Title
Comptroller
Company
Bahamas Customs Department
Bio
Mr. Charles Turner was born on 20th May, 1952 in New Providence, The Bahamas, to Bernard and Maria Turner.
At the age of seventeen, he joined the Bahamas Customs Department on 1st August, 1969 as a Trainee Customs Officer after graduating from St. Augustine’s College, New Providence.
As a focused, dedicated and humble Officer, Mr. Turner progressed steadily through the ranks of the Customs Department. He has worked in basically all areas of the Customs Department in New Providence and was posted at Family Islands’ ports as well. He was privileged to be the first Officer-in-Charge of the Customs’ operation at the Commonwealth Brewery when it opened in 1986 and the Examination’s Unit at Customs Headquarters when this Unit was introduced in 1993.
In December 1999, he attained the post of Superintendent and was assigned to the Internal Audit Section. He was then promoted to Assistant Comptroller of Customs effective 1st February, 2009 and promoted to the post Deputy Comptroller of Customs with effect from 25th March, 2011. On 30th March, 2012, Mr. Turner was promoted to the post of Comptroller of Customs.
His training was extensive in various aspects of Customs Management, Investigation, Post Importation Check, Internal Audit, World Trade Organization (WTO) Valuation Agreement and Tariff Nomenclature in the Caribbean, Canada, United States and Switzerland.
He is assisted by over 740 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel. Under his tenure, the Customs Automated System is scheduled to be replaced with a new automated system and an Electronic Single Window (ESW). These enhanced systems will integrate all of the Customs Department’s business processes with its stakeholders including Government Agencies, in an effort to increase the proficiency in the clearing of goods. The re-establishment of the Marine Unit and the introduction of the Canine Unit are scheduled to come on stream shortly.
He is married to Elva Mae Turner (nee Glinton) and they have two (2) sons and three (3) grandchildren. Mr. Turner enjoys farming and sports. He is an Anglican by faith.
