A renowned collector of Bermudian postcards was yesterday ordered to pay more than $1,800 in Customs duty after his cruise cabin was raided last month.

And grandfather Donald Stephens has sought legal assistance after receiving the duty demand.

He was told that Customs would not release the 454 old postcards, coins and computer discs confiscated three weeks ago until he paid the duty.

But last night, Mr. Stephens, who has auctioned Bermudian memorabilia for 23 years and visited the Island 44 times, said he doubted he would pay the bill.

"I have no idea how they have calculated that I owe them $1,844 because they have not gone to the trouble to tell me,'' said the 65-year-old.

"They faxed me this demand on Friday afternoon, but I was away so I did not get it. I have no idea what to do.

"A lot of my customers have said they no longer want to buy the postcards if they have to pay duty on them, therefore I don't see the point in going to Bermuda to pick them up.

"I feel very bad about what has happened. It has put me out of business in a big way. I will continue to sell on the Internet, if I still have some customers left, but I don't know what will happen to my relationship with Bermuda.'' Mr. Stephens and his wife Barbara will return to the Island in October, as they have already booked and paid for their tickets.

However, he said plans he had to donate $200,000 worth of old postcards for display at Commissioner's House in Dockyard, and to organise a collectors' exhibition on the Island next year, were now in doubt.

Customs officers raided the Stephens' Pacific Princess cabin last month after the vessel docked in St. George's.

Investigations were carried out by both Customs and Immigration officials into Mr. Stephens' dealings with Bermuda.

Legislation stated that postcards which enter Bermuda as collection or sale items, and were not sent by holidaymakers, were liable to 22.25 percent duty.

And goods brought into either the ports of Hamilton or St. George's are also subject to a wharfage charge of just over one percent.

Mr. Stephens claimed the confiscated postcards were worth $4,000 and demanded to know how Customs chiefs came to a duty value of almost half their alleged worth.

In the letter sent to Mr. Stephens by Collector of Customs Bill LeDrew, he was warned in future to make a complete and accurate declaration of the goods he was bringing into the Country and their true value.

Failure to do so, he was told, would again leave him liable to action and a demand for duty.

Assistant Collector of Customs Winniefred Fostine-DeSilva confirmed that the file on Mr. Stephens was completed and that he was informed of the outcome of the investigation.

But she added: "That is all we are prepared to say. We do not comment on individual cases.'' Immigration officials failed to return messages left by The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Mr. Stephens said he felt bitterly disappointed by the way he was treated in Bermuda.

"I think it is very sad that it's ended this way,'' he said.

"I will be coming back to Bermuda in October and who knows what will happen after that. One thing is certain, I definitely will not be bringing anything with me.'' TAXES TAX