Association decries non-compliance with Customs licensing procedures

Publicity Secretary of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Kayode Farinto, on Wednesday expressed concern that some companies were not complying with the licensing procedures of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Farinto made the remark during an interactive session with maritime journalists in Lagos, saying the non-complaint companies had failed to comply despite the robust system of licensing put in place by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to check unscrupulous and sharp practices.

The clearing agent pointed out that there were differences between freight forwarders, customs brokers and licensed agents.

He described a freight forwarder as “an organisation or an individual who provides logistics services as an intermediary between the shipper and the carrier.”

Farinto said that locally, a freight forwarder could be someone involved in the movement of cargo from point A to B, adding that it was part of operational logistics.

“Freight forwarding encompasses total logistics chain while customs brokerage is an aspect of freight logistics chain,’’ Farinto said.

According to him, customs brokerage is a profession which involves clearance of goods through customs barriers for importers and exporters.

He said that customs brokerage involved the preparation of documents or electronic submission of calculation and payment of taxes, duties between the authority as well as importers and exporters.

Farinto said that establishment of customs brokers varies from one country to another, adding that in the U.S, the government permitted companies and individuals to obtain licensed as customs brokers.

He said that in South Korea, customs brokers were licensed by customs authority.

Farinto said that the process of customs brokerage in South Korea was broader than other countries.

He said that Nigeria Customs broker license could be obtained from Nigeria Customs Board, which is empowered by virtue of Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap 45 and Sections 153 and 156.