Customs Begins Freight Forwarders Engagement on Review of Licensing Fees
Customs Begins Freight Forwarders Engagement on Review of Licensing Fees
Nifemi Coker
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun consultations with key industry stakeholders on a proposed review of licensing renewal fees for Licensed Customs Agents, as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen professionalism and regulatory efficiency in the freight forwarding sector.
The move, which falls under Sections 103 to 107 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, was disclosed during a high-level meeting with 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).
The engagement, held at the NCS headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, August 7, 2025, marked the first in a series of consultation sessions ahead of the planned implementation.
A statement by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, noted that the licensing of Customs Agents is a critical safeguard for the integrity of Nigeria’s cargo clearance process.
The planned fee review seeks to align with current economic realities, including exchange rate fluctuations, address operational demands, and ensure that only agents who meet compliance, competence, and integrity requirements remain in the system.
The NCS said the exercise is part of broader modernisation efforts aimed at repositioning the Service to meet evolving international trade and border management needs.
The new licensing regime, scheduled to take effect in January 2026, is expected to create a more transparent, predictable, and efficient framework that benefits compliant operators and the trading public.
Licensed Customs Agents who comply with the updated structure will enjoy incentives such as faster processing timelines, improved communication channels with Customs officers, and better integration with upgraded digital platforms. These measures are designed to encourage adherence to professional standards while deterring sharp practices.
The Service pledged an inclusive process, assuring that feedback from associations, individual operators, and relevant government agencies will be carefully considered before finalising the policy.
The NCS further reaffirmed the its commitment to fairness, transparency, and fostering a secure, competitive, and efficient trading environment in Nigeria.
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