Customs To Auction 164 Overtime Containers Abandoned At PTML Terminal

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday gave importers a 30-day notice to clear overtime goods in 164 containers abandoned at the ports or forfeit them to the Federal Government

This is even as Freight Forwarders have blamed SAPID Agencies, Operators of the Ikorodu Government Warehouse for charging outrageous fees and frustrating importers from taking delof their overtime cargoes.

In a notice published by the Service, it said the containers-load of goods were domiciled at the Ports and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML) in Lagos.

“Accordingly, importers and agents of the overtime goods are given a 30 days grace period from the date of publication to process and clear their goods or forfeit the same to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” NCS said.

Customs said it gave the notice on July 10, 2020 and had published it on Monday “for the information of the public.” It has also gazetted the information on the overtime containers.

The Service said it was acting in line with Section 97 (8) of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

Speaking with DAILY TREND NEWS, Chairman of the International Freight Forwarders Association (IFFA) Mr Sunny Nnebe called on the customs service to come out with a clear condition of clearance for the overtime containers at the port.

“Unfurtunately, it’s not only in PTML that is having overtime cargoes. But if customs give 30days to clear the overtime, it is a welcomed idea, but at what condition? Will the cargoes attract demurrage from shipping and terminal? If not then it is Ok at 30 days”

“However, I have not seen sincerity in customs claim on overtime, I have 10 containers out of which 8 containers has been transferred to Ikorodu Government warehouse, examination has been conducted by the custom committee on overtime and the custom at ikorodu, but for two months now, customs are yet to release the examined containers”

The remaining two containers are still lying at Ports & Cargo. If for two months, I and others alike who were ready to take our consignment are being delayed for this long, I don’t know how that of PTML will happen while they also did transfer to ikorodu” he said

The IFFA Chairman lamented that at the Ikorodu warehouse, SAPID Agencies, the terminal operators, are charging demurrage, and that shipping companies have equally laid siege at the terminal with their staff, demanding payment of demurrage before containers can exit.

He said that these are the reasons behind cargoes being left uncleared.

“Let customs issue a clear cut analysis of how to get these consignments cleared within the stipulated time” he reiterated

President of Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, asked Customs to enquire why some containers are not cleared, especially as some importers abandon their cargoes when frustrated by the clearing process.

“Some of these containers may have issues with other agencies and as a result of which they are abandoned. At times it might be as a result of multiple charges. Government agencies who also have overlapping functions with Customs might decide to hold on to these containers.

“Some of the owners may be staying abroad and may not know about this development. At times it might not be because of money,” he said.