Customs Meets Stakeholders Over Planned Review Of Licensing Fees

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun consultations with industry stakeholders on a planned review of licensing renewal fees for licensed customs agents.

The move, according to the service, is in line with its mandate under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism and regulatory efficiency in the freight forwarding sector.

The first consultation session was held on Thursday at the NCS headquarters in Abuja 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).

Customs said the licensing of agents is a critical component in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s cargo clearance process. The planned review, it noted, is meant to reflect prevailing economic realities, address operational demands, and ensure that only agents who meet its compliance, competence, and integrity requirements continue to operate.

The service added that the new licensing regime will promote accountability, streamline processes, and enhance service delivery in the sector. The updated structure is expected to take effect in January 2026 after the conclusion of stakeholder engagements.

Under the proposed framework, licensed customs agents who comply with the new structure will enjoy faster processing timelines, improved engagement channels with officers, and enhanced integration with upgraded digital platforms. Customs said the compliance-driven incentives are designed to encourage adherence to professional standards while deterring sharp practices.

The service assured stakeholders that feedback from industry associations, individual operators, and relevant government agencies will be taken into account before finalising the review. It reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the promotion of a secure, competitive, and efficient trading environment.