Christopher Kennedy, president of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica (CBFFAJ), is cautioning members of the business community to use only licensed customs brokers to transact their business at the country's ports. The commissioner of customs, he said, can account for all licensed customs brokers.

Kennedy's comments came on the heels of a broadcast carried on a national television station showing the shutdown of the Motor Vehicle Unit by a gentleman claiming to be a customs broker. The shutdown was caused by the chaining of the door at Customs House. According to Kennedy, individuals claiming to be customs brokers have access to Customs and are able to lure customers by claiming to have inside links at Customs.

Reprehensible behaviour

"We must point out that this gentleman is not a customs broker, nor is he associated with any member of our association," Kennedy stressed. "The CBFFAJ deemed this behaviour, which is being regarded as the reaction of customs brokers, totally reprehensible and intolerable."

Kennedy was speaking during a meeting with Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker at the Medallion Hall Hotel on July 3.

While Kennedy had harsh words for the illegitimate 'brokers', he warned his members: "I say beware, as the association will not tolerate unprofessional behaviour, misconduct or illicit activities on the part of any member. (The association) will be applying our constitution and canons to its fullest to address these matters as they arise."