The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has warned area commands and its various units against indiscriminate issuance of alerts.
The NCS places an alert on cargoes that were wrongly classified or under value during valuation.
However, there have been complaints from clearing agents over multiple alerts from different units of Customs on the same cargo, an action which they say hinders trade by delaying cargo clearance and adding to the high cost of doing business for importers.
In a circular titled “Indiscriminate Intervention Alert” signed by Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Tariff and Trade, HK Gunmi, a copy of which was sighted by Maritime Today Online, the NCS frowned at the indiscriminate intervention alert by its operatives, saying it is contrary to the harmonized, simplified clearance procedure and hindrance to the facilitation of legitimate trade.
The circular dated April 14, 2023 reads in part,” The headquarters has observed with dismay the indiscriminate intervention alert by area commands and units which is contrary to the harmonized, simplified clearance procedure and hindrance to the facilitation of legitimate trade.
“Consequent to the above, you are directed to send any findings or observations on any transaction (s) that requires an intervention alert to the office of the Deputy Comptroller General (Tariff and Trade) via hq-system.audit@customs .gov.ng as no hard copy alert is allowed.”
