Business-types who go everywhere with their BlackBerry have one more thing to remember each time they leave and return to Bermuda — a yellow registration slip for Customs.

Forget to carry that document of proof of ownership and you face paying a tax duty levy or possibly having your BlackBerry taken away.

It has been reported that two BlackBerry cell phone owners had their precious handsets confiscated as they came through Customs because they were not carrying a "yellow slip" proving they had owned the device previously before leaving the Island.

With many thousands of BlackBerry owners working in Bermuda's international business sector the need to have documentation for the hi-tech cell phone device will affect many who may have thought that carrying a BlackBerry — or any other cell phone — did not require the yellow slip Customs pass.

The two confiscations have been reported by the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, which is warning its members to ensure they have the relevant registration paperwork for their BlackBerry when they go off Island.

The Chamber of Commerce is advising its members to take "the necessary steps" to ensure their Blackberry is safe.

"The Chamber has been advised by the Bermuda Customs Department that they will confiscate any BlackBerry device found on any persons re-entering the country that do not have the relevant registered paperwork," said the Chamber through its Newsline newsletter.

It also claims two customers of M3 Wireless had their BlackBerrys confiscated at Customs in the past two weeks.

However, a spokeswoman at M3 Wireless said she had not heard about that, but added that all cell phone owners needed to register their phone as an electronic device using the 52A form. The notice from the Chamber has had an immediate impact within the business community. Collector of Customs Winniefred Fostine De-Silva said yesterday there has been a large number of requests from organisations for the 52A form.

All electronic devices must be registered with Customs if they are arriving on the Island for the first time or have been purchased in Bermuda, otherwise the owner faces paying tax on the item each time they bring it back onto the Island.

Blackberrys and cell phones are no exception.

Ms Fostine De-Silva confirmed that the yellow slip is required for all cell phones. Phone owners should register their device at Customs in Hamilton or at the baggage terminal at L.F. Wade International Airport.

She said it was not enough to argue that a cell phone with a Bermuda telephone number was proof that it originated in Bermuda, as SIM cards can be transferred into a new cell handset bought overseas thereby giving an opportunity to try to dodge the tax duty.

Ronnie Viera, who heads the Chamber of Commerce's business technology division, said his employer Capital G was changing its procedures to ensure that all new phones for staff were registered with Customs at the time they are purchased.

He admitted that some people might find the requirement to register their BlackBerry and carry the registration slip on all overseas excursions a bit inconvenient.

Ms. Fostine De-Silva said she had laminated her yellow slip and kept it with her BlackBerry — previously she kept her cell phone registration slip with her passport.