The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated a critical consultation process with stakeholders in the freight forwarding industry ahead of a planned review of licensing renewal fees for Licensed Customs Agents, scheduled to take effect from January 2026.
This announcement was made on Thursday, August 7, during a high-level meeting held at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, involving key stakeholders including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), and the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC).
🧾 Why the Review?
According to the NCS, this review is in line with its statutory mandate under Sections 103 to 107 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and forms part of broader reforms aimed at:
Modernizing regulatory practices
Reflecting current economic conditions such as fluctuating exchange rates
Upholding professional standards within the sector
Promoting accountability and compliance
The Service stressed that the objective is not just to revise rates, but to ensure that only agents who meet stringent competence, compliance, and integrity standards are licensed to operate in Nigeria’s cargo clearance ecosystem.
📊 What Agents Should Expect
Once implemented, the new licensing structure will:
Introduce revised fees aligned with current economic realities
Improve service delivery and processing timelines
Provide access to digital platforms and improved customs-agent interfaces
Offer facilitation incentives for compliant and professional agents
Licensed Customs Agents who adhere to the new framework will enjoy priority services and digital integration benefits as part of NCS’s drive toward full modernization.
🤝 An Inclusive and Transparent Process
The NCS reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive and transparent process, ensuring that the voices of industry professionals, freight forwarders, and related government bodies are heard and incorporated.
“Feedback from industry associations, individual operators, and government agencies will be carefully considered before finalizing the review,” the statement emphasized.
The consultation held on Thursday marks the first in a series of engagements that will continue in the coming weeks, as the Service prepares for the official rollout.
📌 Official Statement
“The review forms part of broader modernization efforts targeted at repositioning the NCS to meet the evolving needs of international trade and border management,”
— Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, Assistant Comptroller of Customs,
National Public Relations Officer,
For Comptroller-General of Customs.
📅 Effective Date:
January 2026, pending conclusion of consultations.
🛃 About the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The NCS plays a vital role in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, responsible for border security, customs duties, and regulatory enforcement. Through ongoing reforms, the Service aims to streamline operations, enhance transparency, and foster a competitive trading environment.
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