Freight forwarders seek clarity on Customs license fee hike, inspection exercise

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has written to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, requesting clarification on recent directives, particularly concerning the proposed increment of agents’ license and renewal fees and the criteria for an upcoming inspection of customs license agencies and bonded terminals.

Recall that the NCS has proposed increasing the annual license renewal fee from N215,000 to as high as N4 million, and new license fees up to N10 million.

In a letter dated November 10, 2025, signed by APFFLON President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, and made available to Maritime Today online, the association commended the CGC’s ongoing reform efforts but warned that limited dissemination of critical information is fueling speculation and operational uncertainty among stakeholders.

“APFFLON and its members commend the ongoing reform efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service under your distinguished leadership, particularly the initiatives aimed at enhancing professionalism, compliance, and transparency within the trade and logistics ecosystem. However, several stakeholders have expressed confusion and anxiety over unclarified directives allegedly issued from ACG A.B. Shuaibu’s office — particularly those concerning license renewal increments and the criteria for the forthcoming inspection of license holders.

“We have further observed that information on these matters has not been adequately circulated to all recognized associations and licensed operators, thereby creating room for speculation, misinterpretation, and operational uncertainty among stakeholders, ” the letter reads in part.

APFFLON urged the Comptroller General to clarify the approved position of the NCS regarding any increment in license fees, including the effective date and justification for such changes.

It called for transparent communication on the planned inspection exercise to enable adequate preparedness and compliance.

It also appealed to the Customs boss to address the issue of limited communication, ensuring that all recognized associations and legitimate license holders receive official information directly from the Service, in line with your administration’s commitment to inclusiveness and transparency.

It also called for the uniformity of customs policies to prevent conflicting directives or actions by subordinate officers that may cause confusion within the freight forwarding community

“Sir, APFFLON remains firmly supportive of all Customs reforms aimed at sanitizing the profession and strengthening integrity in trade facilitation,” the letter concluded, urging that all reforms be implemented with fairness, adequate consultation, and transparent communication.

“We trust that your esteemed office will urgently look into these concerns and provide the necessary clarifications to restore confidence and order among licensed agents and stakeholders, ” the group said.