The National
Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed
fears that over 10,000 jobs will be lost if and when the proposed closure of
the DTI cafes takes effect in April.
Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed
fears that over 10,000 jobs will be lost if and when the proposed closure of
the DTI cafes takes effect in April.
This was
disclosed in a letter signed by NAGAFF’s Secretary General, DR. Arthur Igwilo, addressed to the Minister of Finance,
copying the President of Nigeria, the
Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
disclosed in a letter signed by NAGAFF’s Secretary General, DR. Arthur Igwilo, addressed to the Minister of Finance,
copying the President of Nigeria, the
Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Also copied were the Secretary to the Federation, the Transport Minister, Comptroller-General
of Customs, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the
Registrar of CRFFN.
of Customs, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the
Registrar of CRFFN.
The association said
a closure of the DTI cafes by the Nigeria Customs Service, which served for the purposes of capturing relevant
documents for import clearance, would automatically throw young freight
forwarders out of their jobs.
a closure of the DTI cafes by the Nigeria Customs Service, which served for the purposes of capturing relevant
documents for import clearance, would automatically throw young freight
forwarders out of their jobs.
NAGAFF argued
that the customs licensing regime for the clearance of goods at the ports which
favours corporate bodies as against individuals, which the association had been
clamouring, was in contravention of the Customs and Excise Management Act
(CEMA).
that the customs licensing regime for the clearance of goods at the ports which
favours corporate bodies as against individuals, which the association had been
clamouring, was in contravention of the Customs and Excise Management Act
(CEMA).
The association
said that the idea of preferring to license only corporate bodies and firms was
mainly to shield some customs officers who have licences under corporate name
to operate even while on the job.
said that the idea of preferring to license only corporate bodies and firms was
mainly to shield some customs officers who have licences under corporate name
to operate even while on the job.
The letter read
that, “What this means in effect is that
as freight forwarders they would no longer be able to carry out their functions
in the ports as it relates to Customs formalities. We will want to inform you
that this announcement by the Customs authorities is already creating
restiveness in the port as the young freight forwarders are apprehensive of the
loss of their means of livelihood.
that, “What this means in effect is that
as freight forwarders they would no longer be able to carry out their functions
in the ports as it relates to Customs formalities. We will want to inform you
that this announcement by the Customs authorities is already creating
restiveness in the port as the young freight forwarders are apprehensive of the
loss of their means of livelihood.
“We do hope that
it does not result to violence and withdrawal of service by the greater numbers
who are well over 10,000 practitioners rather than a less than 1000 operational
licences of the Customs. There is also the danger of a massive distress in the
life of port operations in view of the fact that Nigeria Customs Service is a
very strategic Agency of the Government in our entry points.
it does not result to violence and withdrawal of service by the greater numbers
who are well over 10,000 practitioners rather than a less than 1000 operational
licences of the Customs. There is also the danger of a massive distress in the
life of port operations in view of the fact that Nigeria Customs Service is a
very strategic Agency of the Government in our entry points.
“The country is
presently grappling with a lot of challenges in the maritime sector and we feel
that to add this not well thought out policy might be a disaster in the making.”
presently grappling with a lot of challenges in the maritime sector and we feel
that to add this not well thought out policy might be a disaster in the making.”
The association
told the Minister that it was of the opinion that the “practice of licencing of
Corporate body to perform function may be inappropriate at the moment because
it does not meet the global trends in international trade supply chain and security of
cargo more so, in the context of the Act 16, 2007.”
told the Minister that it was of the opinion that the “practice of licencing of
Corporate body to perform function may be inappropriate at the moment because
it does not meet the global trends in international trade supply chain and security of
cargo more so, in the context of the Act 16, 2007.”
They argued that
while the Legal Notice 95 of 1968, Section 156 of CEMA clearly stated that the
categories of those that the Nigeria Customs Board could License should include
corporate bodies, firms and individuals, the Board had not deemed it necessary
to license individuals.
while the Legal Notice 95 of 1968, Section 156 of CEMA clearly stated that the
categories of those that the Nigeria Customs Board could License should include
corporate bodies, firms and individuals, the Board had not deemed it necessary
to license individuals.
