From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled far-reaching trade facilitation reforms to educe cargo clearance delays, and promote voluntary compliance and strengthen the fight against smuggling.
The Service also maintained that it does not arbitrarily increase import duty charges.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, disclosed this during the Zone ‘C’ Media Parley held at The Event Place, Agip Estate, 3rd Avenue, Road 1, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Maiwada said the Service was leveraging technology and modern customs procedures to simplify trade, enhance revenue generation and improve border security in line with international best practices.
He explained that one of the flagship reforms is the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which rewards compliant importers and exporters with faster cargo clearance, fewer physical inspections and priority treatment at ports.
According to him, the initiative is designed to encourage voluntary compliance by trusted traders while reducing delays associated with legitimate imports and exports.
The Customs spokesman also highlighted the introduction of the Advance Ruling system, describing it as a legally binding decision that provides importers with certainty on the classification, valuation and origin of goods before shipment.
He noted that an advance ruling remains valid for one year, eliminating disputes over tariff classification during cargo clearance.
Maiwada further announced that the Nigeria Customs Service has successfully developed an indigenous cargo clearance platform designed entirely by Nigerian experts, saying the locally developed technology has become the operational backbone of customs clearance nationwide.
According to him, the platform has already gained international recognition after Trade Modernisation Project Limited was selected by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat as a model for regional trade facilitation.
He revealed that the Service had also commenced the integration of cargo scanning technology with declaration systems to enhance non-intrusive inspection, improve efficiency and reduce human interference in cargo examination.
On anti-smuggling operations, Maiwada said Customs had intensified intelligence-driven enforcement through modern surveillance technology, geofencing and specialised operations across the country’s borders.
He said the recently established enforcement units had recorded significant seizures, particularly of smuggled petroleum products, while assuring Nigerians that more results would emerge as operations expand during the second half of 2026.
The Customs image maker stressed that despite changes in government fiscal policies, the Service does not independently impose or increase import duties.
“Customs does not increase charges. We only implement fiscal policies approved by the Federal Government. If government reduces duty to zero per cent, we implement zero per cent. If government approves 35 per cent, we collect accordingly,” he said.
He explained that import duty calculations are based on internationally accepted Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) values, which account for variations in freight costs between different ports.
Speaking on seized goods, Maiwada said disposal follows laid-down legal procedures, including court processes where necessary.
He explained that depending on the circumstances, seized items may be auctioned, destroyed, allocated to government agencies or otherwise disposed of in accordance with existing laws.
On the interception of illegal arms and ammunition, he disclosed that such items are handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution.
Maiwada also listed commonly intercepted contraband to include unregistered pharmaceutical products, illicit drugs such as tramadol and codeine, cannabis, petroleum products and other prohibited imports.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that Nigeria Customs aligns its operations with global green customs initiatives and international environmental conventions.
According to him, environmental levies on certain imported vehicles are based on emission standards aimed at reducing carbon pollution and encouraging environmentally friendly imports.
The Customs spokesman assured stakeholders that the Service would continue engaging the media through regular briefings and public enlightenment programmes to improve transparency and strengthen public understanding of customs reforms.
Earlier, the Acting Controller of the Eastern Marine Command, Deputy Comptroller E.E. Esiet reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to collaboration with the media in promoting accurate information on customs activities.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi-Lagos Abiola, thanked journalists for their participation and urged them to sustain their partnership with the Service in promoting balanced and factual reporting on customs operations and national development.
