EXCLUSIVE: Customs may give one month reprieve for third party containers

The Nigeria Customs Service may afterwards bend backward to give a reprieve to importers of goods caught in the unwholesome practice of third party clearance.

Our correspondent learnt that the Customs top hierarchy may have considered the appeals made by some leaders of the freight forwarders to tamper justice with mercy by giving amnesty to thousands of containers caught in the web of the illicit practice.

It would be recalled that on January 14th, 2019, the office of the Deputy Comptroller General, Trade and Tariff (DCD TNT) issued a circular, suspending clearance of goods involved in third party clearance.

These are containers which have discrepancies on consignees’ names on clearing documents such as Single Goods Declaration (SGD), Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) and Bill of Lading.

Over 5000 containers, of which 2000 are at Apapa port, were said to have been trapped at various ports in the country within the first week of the order.

However, sources claimed that the Customs authority may give a one- month window of opportunity for owners of the trapped containers to clear them out of the port.

Even though, our correspondent could not confirm the date for the commencement of the reprieve period, but it was gathered that any of such goods that are not exited during this period will be forfeited to the federal government.

It was not however clear if the amnesty will carry a penalty.

Most importers and their agents who are victims of this directive have expressed their willingness to meet any condition that may be prescribed by the Customs that would ensure they take delivery of their trapped cargoes.

They vowed that they will not be caught in such an unwholesome practice in the future.

The leadership of the freight forwarders has even urged the Customs to clamp down on any container caught in such an unholy situation after the reprieve period and proclamation made by the Customs against its practice

The leadership of the freight forwarders has argued that in as much as the Customs was in order over its proclamation, the trapped containers are capable of causing congestion which may slow down the process of goods clearance at the port.
They also claimed that the action will lead to mounting demurrages on the trapped containers from both the shipping companies and terminal operators.

However, unconfirmed report has it that some importers and their agents have started to take the delivery of these category of containers trapped in the web of third party clearance through the back door.

A reluctant source claimed that such container attracts a flat ”unreceipted fees” of N250, 000, irrespective of the size before clearance procedures could commence.