Many companies and businesses are facing increased difficulties in using the new Customs IT system, the Nationalist Party said Friday.

"This is disrupting their operations and wasting valuable time, while also upsetting their workflow dynamics. The new Customs system is riddled with problems and shortcomings, and it is not reliable."

"Processes that until recently were done electronically, such as Dispatch Notes, are now being written by hand due to ongoing issues with the system. Instead of progress, this system's confusion is causing regression," the PN's statement, signed by Graham Bencini, the party's Shadow Minister for Finance, read.

"Companies that spoke to the PN said they were not given adequate training on the new system, and the test environment meant to give them a chance to familiarise themselves with the system before it went live was only sent to them three days before the live system came into effect.

Even Customs officials themselves were not given the necessary training to ensure the transition to the new system was as smooth as possible. One understands that new systems may come with some teething problems, but it is unacceptable for a new system to set us back instead of moving us forward with the times."

Operators, importers, exporters, and consumers are all suffering the negative consequences of this situation, it said.

The PN urges that this situation be addressed and resolved without delay, through serious and concrete intervention to correct the problems and reduce the impact on the commercial community.