Chavalit Sethameteekul, newly appointed director-general of the department, last week promised to clean up within six months the mess caused by the attempt at paperless clearance.

Chavalit has replaced Sathit Limpongpan. The electronic system was launched on January 1, when the department was still under Sathit's control.

Since then shipping agents have complained that the system's failure has resulted in delays in goods clearance. Perishable goods have rotted.

Sathit was transferred to the post of deputy permanent secretary for finance last week.

Chavalit said officials at the Customs Department did not as yet have a sufficient grasp of the paperless system, many customs brokers, importers and exporters were not yet registered to use it and in any case the computer software was not up to date.

Manual goods clearance will be reinstated for six months while the department puts the e-clearance system in order, Chavalit said, and a training programme will be initiated.

He admitted that the paperless system was complicated by the customs-harmonising system, which extends a six-digit tariff code to eight and 10 digits.  With neither importers nor exporters familiar with the new system, Chavalit said, revenue could suffer if it was not suspended.

The department nonetheless believes that the paperless system will eventually save costs and ensure faster clearance at ports across the country as well as streamlining crossover contacts with other government agencies in matters such as licensing and certification.

The department is expected to collect Bt88 billion in fiscal 2007.

Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation