The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has declared that this year’s International Customs Day will be dedicated to “Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by embracing a Digital Culture and building a Data Ecosystem”. 

Mrs Lucinda Pearman, Collector of Customs, said, “The efforts of Customs organisations around the world will be geared towards embracing the evolving landscape of increased digital sales of goods by capturing, utilising and sharing data with agency partners. Our efforts will improve service to the community and advance the detection of illicit goods. Data and analytics will also play a key role in overcoming the ongoing supply chain delays caused by the global pandemic.”

Mrs Pearman continued, “The global supply chain is a vital link for any business to operate effectively and efficiently, especially here in Bermuda. Throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have looked at ways to enhance how we do business due to the three-fold increase in the volume of imports largely as a result of people not travelling."

The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming said, “The resilience demonstrated by our Customs Officers in the last two years is tremendous. I am looking forward to meeting with the senior leadership of the Customs Department later this week so that I can participate in a small ceremony to recognise the contribution of some of its longest-serving officers and to thank them personally for their tireless work.”

As a result of the current outbreak and the requirements under public health guidelines, the Department of Customs has postponed three key events in its calendar until next year, including the C.A. Smith Road Race, the T.D. Robinson Golf Tournament and the Staff Appreciation Celebration.

2022 collectively marks over 540 years of significant long term service for 28 of the Customs Department staff members who will be honoured for their service for 15, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. The public is encouraged to visit the customs social-media page highlights of 2021 and upcoming events at - www.facebook.com/bermudacustoms