of taro and $50 for a cooler of fish, costs which will likely be reflected in higher retail prices for those goods.
Businesses which are receiving goods via the Post Office don’t have to pay the scanner fees at this stage.
Moetului says they’re giving those businesses a break for Christmas but will start charging by the end of next month, which is also the timeline that the container scanner fees will kick in.
The container scanner arrived last month however some parts were missing and have to be flown in from England.
