Customs 7% Collection Fee Ends, but 7% Port Development Levy Remains, CCC Clarifies
Aare Hakeem Olarenwaju, Chairman of Customs Consultative Committee (CCC)
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Customs Consultative Committee (CCC) has issued a clarification to ease tensions among port stakeholders following a recent meeting with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The CCC Chairman, Aare Hakeem Olarenwaju in a statement on Thursday addressed a crucial distinction between the two fees, noting that the discontinuation of the 7% “backstage” payment on revenue collection is not the same as the 7% Port Development Levy, which remains in effect.
During a recent consultation meeting, the NCS, led by Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, confirmed that the service had stopped the 7% backstage payment. It also directed the removal of the 1% Comprehensive Inspection and Supervision Scheme (CISS) from its portal for immediate implementation.
However, the CCC’s clarification highlights that the 7% Port Development Levy is a separate fee that the NCS has no jurisdiction over, and it continues to be collected.
The meeting also addressed other key issues. The NCS proposed a significant increase in licensing renewal fees for customs agents, a proposal met with strong resistance from freight forwarding associations.
The associations have been given until December to consult with their members and provide feedback. The Comptroller General also reaffirmed that the enforcement of the 4% FOB (Free on Board) is non-negotiable, as it is an existing law under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Additionally, both the CCC and the NCS are working to resolve technical issues related to the migration from the NICIS 2 platform to the new “B’Odogwu” platform.
“The CCC urges practitioners to go about their respective business without tension, emphasizing the importance of obedience to laws and regulations. We appreciate the NCS’s commitment to an inclusive process and look forward to continued collaboration and fair negotiations” Aare Olanrewaju stated
The committee also praised the NCS for its inclusive approach to the discussions and expressed a commitment to continued collaboration and fair negotiations.
