Since the Customs scanners started operating a few years ago, they have not been used at the Pago Pago Post Office.
But as of last week, the Customs scanner van has been parked at the back of the Post Office to scan packages. And it comes with the scanner fees that were passed into law in 2016.
Deputy Treasurer Keith Gebauer said Customs added the scanning operation at the Post Office in support of ASG’s coronavirus precautionary measures to minimize contact. He said this has been approved by the Postmaster and DBAS management during the highest mail volume days, which are Saturday and Monday.
There was not enough space in the Post Office section where Customs check the mail to set up the scanning equipment when the law went into effect.
And this is the reason why the Post Office mail has not been scanned.
With the coronavirus outbreak, the Post Office allowed Customs to set up a tent outside the back door to do their work.
This set up provided the avenue for Customs to operate their mobile scanner at the site.
Gebauer said Customs started scanning at the Post Office last week but didn’t assess any fees as they wanted to inform businesses of them first.
KHJ News pointed out that there was no public notice concerning the Post Office scanner fees.
The basic scanner fee is $10 per package and applies only to businesses, not personal packages.
A businesswoman said she sometimes collects 20 boxes and this would mean an additional $200 , on top of the 8% excise tax she pays for her orders. She said this cost will be passed on to customers and this is not the right time with businesses on the decline due to the coronavirus outbreak.
