PRESQUE ISLE — In his first trip to Maine, the first trade ombudsman for the U.S. Customs Service was greeted by complaints about commercial ports of entry on the U.S.-Canadian border in Aroostook County.

Kent S. Foster met with about 30 truckers, brokers and other residents to hear complaints regarding the U.S. Customs Service. Appointed in April, Foster’s job is to listen to members of the import community and report their opinions, suggestions and comments to Customs authorities.

During the Tuesday session, sponsored by Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development, most of the discussion centered on a permit process to allow commercial vehicles through ports of entry other than those designated as commercial ports. In Maine, Houlton, Jackman and Calais have been designated as commercial ports.

If an importer wants to enter through another port, the importer must apply for a permit from the U.S. Customs Service. However, truckers and dealers charged that many times the permits have been revoked or denied.

The result has been increased transportation costs, since the commercial vehicles are directed to the Houlton port rather than to more convenient ports such as Fort Kent or Van Buren.

A broker described a situation where a truck may be partially loaded with potatoes in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, and then must come to central Aroostook County to complete the load. Crossing the border at Houlton, rather than at Fort Fairfield, to pick up potatoes in Presque Isle is “not economically feasible,” he said.

A developer said that forcing commercial traffic through only one port of entry into Aroostook County would stifle development through time and financial delays.

A fertilizer dealer said that loads from Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, destined for Presque Isle and routed through the Houlton port are costing him between $12,000 and $15,000 more in transportation costs annually.

While the free trade agreement between the United States and Canada is meant to maximize commercial opportunities, the permit issue appears to limit commercial trade, said James Patterson.

“It appears to be a conflicting policy,” Patterson said. “How does that get reconciled?”

According to Emery Ingalls, district director for the U.S. Customs Service in Portland, the permits are issued on a port-by-port basis.

“If there are any particular hardships, we want to hear about them,” Ingalls told the group. “Partial loads are permissible. If they are denied, we’re sorry and we will correct it if you make us aware of it.”

The permits are issued to the party paying the bond for the imported merchandise, Ingalls explained.

Other complaints focused on alleged overreaction by border patrol agents. A Bridgewater resident described incidents where agents may have gone overboard in enforcement.

A retired immigration official said that border patrol officials inflate statistics on seized vehicles and criminal aliens so as to get more money from Congress for the “war on drugs.”

“We don’t have that drug problem here in Maine,” the retired official said.