B’Odogwu: Compt Onyeka Grants Clearing Agents Soft Landing At Tin Can Port

By DAPO OLAWUNI

In an internal memo dated 4th June 2025, the Tin Can Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service has granted a soft landing to all clearing agents and stakeholders involved in clearing cargoes under the new B’Odogwu trade platform.

In a memo signed by Compt Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Command, he said a Provisional Release Extended Procedure Code (4900) has been granted to agents to make assessments for cargo which comes with Form M and PAAR already issued on NICIS but manifests transmitted to B’Odogwu.

Recall that the B’Odogwu platform, a trade facilitation tool, was only recently launched at the Tin Can Port, even as some cargoes have already been declared under the old NICIS system.

According to the customs boss “All TCIP declarants are by this Memo directed to proceed with the use of Provisional Release Extended Procedure Code (4900) to make assessments for cargo which comes with Form M and PAAR already issued on NICIS but manifests transmitted to B’Odogwu.

“This is incessant to ensure trade facilitation in the Command. Intending declarations with manifests transmitted to B’Odogwu but PAAR processed on NICIS can only proceed following the Approval from the CAC.
THIS IS STRICTLY FOR THOSE WITH PAAR ON NICIS AND MANIFEST ON B‘ODOGWU.

“All agents and stakeholders should also ensure adherence to Extant Customs Procedure regarding the use of third-party names in making assessments.

“All Consignee TINs should be verified through the JTB Portal (TAX PRO Max). The Command will not tolerate any deviation from set extant Customs Procedures regarding this.

“All TCIP Agents and stakeholders are required to continue the submission of all existing Form M on NICIS to the Technical Supervisor’s Office for re-validated on the UCMS (B’Odogwu) platform”