The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a two-week deadline for the clearance of specific overtime containers and vehicles, warning that any unclaimed cargo will be auctioned.
According to an advertorial released by the NCS, the auctioning process will begin once the grace period ends, calculated from the date of the announcement.
Customs alerts Nigerians of plan to auction abandoned vehicles, containers Source: UGC
This action aligns with the provisions of the new Customs Act, granting the service authority to dispose of cargo that has overstayed its permitted duration at the ports.
Customs to auction unclaimed cargo
The publication revealed that 512 overtime cargoes are scattered across Lagos ports, including Apapa, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Ports & Terminals Multiservice Limited, and Tincan Island Ports.
The Nigeria Customs Service clarified that this action aligns with the provisions of the NCS Act 2023, following an ex parte motion filed under case number FHC/L/MISC/8262024 on November 28, 2024.
The customs said:
“Accordingly, importers/agents of the overtime goods are given a two-week grace period from the time of this publication to process and clear their goods or forfeit the same to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Please note that by the NCS Act 2023, the Nigeria Customs Service will commence auctions of all uncleared overtime goods immediately after the expiration of the grace period.”
The Act mandates that goods be disposed of via public auction or tender, with prior announcements widely disseminated through national newspapers, television, and the service’s official website.
This follows the inauguration of a committee by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, aimed at addressing overtime cargoes to expedite the flow of imported and export-bound goods.
Adeniyi highlighted that reducing port congestion remains a top priority for both the Nigeria Customs Service and President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, with a focus on improving efficiency and fostering better trade facilitation.
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Isiaka Mustapha a diploma holder in journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and a graduate of Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria, has over thirty-five years of experience in journalism. He reports security/crime-related news for the People’s Security Monitor, with a focus on Nigeria’s security architecture and other allied matters. Isiaka is currently the CEO/Editor-In-Chief, People’s Security Monitor.