The association
also said that the idea of preferring to license only corporate bodies and
firms was mainly to shield some customs officers who have licences under
corporate name to operate even while on the job.
also said that the idea of preferring to license only corporate bodies and
firms was mainly to shield some customs officers who have licences under
corporate name to operate even while on the job.
“For reasons
best known to the Board of Customs they have continued to licence only
corporate bodies. We state here that it is the Customs Board that may have over
time breached the CEMA with impunity by deliberately resorting to licensing
only corporate bodies despite the provisions under reference.
best known to the Board of Customs they have continued to licence only
corporate bodies. We state here that it is the Customs Board that may have over
time breached the CEMA with impunity by deliberately resorting to licensing
only corporate bodies despite the provisions under reference.
“This is a
subtle way of shielding Customs officers who may be allegedly holding a
reasonable number of the operating licences of the Customs. They hide under the
veil of incorporation by proxies and cronies whereas they are the bona fide
owners and operators of these licenses which they operate most times in the
areas they are serving.
subtle way of shielding Customs officers who may be allegedly holding a
reasonable number of the operating licences of the Customs. They hide under the
veil of incorporation by proxies and cronies whereas they are the bona fide
owners and operators of these licenses which they operate most times in the
areas they are serving.
Part of the
letter reads: “We have said it that for the maritime sector reforms to be
meaningful, particularly in the area of Customs modernization we have to professionalize
the key operators by educating and training them to imbibe the spirit of
international best practices.
letter reads: “We have said it that for the maritime sector reforms to be
meaningful, particularly in the area of Customs modernization we have to professionalize
the key operators by educating and training them to imbibe the spirit of
international best practices.
“It is only an individual not a Corporate body that can learn and acquire skills to fall in line with this
Act. This thinking is what predicated the enactment of the CRFFN Act 16 of 2007
which is a most recent Act to CEMA with an intent to provide this much needed
change.
Act. This thinking is what predicated the enactment of the CRFFN Act 16 of 2007
which is a most recent Act to CEMA with an intent to provide this much needed
change.
“It is axiomatic
that when two legislation make provisions concerning one or similar issue(s), with one earlier in time and
making specific provisions of the same concerning the self-same subject in
resolving any conflict between the two the later enactment takes precedence and
becomes superior to the earlier one.
that when two legislation make provisions concerning one or similar issue(s), with one earlier in time and
making specific provisions of the same concerning the self-same subject in
resolving any conflict between the two the later enactment takes precedence and
becomes superior to the earlier one.
“The Customs and
Excise Management Act (CEMA) as amended was enacted in 1958 and made specific
provisions in Section 153 (2)(b) as to who can act on behalf of an importer or
exporter for the purposes of providing services to them in the cargo supply
management chain.
Excise Management Act (CEMA) as amended was enacted in 1958 and made specific
provisions in Section 153 (2)(b) as to who can act on behalf of an importer or
exporter for the purposes of providing services to them in the cargo supply
management chain.
The same CEMA in
Section 156(1) has created effectively a regulatory framework under the
“CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AGENTS LICENSING REGULATIONS” otherwise tagged Regulation
95 of 1968. The provisions of Section 156(1) of CEMA and the subsidiary
legislation deriving from it constitute the legal framework that sustains the
regulatory regime existing under the Customs and Excise Management Act which is
exercised by the Nigeria Customs Service to control a segment of the logistics
supply chain called Customs Licensed Clearing Agents.
Section 156(1) has created effectively a regulatory framework under the
“CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AGENTS LICENSING REGULATIONS” otherwise tagged Regulation
95 of 1968. The provisions of Section 156(1) of CEMA and the subsidiary
legislation deriving from it constitute the legal framework that sustains the
regulatory regime existing under the Customs and Excise Management Act which is
exercised by the Nigeria Customs Service to control a segment of the logistics
supply chain called Customs Licensed Clearing Agents.
