Founder
of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),
Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has advised freight agents against falsifying
import documents.
of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),
Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has advised freight agents against falsifying
import documents.
Aniebonam,
who gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, warned
that such falsification attracts seven years imprisonment.
who gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, warned
that such falsification attracts seven years imprisonment.
According
to the statement, the need for genuine declaration for customs purposes is
essential in safeguarding the business and national economy.
to the statement, the need for genuine declaration for customs purposes is
essential in safeguarding the business and national economy.
“Without
prejudice to Destination Inspection guidelines as to self-declaration and
assessment, the truth remains that such declaration must be done in utmost good
faith and honesty.
prejudice to Destination Inspection guidelines as to self-declaration and
assessment, the truth remains that such declaration must be done in utmost good
faith and honesty.
“We
must remind all practitioners that falsification of import documents for
Customs purposes is an offense, as forgery carries seven years’ imprisonment,”
the statement said.
must remind all practitioners that falsification of import documents for
Customs purposes is an offense, as forgery carries seven years’ imprisonment,”
the statement said.
It
also pointed out that it was unprofessional for freight agents to allow an
importer to use their companies as consignee.
also pointed out that it was unprofessional for freight agents to allow an
importer to use their companies as consignee.
“What
happens if the real importer decides to risk importation of goods which fall
under absolute prohibition like firearms, cocaine, blank invoice and currency?
happens if the real importer decides to risk importation of goods which fall
under absolute prohibition like firearms, cocaine, blank invoice and currency?
“Whereas
it is our responsibility to protect members engaged in legitimate businesses in
the ports and border stations, we may not be able to fight for and protect any
agent who is not compliant with the extant rules and regulations governing
cargo clearance out of ports,” the statement said.
it is our responsibility to protect members engaged in legitimate businesses in
the ports and border stations, we may not be able to fight for and protect any
agent who is not compliant with the extant rules and regulations governing
cargo clearance out of ports,” the statement said.
It
noted with satisfaction that the Nigeria Customs Service had suspended a number
of its personnel found to have violated the Customs Excise Management Act
(CEMA).
noted with satisfaction that the Nigeria Customs Service had suspended a number
of its personnel found to have violated the Customs Excise Management Act
(CEMA).
The
act deals with issues of concealment, false declaration, wrong descriptions of
import, over invoicing, under valuation and under invoicing of imports.
act deals with issues of concealment, false declaration, wrong descriptions of
import, over invoicing, under valuation and under invoicing of imports.
The
statement also indicated that the organisation would support the customs
service by exposing freight agents and customs officials involved in fraudulent
practice at the ports.
statement also indicated that the organisation would support the customs
service by exposing freight agents and customs officials involved in fraudulent
practice at the ports.
“It
is to our knowledge that some freight agents do connive with some unscrupulous
officers to inject non-existing items into Customs documentation to reduce the
appropriate duty payable.
is to our knowledge that some freight agents do connive with some unscrupulous
officers to inject non-existing items into Customs documentation to reduce the
appropriate duty payable.
“At
the moment, NAGAFF is compiling names of such officers in Abuja Pre-Arrival
Assessment Report (PAAR) Ruling Centre for the attention of the
Comptroller-General of Customs.
the moment, NAGAFF is compiling names of such officers in Abuja Pre-Arrival
Assessment Report (PAAR) Ruling Centre for the attention of the
Comptroller-General of Customs.
“NAGAFF
is also interested in knowing those freight agents distorting due processes of
PAAR regime in order to submit their names for sanction by the Council for the
Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
is also interested in knowing those freight agents distorting due processes of
PAAR regime in order to submit their names for sanction by the Council for the
Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
“The
use of corporate bodies as licensed agents of the Customs is not helping the
ongoing reform and compliance in Customs operations,” Aniebonam said.
use of corporate bodies as licensed agents of the Customs is not helping the
ongoing reform and compliance in Customs operations,” Aniebonam said.
He
said the aim was to enhance capacity, integrity and professionalism in customs
operations.
said the aim was to enhance capacity, integrity and professionalism in customs
operations.
