Customs officials hear from Christensen about V.I. mail delays

ST. THOMAS - V.I. Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Puerto Rico this week about delays resulting from the agency's inspections of the mail.

All of the mail sent from the Virgin Islands to the mainland is inspected by Customs because the Virgin Islands is outside the "Customs zone," Christensen said. Packages are X-rayed and letters are inspected by hand. If anything suspect is found, the package could be held up for weeks.

"They are seizing mail," Christensen said. "Every piece of mail that comes through has to be inspected."

Mail delays are largely because of incorrect Customs labels, she said. Many Virgin Islanders do not list the true value of a package's contents for fear the box will be opened and the contents stolen.

However, if the label is different from the X-ray of the package, the piece of mail is held for further inspection.

"I know people are distrustful of having things stolen, but you run the risk of delaying your package if you don't put the paperwork out there," she said.

For instance, many people put "documents" as the contents of a package to mislead potential thieves, but when the X-ray shows it to be a camera or piece of jewelry, the contents are inspected to see if the value exceeds $200.

According to Customs, anything being shipped out of the territory with a value greater than $200 must be assessed a duty. "That's sometimes what holds up the package, because they have to assess the value, sometimes they have to track down where it was bought," Christensen said.

Christensen said she will work to get the $200 limit raised. She said it does not make sense considering the Customs' limit for carrying merchandise out of the territory is $1,600.

"I find that to be a discrepancy that needs to be worked on," she said.

The regulations are not new, but few Virgin Islanders seem to be aware of them, Christensen said.

"They and the post office need to work on informing the public," Christensen said about Customs. "I think they need to do a much better job."

Larger signs about what can and cannot be shipped through the mail should be posted at the territory's post offices, she said.

To ensure that mail sent from the Virgin Islands is not held up at Customs, people should correctly identify the contents of the package and its worth, Christensen said. Customs officials also recommended attaching receipts outside the package to avoid delays. The post office has a plastic sleeve that can hold the receipt and Customs paperwork, according to Christensen. Businesses are encouraged to fill out required forms for themselves and to advise their customers if an item will incur a duty if shipped.

Jewelry made in the Virgin Islands by certified manufacturers is not subject to a duty, even if the value exceeds $200, Christensen said.

The delegate also discussed the Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program with the Customs officials, she said. The online program lets travelers who experienced problems entering the United States report the matter. The program is for people who have had repeated referrals for security screenings or have been denied boarding or entry into the country because of inaccurate or incorrect information about them in law enforcement records, or because they have been confused with someone who is a concern to U.S. authorities, Christensen said.

- Contact reporter Aldeth Lewin at 774-7882 ext. 311 or e-mail alewin@dailynews.vi.

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