U.S CUSTOMS COMPLETES 24-HOUR PAPER IMPORT ENTRY TEST

   U.S. Customs concludes its first simulated paper import entry tests
today at the ports of Charleston, S.C. and Savannah, Ga.
   The purpose of the test is to find out how Customs may respond to a
complete shutdown of its umbrella system, the Automated Commercial System.
   The tests were held over a 24-hour period in each port. Charleston
started Tuesday at midnight and finished at midnight yesterday. Savannah
began its test at noon yesterday and finishes at noon today.
   Customs said it has not received any complaints about cargo delays.
However, the agency will have a better idea once it has evaluated the
results.
   "Our goal is not to hold up cargo," said Vera Adams, director of cargo
and entry control for Customs. "It’s for us to see how long it takes to
process the paper entries."
   During the test, Customs expects to process about 300 paper import
entries at Charleston and another 150 paper import entries at Savannah.
   "The transaction volumes are holding during the test," Adams said.
"That’s an indication to us that the trade is fully participating in the
test."