When a bill was signed into law in December 2016 to establish scanner fees for incoming cargo, then Governor Lolo Moliga said, “By enhancing Custom’s ability to quickly search incoming cargo, we expect to be able to better secure our borders, provide more efficient service to our importers and improve customs revenue collection.”
Six million dollars from the American Samoa Economic Development Authority bonds were allocated for the scanners.
But the main scanning equipment, which was manufactured in England, has not been seen at the dock for many months.
The same with the mobile scanner that was used on the inter-island dock.
Efforts to reach the Customs Chief for an explanation on what’s happened to the scanners have not been successful.
But business owners tell KHJ News that sometimes they’re still charged the scanner fees, even when their cargo is not scanned.
One business manager said Customs does use a manual portable scanner sometimes.
Their staff accompanies Customs agent each time they open containers, to make sure their business is not charged the scanner fees if they’re not used.
The fees which went into effect December 2016 are:
- $200 for containers 20 ft and over is $200
- $50 for loose cargo pallet
- $50 per vehicle for heavy equipment
- $10 per package and other scanning fees Customs deems necessary.
