Efforts are on to speed-up the clearance of items at the Bridgetown Port, as officials admit to a backlog.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn says a key factor is an upsurge in shipped items, due to the increased online shopping by Barbadians, who have been unable to travel as accustomed.

He says this is putting increased pressure on customs in trying to process the goods for clearance resulting in the back ups and long delays being experienced by both commercial and regular customers.

He was speaking to Starcom Network News on the side-lines of a donation of 15 thousand dollars from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados to the Adopt A Family program.

Mr. Straughn says additional officers will be assigned to help clear the backlog.

And Comptroller of Customs Owen Holder say his department has put measures in place for any spike in the barrel trade.