Customs denies 'teaming system'has delayed cargo

Alan Peat THE REASON for the serious delays in release of imported cargoes at Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) - which has had FTW freight agent readers up in arms - is a result of the pre-Christmas boom, according to customs project leader, Itchie Shaik. Responding to the agents' accusations that the delays were due to customs introducing a new "teaming" system for air cargo clearances, Shaik rejected this as the reason for delays - which some agents reported as being up to five days. It was, he said, the increase in volumes (from 1 500 a day to 4 000) in the festive season rush that had caused the problem. "We have seconded a high level Siyakho member to JIA till the end of the year to sort out all the issues," said Shaik. "However, agents' claims of delays continue with Edward Little, executive director of SAAFF (SA Association of Freight Forwarders), telling FTW on the same day that "it's still a mess at the airport"