ANLCA Western Zone rejects shipping lines’ fee hike, seeks Tinubu’s ntervention

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Western Zone, has rejected the planned increase in local charges by shipping companies, warning that the move could disrupt operations if allowed to stand.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the Coordinator of ANLCA Western Zone, Femi Anifowose, described the proposed charges as arbitrary and unjustifiable, singling out Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) over its decision to raise Import Documentation fees by 30 per cent and Port Additional Charges by 60 per cent, effective January 1, 2026.

Anifowose said the association has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene by directing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), to stop the planned increment.

According to him, shipping lines failed to give stakeholders adequate notice or provide convincing reasons for the increase, despite the relative stability of diesel, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and foreign exchange in the last 18 months.

“There is absolutely no reasonable basis for these increments at this time. Fuel prices and forex pressures have eased considerably, yet shipping lines continue to impose fresh charges on importers and agents without transparency,” Anifowose said.

He further disclosed that MSC issued what he described as an impromptu invitation to a stakeholders’ meeting on December 23, 2025, scheduling it for December 30, 2025, where the new charges were announced to take effect within just 48 hours, from January 1, 2026.

Anifowose faulted the timing of the meeting, noting that it was held when many importers, freight forwarders and relevant government agencies could not attend, making genuine consultation impossible.

“The so-called stakeholders’ meeting was neither inclusive nor consultative. Critical players were absent, yet decisions affecting the entire port system were taken,” he said.

ANLCA Western Zone is therefore demanding an immediate postponement of the new charges, insisting that any review must involve proper and holistic engagement with freight forwarders, shippers and officials of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

The association warned that continued imposition of what it described as unilateral and exploitative charges could force freight agents to withdraw their services or embark on protests across the ports.

MSC’s revised charges shows that Import Documentation fees for 20ft containers were increased from ₦45,000 to ₦58,500, while 40ft containers rose from ₦72,000 to ₦93,600. Port Additional Charges for 20ft containers jumped from ₦50,000 to ₦80,000, and 40ft containers from ₦100,000 to ₦160,000, all effective January 1, 2026.

Several ANLCA leaders, including the Western Zone Secretary, Alhaji Idowu Owoade; National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Oyeme; Chairman, Tincan Island Port Chapter, Prince Olawale Cole; and Chairman, KLT Chapter, Chief Ahmed Olajide Bello, attended the press briefing.