much-complained-about process of going through Bermuda Customs was unveiled to the Works and Engineering Minister yesterday.

The Hon. Clarence Terceira was shown the Immigration area where the time it takes passengers to pass through inspection has been cut from more than one minute to just 30 seconds by way of improved computerised checks.

The changes in the Customs and baggage claim area include more Customs stations and a separate "green light'' corridor.

At the discretion of a Customs officer most arriving tourists and some residents will be allowed to leave the Civil Air Terminal through the "green light'' corridor without having to open up their luggage at the Customs stations, Collector of Customs Mr. Gerry Ardis said.

The number of Customs stations has been increased from six to nine to speed up the flow of returning residents -- and those tourists not allowed through the "green light'' corridor.

Along with the speedier process of clearing Customs is heightened security, Mr. Ardis said.

More one-way windows have been put in at various locations enabling Customs officers to scan the entire arrivals area from the baggage claim section to the Customs stations.

And more "sophisticated methods'' of detecting drug smugglers have been put in place, Mr. Ardis said, adding the methods will hopefully reduce the number of people subjected to body searches.

"We are still in the business of intercepting drug couriers, but recognise we have to treat passengers passing through with respect and sensitivity,'' he said.

Mr. Ardis would not disclose the new methods except to say they will include surveillance cameras.

Now that there are more Customs inspection benches Mr. Ardis said he hopes to introduce an "express line'' for businessmen returning from short trips with only briefcases or small bags.

"The idea is not to give some people preferential treatment, but rather speed up the flow of passengers,'' he said.

A coffee room and more offices for Customs have also been put in, and the entire arrivals area has been covered in grey Endura tile.

The outer arrivals area has also been "tidied up'' and made larger, Dr.

Terceira said, making it easier for tourists to find the transportation they desire.

And a computerised airline arrivals schedule has been installed to notify people waiting for family and friends if flights are on time.

"At the end of the day we have improved the first image visitors get of Bermuda and enabled people who work here to carry out their jobs better,'' Dr.

Terceira said. "The flow of passengers through Immigration and Customs has also been improved tremendously.'' The first phase of renovations to the arrivals area was completed by BTS Construction on time and on budget at just under $400,000.

Construction began in January and the airport was kept in operation at all times.

The second phase of renovations to the arrivals area, which involves $500,000 worth of changes to the Immigration area, has already begun and is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

The referrals booths, presently located behind Immigration counters will be moved in front of them.

Dr. Terceira said there had been cases where passengers told to go to one of the booths simply carried on through to the baggage claim section -- often undetected.

The other changes involve putting in a new ceiling and better lighting, and moving the Visitors Service Bureau desk to somewhere near its original position -- in the corridor leading to the baggage claim area.

The desk is now located in the area where people line up for Immigration inspection.