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Final training for operating container scanner underway

Two vehicles going through the large container scanner at the main port yesterday morning as part of the training for Customs agents, who will be manning the scanner once the service is implemented by Customs.  [photo: FS]
Expect scanner fees to be charged in the very near future — that’s $200
fili@samoanews.com

Customs agents are currently undergoing training for manning and operating the large container scanner stationed at the main Port and part of the training included testing of the scanner.

Testing prompted some residents thinking that Customs has implemented this service, and would now start collecting the container scanner fee, which is $200 for a 40-foot or more container; as well as a container less than 40 feet, including all 20-foot containers.

Samoa News observed between 9a.m. and 11a.m. yesterday, some trailer trucks with containers going through the large scanner machine, as they exited the port, while customs agents looked on. At least two cars also went through the container scanner, which was seen inside the port behind the port security gate.

“This is part of the training for the container scanner, which looks like a dump truck,” Chief of Customs, Moetulu’i Fuiava Sipili said in phone interview with Samoa News late yesterday morning after a handful of containers had gone through the scanner, as well as four cars. “That’s where all the containers and cars will be scanned.”

Moetulu’i said ten customs agents are going through the training that would be done soon; and there will also be engineers from Guam representing the contractor of the scanners, that “will be here permanently” to assist Customs in ensuring the protection of American Samoa’s borders.

The container scanner, which was shipped from Great Britain, arrived late last year, but commissioning the equipment was delayed until engineers for the manufacturer were on island late last month to check the equipment and conduct testing.

“The engineers conducted a thorough check of the equipment to ensure everything is working well,” Moetulu’i said.

He noted that some parts of the equipment could have come loose or other kinds of problems, because of the long journey of the scanner from Europe. Therefore it was necessary for a complete and thorough check.

Scanner fees for use of the equipment have been put on hold until training and testing is completed. Customs, which was also waiting for the equipment’s spare parts, plans to issue a public statement when the scanner fees go into effect.

ASG is banking on the container scanner to not only raise additional revenues for the government’s coffers, but also to prevent illegal shipments, such as guns, drugs, undeclared goods, arriving via container vessels, from getting into the territory.

Scanner fees at the airport and inter island dock have been in place since the latter part of December 2016, when the scanner equipment became operational. There was also supposed to be a scanner for Customs at the Fagatogo Post Office, but some residents have said that they’ve not seen scanners there, but have noticed Customs is still using its K-9 unit, to “address the issue of [alleged] drugs coming through the postal service,” as well as physical search of boxes when people receive them from the postal service.

Samoa News should point out that the head of Customs told Samoa News that the engineers are part of the service contract that was awarded to the Rapi-Scan company with the over $7 million dollar purchase.