The Department of Customs announced this year it will replace the manual checking of incoming travelers at the main airports of the country with a more selective electronic system. Vicente Sanchez Baret told the audience at the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, as reported in Hoy newspaper, that the new equipment will operate using a scanner and X rays. He said it will allow more effective control of incoming travelers and eliminate the discretional inspections decided upon by customs inspectors. He said it will expedite the passing through customs for all travelers. Sanchez Baret explained that the luggage will be pre-checked by the new equipment prior to its arriving to customs. Once it enters the Customs Department only luggage pre-selected by the equipment will be inspected. He also said two exit doors will be prepared at each airport. One for travelers that have nothing to declare, and another for those with items to declare. He said a cashier will be available so that travelers can pay the required taxes on imports shortly after arriving and not have to return later. (26 January 2001)
