NAGAFF Compliance Team Calls for Immediate Suspension of Illegal Fees at Bonded Terminals, Seeks Refund of N178m
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The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), through its 100 Percent Compliance Team, has demanded the immediate suspension and refund of what it described as illegal tolls and charges allegedly being collected from freight forwarders at some bonded terminals in Lagos.
The demand was contained in a notice signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator of NAGAFF’s 100 Percent Compliance Team, and addressed to managers of bonded terminals operating under the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, Lagos.
In the notice, NAGAFF gave the affected terminals seven days to provide documentary evidence of the legal authority backing the disputed charges or face possible regulatory and legal action.
The association alleged that some bonded terminals, alongside individuals purportedly acting on behalf of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), have been imposing additional charges on imported containers and cargo handling, separate from statutory fees payable to relevant government agencies.
According to NAGAFF, the alleged charges are as high as 6,000 for a 40-foot container, with the association claiming that more than ₦178 million has so far been collected from its members under the disputed charges.
NAGAFF said it had repeatedly requested evidence of lawful authorisation for the collections, including gazettes, approved tariffs and other regulatory instruments, but alleged that such documentation had not been provided.
The association also questioned the transparency of the collections, citing what it described as the absence of official receipts issued by relevant regulatory authorities, published tariffs or legal notices establishing the charges.
It argued that the continued collection of the disputed fees amounts to an unlawful restriction on trade facilitation and imposes additional financial burdens on freight forwarders operating through the affected terminals.
NAGAFF therefore demanded an immediate halt to the collection of the disputed charges and the refund of all sums it considers to have been unlawfully collected from its members.
It further requested that, where a refund cannot be made immediately, the affected terminals submit a written proposal for reconciliation and refund within the seven-day period.
The association warned that failure to meet its demands could trigger further regulatory and legal measures, including petitions to relevant government agencies, moves to shut down affected bonded terminals and legal proceedings to protect the interests of its members.
The notice was copied to the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), port managers, as well as the Founder and National President of NAGAFF.
NAGAFF also called on the Managing Director of the NPA to make available relevant instruments prohibiting the collection of association dues within ports and terminal areas.
Specifically, the association requested access to a purported NPA port order and a Lagos High Court order relating to the payment of such dues, saying the documents would help clarify the regulatory position on the disputed collections.
NAGAFF maintained that all charges imposed on freight forwarders and cargo owners within the port and terminal environment should have clear legal and regulatory backing.
It said such transparency and accountability were necessary to promote efficient trade facilitation and protect freight forwarders and cargo owners from what it described as unjustified financial burdens within the maritime sector.