“We know as of a
fact that the word Customs Brokerage is unknown to any law in Nigeria. Customs
brokers as sub-elements of the freight forwarding business have their set
standards that are backed by an enabling Act. This is the standard that those
other parts of the world like Canada, USA, Australia etc must comply with
before they can be called Customs brokers.
fact that the word Customs Brokerage is unknown to any law in Nigeria. Customs
brokers as sub-elements of the freight forwarding business have their set
standards that are backed by an enabling Act. This is the standard that those
other parts of the world like Canada, USA, Australia etc must comply with
before they can be called Customs brokers.
“ They must have
undergone a course of training in Customs formalities and duly certificated by
the relevant authority as provided for by an Act of parliament. Right now it is
only the CRFFN by virtue of Section 1 of the CRFFN Act that has the backing of
the law to determine the Standards of Skills and knowledge to be attained by an
individual to be registered as a freight forwarder.
undergone a course of training in Customs formalities and duly certificated by
the relevant authority as provided for by an Act of parliament. Right now it is
only the CRFFN by virtue of Section 1 of the CRFFN Act that has the backing of
the law to determine the Standards of Skills and knowledge to be attained by an
individual to be registered as a freight forwarder.
“We have taken
the pains to explain in detail what a freight forwarder is so that all these
unnecessary confusion and breaches can be well understood. We are told by the
ACG Zone A of the Customs that as from the end of April 2016 all DTIs which
served as cafes for the capturing of relevant documents for import clearance
from all our entry points will be shut down and in their place only those with
Customs licenses will be issued PIN Numbers as passwords to perform clearance
of goods from the Customs control.
the pains to explain in detail what a freight forwarder is so that all these
unnecessary confusion and breaches can be well understood. We are told by the
ACG Zone A of the Customs that as from the end of April 2016 all DTIs which
served as cafes for the capturing of relevant documents for import clearance
from all our entry points will be shut down and in their place only those with
Customs licenses will be issued PIN Numbers as passwords to perform clearance
of goods from the Customs control.
“ It is
instructive to let you know that Customs licence whose RC numbers used to be
used for these functions is no longer being in used. Rather the Tax Identification
Numbers (TIN) is being used in ASYCUDA declarations.
instructive to let you know that Customs licence whose RC numbers used to be
used for these functions is no longer being in used. Rather the Tax Identification
Numbers (TIN) is being used in ASYCUDA declarations.
“One question we
continue to ask the Customs is why only license corporate bodies and not
individuals and firms as provided for by CEMA? We would suggest that instead of
giving passwords to only those who have Customs licences why not use the RFF
Numbers of registered freight forwarders for this purpose?
continue to ask the Customs is why only license corporate bodies and not
individuals and firms as provided for by CEMA? We would suggest that instead of
giving passwords to only those who have Customs licences why not use the RFF
Numbers of registered freight forwarders for this purpose?
“In the opinion
of NAGAFF it shall be our strong advice that an executive bill be initiated
from the Ministry of Transport and in collaboration with Ministry of Finance to
expunge Section 156 through a subsidiary legislation at the National Assembly,
so that this matter can be put to rest. We cannot have two separate Government
agencies regulating the industry stakeholders on the same subject i.e. freight
forwarding.
of NAGAFF it shall be our strong advice that an executive bill be initiated
from the Ministry of Transport and in collaboration with Ministry of Finance to
expunge Section 156 through a subsidiary legislation at the National Assembly,
so that this matter can be put to rest. We cannot have two separate Government
agencies regulating the industry stakeholders on the same subject i.e. freight
forwarding.
“If we are to go
by using the mischief Rule of interpretation of Statutes we would be right to
posit that, taken in its totality the coming into effect of the CRFFN Acts was
to cure the mischief inherent in the CEMA especially with regards to its
regulatory functions of the Licensed Customs Agents.
by using the mischief Rule of interpretation of Statutes we would be right to
posit that, taken in its totality the coming into effect of the CRFFN Acts was
to cure the mischief inherent in the CEMA especially with regards to its
regulatory functions of the Licensed Customs Agents.
