Freight forwarders beg Customs for reprieve over ban on third party clearance - as over 5000 containers are trapped at Lagos ports

Funso Olojo

The big stick wielded by the Customs High Command over the unwholesome practice of ‘third party’ clearance by freight forwarders has started to take its toll on goods clearance procedures as over 5000 containers caught in the web of this practice are presently trapped at the ports.

It could be recalled that penultimate week, the Customs High Command ordered immediate stop to the clearance of goods that have discrepancies in the names of importers and other information provided in the clearing documents.

Specifically, the Customs Authority said it was alarmed at the increasing practice among freight forwarders who clear goods with Form M, Bill of laden and PAAR that carry different names from that of the consignees.

In the circular signed by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Isa Mairo Talatu, the Customs’ Comptroller General, Hameed Ali directed all Area Controllers to suspend the release, forthwith till further notice, any cargoes with discrepancies in their documentation.

However, this directive, as valid and good- intentioned as it is, has paralysed goods clearance procedures at the ports.

Lamenting the pains and frustration of freight forwarders over this development, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, the Vice-President, Western Zone of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) declared that over 5000 containers, 2000 of which are in Apapa, are currently trapped inside the Lagos ports over the issue of ‘third party’ clearance.

These are outside those trapped at other ports and border posts across the country.

Alhaji Tanko noted that even though the Customs authority was in order over its proclamation against ‘third party’ clearance, but pleaded that a reprieve be given to containers which are in this category before the ban order.

‘Unless Customs grants amnesty for this category of containers and allow them to go, they will rot away at the port because it is not possible to issue another PAAR on them” the NAGAFF chieftain explained.

He therefore pleaded with the Customs authority to temper justice with mercy over the matter.

“As leaders of the association, we are pleading for clemency. We know those freight forwarders involved in this practice are wrong while the Customs is right on its decision.

‘However, the instant enforcement of this directive has paralysed the port activities. The vibrancy of the port has slowed down and grounded to a standstill.

‘We appeal that the Customs should give time to stop this unwholesome practice. “Alhaji Tanko pleaded.

He further stated that in as much as the association was not in support of the action of his members, the group appealed to the Customs authority to create a window that will enable the erring importers and their agents take delivery of their consignments, which he noted came before the Customs order, within a particular time frame before reverting to full implementation of NICIS II.

He said that any container that is involved in this unwholesome practice thereafter could be sanctioned.

Tanko noted that the present disruption in clearance procedures caused by the Customs proclamation will have multiple effects on port operations and cost of goods.

“If this action is not reversed to allow those trapped containers to go, this will lead to port congestion, accumulation of overtime cargo and huge demurrage at shipping companies and terminal operators.

”It will also lead to high cost of goods in the market as the final costs will be transferred to the consumers” Alhaji Tanko observed.

He however said NAGAFF has embarked on series of enlightenment campaigns to educate its members on the need to comply with extant laws governing proper clearance procedures.