Minister of Government Moves to Recover Customs Arrears; Over $200K Already Collected

Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services Jamell Robinson says the Government is intensifying efforts to recover outstanding customs and import duty payments, with more than $200,000 already collected in recent weeks.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services Hon. Jamell Robinson

Speaking on Radio Turks and Caicos’ First Edition, Robinson addressed public concerns following reports that courier companies owed significant sums to the Government. He clarified, however, that the enforcement drive is not limited to couriers but extends to all importers.

“This is not just couriers, it’s all importers that we’ve targeted,” Robinson said, explaining that recent actions stem from audits conducted over the past two years which identified incomplete entries and unpaid duties across the system.

He noted that while one courier company brought attention to the matter publicly, enforcement measures have been applied broadly and consistently. Robinson also pushed back against criticism directed at customs officers, stressing that they are carrying out policy decisions.

“If anyone has an issue, target me and the policymakers, not the staff,” he said.

The Minister explained that the Customs Department has the legal authority to revisit import records and recover unpaid duties for up to five years. These post-clearance audits are designed to address discrepancies such as underreported goods or incomplete declarations.

Under the strengthened enforcement approach, importers and courier companies are now required to comply with stricter payment arrangements. These include a “pay-as-you-go” system, where duties and processing fees must be paid before goods are released.

However, Robinson emphasized that the Government has introduced flexibility to avoid disrupting business operations. Importers are allowed to prioritize essential goods, such as perishables and medicine, by making partial payments to clear critical shipments while settling remaining balances over time.

Additionally, companies with outstanding balances are being placed on structured repayment plans, with requirements to submit regular updates and payments toward arrears.

“These measures are not about stopping business,” Robinson said. “They are about ensuring that the Government collects what is owed so we can provide for the people.”

According to Robinson, customs revenue plays a vital role in the country’s finances. The Ministry of Immigration and Border Services accounts for approximately 40 percent of total government revenue, generating more than $200 million annually through import duties, customs processing fees, and work permit fees.

These funds support a wide range of public services and development projects, including infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education, and social assistance programmes.

“If we are not collecting properly, it affects everything, from roads to schools to support for vulnerable people,” he said.

Robinson disclosed that courier-related customs collections average about $8.64 million annually, with an estimated shortfall of roughly $890,000, or about nine percent. While he described this as relatively modest, he said the Government is working to reduce that gap through improved systems and enforcement.

Efforts are underway to modernize customs operations, including upgrades to tariff classifications and digital systems, aimed at improving accuracy and reducing revenue leakage.

Looking ahead, the Minister urged importers to ensure full compliance with customs requirements, warning that the Government will continue to enforce existing laws.

“It’s easier to pay upfront and do your entries properly than to have us come back later,” he said.

Robinson also cautioned against the practice of collecting duties from customers without remitting them to the Government, noting that such funds legally belong to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He reaffirmed that while the Government is prepared to work with businesses to resolve outstanding issues, accountability remains essential.

“We want trade to flow smoothly and efficiently,” Robinson said. “But it must also be done honestly.”

The enforcement initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to strengthen revenue collection and ensure that public funds are fully accounted for and used to support national development priorities.