“In the
collective wisdom of the law makers they discovered that in order to
professionalize the freight forwarding practice, it is only individuals who can
acquire skills and knowledge that is required to be professional freight
forwarders and not corporate bodies who do not have the capacities and
capability to acquire the professional skills and knowledge needed which is not
obtainable presently by the relevant provisions of CEMA.
collective wisdom of the law makers they discovered that in order to
professionalize the freight forwarding practice, it is only individuals who can
acquire skills and knowledge that is required to be professional freight
forwarders and not corporate bodies who do not have the capacities and
capability to acquire the professional skills and knowledge needed which is not
obtainable presently by the relevant provisions of CEMA.
“We urge you to
consult with the Hon. Minister of Transportation everything concerning freight
forwarding as a profession and License Customs Agency as a vocation. The point
herein contained is that it is an illegality for Customs to license any
corporate body without a person duly accredited and certified by CRFFN as the
regulatory agency of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria.
consult with the Hon. Minister of Transportation everything concerning freight
forwarding as a profession and License Customs Agency as a vocation. The point
herein contained is that it is an illegality for Customs to license any
corporate body without a person duly accredited and certified by CRFFN as the
regulatory agency of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria.
“The Hon.
Minister should be aware that Licensed Customs Agents are subsumed as secondary
freight forwarders in the transportation chain, i.e. the carriage of goods and
services across the international boundaries of a state to arrive at the final
destination. The point herein made is that any license issued by the Customs
without a clearance from CRFFN is an illegality.
Minister should be aware that Licensed Customs Agents are subsumed as secondary
freight forwarders in the transportation chain, i.e. the carriage of goods and
services across the international boundaries of a state to arrive at the final
destination. The point herein made is that any license issued by the Customs
without a clearance from CRFFN is an illegality.
“The urgency for
the Hon. Minister of Transportation and Finance Minister to meet in this regard
with a view to harmonizing the two legislative instruments cannot be over
emphasized because if nothing urgent is done and the Nigeria Customs Service go
ahead to implement the password orders for Licensed Customs Agents, the essence
or otherwise of CRFFN have become invalid. We again repeat our advice that the
permanent solution to this conflict of interest is to expunge Section 156 of
CEMA through legislation.
the Hon. Minister of Transportation and Finance Minister to meet in this regard
with a view to harmonizing the two legislative instruments cannot be over
emphasized because if nothing urgent is done and the Nigeria Customs Service go
ahead to implement the password orders for Licensed Customs Agents, the essence
or otherwise of CRFFN have become invalid. We again repeat our advice that the
permanent solution to this conflict of interest is to expunge Section 156 of
CEMA through legislation.
“In the interim,
the position of Hon. Minister of Transport should be upheld by the Finance
Minister to ensure that Licensed Customs Agents subject themselves to the
control and regulation of freight forwarders council. The registered numbers of
the individual freight forwarders should be the bases of issuance of password
other than corporate body licensed by the Customs.
the position of Hon. Minister of Transport should be upheld by the Finance
Minister to ensure that Licensed Customs Agents subject themselves to the
control and regulation of freight forwarders council. The registered numbers of
the individual freight forwarders should be the bases of issuance of password
other than corporate body licensed by the Customs.
“ It is on
record that Nigeria Customs Service is primarily using TIN numbers for
declarants and not necessarily RC numbers of corporate companies. And for the
records and in facts, the Customs law does not deal nor transact business with
Freight/Licensed Customs Agents Associations,” the letter reads.
record that Nigeria Customs Service is primarily using TIN numbers for
declarants and not necessarily RC numbers of corporate companies. And for the
records and in facts, the Customs law does not deal nor transact business with
Freight/Licensed Customs Agents Associations,” the letter reads.
