Customs extends overtime cargo automation to 120-day

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Bashir Adeniyi, has announced the automation of overtime cargo clearance and an hold of the clearance model to 120 days, successful a determination aimed astatine improving commercialized facilitation and easing concern processes crossed Nigeria’s ports.

Adeniyi disclosed this connected Monday during a one-day sensitisation programme connected the Automation of Overtime Cargo Clearance System for stakeholders successful Zone ‘A’, Lagos. Participants included consignees, brokers, terminal operators, and customs officers.

According to him, the automated strategy volition code delays often caused by abandoned consignments and drastically trim the measurement of letters seeking clearance extensions, which relationship for astir fractional of correspondence to his office.

“We person created a assistance table astatine the office to prioritise clearance of task cargoes belonging to authorities agencies. Importation is captious to Nigeria’s economical development, and our extremity is not conscionable to make gross but to guarantee goods scope their owners rapidly and efficiently,” Adeniyi said.

He noted that little than 1 per cent of cargoes arriving astatine Nigerian ports successful 2024 were classified arsenic overtime and expressed optimism that the caller strategy would destruct specified cases entirely. The NCS brag besides assured stakeholders of continuous sensitisation and encouraged terminal operators, shipping companies, and clearing agents to supply feedback for further improvement.

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Isah Umar, explained that the e-clearance strategy volition simplify procedures, heighten transparency, fortify information integrity, and minimise quality interference. He added that it volition besides supply automatic records of cargo disposal and harmonise documentation utilizing the Single Goods Declaration (SGD).

Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr. Aliyu Abdulkadir, highlighted provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which allows overtime cargoes to beryllium disposed of aft 120 days, portion perishable oregon inflammable items whitethorn beryllium disposed of instantly done e-auction oregon different approved means.

Similarly, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Ibrahim Muhammed, outlined the ICT processes underpinning the system. He explained that cargoes are classified arsenic overtime aft 30 days, with clearance escalating from the Area Controller to zonal commands and, if unresolved, to headquarters.

Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Muhammed Babadede, described the NCS arsenic the astir digitalised Customs medication successful West and Central Africa, commending the Comptroller-General for his reform-driven leadership.

The sensitisation programme featured interactive sessions wherever shipping companies, terminal operators, importers, exporters, and clearing agents sought clarifications connected the caller process. Customs absorption pledged continuous engagement to guarantee creaseless implementation of the system.

The station Customs extends overtime cargo automation to 120-day appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.