Tension As CRFFN Issues Fresh Date; August 1st 2021 for POF Collection
…Directs Terminal Operators not Exit Cargoes without payment
By DAPO OLAWUNI
There are indications that the cost of cargo clearance from Nigerian ports would now increase as the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has once again issued a fresh date, August 1st 2021 for the collection of the controversial Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) at all ports terminals in Nigeria.
Under the POF regime, the CRFFN is targeting between N5 billion to N10 billion annually from the collection of the POF.
Under the POF regime, importers would pay N3.5 per tone of cargo imported into the country, N1.5 per kilo for air cargo, N1, 000 on each imported 20-feet container and N2, 000 per 40-feet container.
DAILY TREND NEWS recalls that four months ago, precisely March 1st 2021, the Council had made first attempt to collect the POF at Port terminals, however the collection was shortlived as freight forwarders kicked against it and even dragged the CRFFN to court.
However, in a notice to port users issued by Grimaldi Shipping, a copy of which was sighted by DAILY TREND NEWS, the terminal stated that payment of CRFFN dues is now a compulsory requirement for releasing of cargoes.
The notice signed by management of the shipping company, warned that Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) would no longer be signed except POF payment is reflected.
The notice read “This is to bring to your notice, the need for all customers to comply with the government regulations with regards to POF charges.
We have been advised by CRFFN that payment of the statutory due is one of the conditions to release shipment from the port”
“We therefore urge our customers to make payment of this due through various channels made available by CRFFN before approaching our office for DO/TDO”
“CRFFN would send us the payment confirmation directly to be captured by our system digitally, hence there is no need for customers to present any physical payment proof”
“Please note that we would not be able to issue DO/TDO if payment of POF is not done through proper CRFFN channels”
“This shall become mandatory, effective 1st of August 2021”
The CRFFN POF collection was approved by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed in 2020.
