NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE HOLDS CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON REVIEW OF LICENSING RATES FOR CUSTOMS AGENTS
In line with its statutory mandate under Sections 103 to 107 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen professionalism and regulatory efficiency in the freight forwarding sector, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced consultations with stakeholders on a proposed review of licensing renewal fees for Licensed Customs Agents.
This development was announced during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja. Present at the meeting were executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), and the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC). This session marks the first in a series of consultations with key industry players ahead of the planned implementation.
The licensing of Customs Agents remains a vital component of maintaining integrity within Nigeria’s cargo clearance processes. The proposed fee review seeks to reflect prevailing economic conditions—including fluctuations in exchange rates—address operational realities, and ensure that only agents who meet the Service’s compliance, competence, and integrity benchmarks continue to operate. The overarching goal is to promote accountability, streamline processes, and elevate service delivery across the freight forwarding sector.
The initiative also forms part of broader NCS modernisation efforts aimed at repositioning the Service to meet the dynamic needs of international trade and effective border management. The anticipated outcome is a more transparent, predictable, and efficient licensing framework that delivers tangible benefits to compliant operators and the wider trading public. Subject to the outcome of stakeholder consultations, the revised licensing structure is scheduled to take effect in January 2026.
Licensed Customs Agents who comply with the new licensing framework will be eligible for enhanced facilitation measures, including faster processing timelines, improved communication channels with Customs officers, and seamless integration with the NCS’s upgraded digital platforms. These incentives are designed to reward professionalism and discourage unethical practices within the industry.
The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to a transparent and inclusive process. Feedback from industry associations, individual operators, and relevant government stakeholders will be carefully considered before final decisions are made. The Service reiterates its dedication to fairness, regulatory clarity, and the promotion of a secure, competitive, and efficient trade environment in Nigeria.
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