The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a smart move to decongest the seaports through the deployment of an automated system for the clearance of overtime cargoes.
Launching the digital system in Lagos on Monday, the comptroller general of customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi said the automation would accelerate the evacuation of long-stalled consignments and free up space for fresh imports.
He explained that the digital system would eliminate delays associated with manual processes, while enhancing efficiency, transparency, and compliance with regulations.
The customs chief stated that overtime cargoes—consignments which are not cleared beyond the legally allowed time frame—pose a major challenge to port operations.
Under the new systems, Adeniyi said cargoes not cleared within 30 days will be automatically referred to the office of the assistant comptroller-general for approval, while those left beyond three months will move to customs headquarters for further action.
“After 120 days, uncleared cargoes will be transferred to the disposal stage, following all legal procedures. At that stage, valuation will consider depreciation and the condition of the goods before assigning a final value,” Adeniyi added.
He stressed that the initiative is not aimed at revenue generation but at streamlining processes to facilitate trade.
He disclosed that less than one per cent of the NCS’s ₦6.3 trillion revenue in 2024 came from overtime cargoes.
“Our objective is to inject transparency, reduce corruption, and make the system more efficient. The focus is on facilitating trade, ensuring timely clearance of imports, and managing space within the ports,” he said.
Adeniyi emphasised that special desks had been established to fast-track clearance of critical government and private-sector imports, including those for infrastructure, health, education, and international organizations, to avoid delays.
On the next steps, Adeniyi said more sensitisation programmes would be organised for terminal operators, shipping companies, and clearing agents across the various Customs commands.
He added that the Service would monitor implementation closely, incorporate feedback from stakeholders, and remain vigilant against possible abuse of the system.
