Nigeria Customs To Auction Uncleared Overtime Vehicles At Lagos Ports After 2-week Ultimatum

Nigeria Customs Service to auction Overtime vehicles and containers at Lagos ports after two-week ultimatum.

Affected overtime cargoes littered around Apapa, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, PTML and Tincan Island Ports.

NCS says it will commence auctions of all uncleared overtime goods after the expiration of the grace period.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday gave a two-week ultimatum to owners of some overtime containers and vehicles littered around Lagos Ports to clear them or else the cargoes would be auctioned.

The service in an advertorial with The PUNCH stated that the affected 512 overtime cargoes are littered around Lagos Ports, including, Apapa, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Ports & Terminals Multiservice Limited, and Tincan Island Ports.

“In line with the NCS Act 2023, the under-listed overtime containers and vehicles domiciled at the under-listed commands, following a motion of exparte with suit number FHC/L/MISC/8262024 dated 28th November 2024, are hereby published for the information of the general public.

“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 service stated in the notice.

This is coming months after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi inaugurated a committee to dispose of overtime cargoes to fast-track the movement of imported goods and those for export.

Reacting to the publication on the proposed auction of overtime cargoes, the National Public Relations Officer of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, Mr Taiwo Fatobilola, said that the two weeks grace is not enough.

He urged the service to give a duty rebate or reduction instead of a two-week grace, adding that someone who was not able to raise money to clear his or her consignment for this number of time would find it difficult to clear it in two weeks.

Source : The Punch

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