The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to adopt fair and reasonable license renewal fees for customs agents as the agency prepares for a planned review set to take effect in January 2026.
In its August bulletin, signed by Head of Research Eugene Nweke, SEREC noted that ongoing consultations between the NCS and stakeholders on the proposed fee adjustments should take into account the already challenging business environment within Nigeria’s port system, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“We advise against exorbitant fee increments in the current port system given the existing operational challenges,” the bulletin stated.
The centre recommended a well-structured licensing framework to enhance professionalism, efficiency, and compliance among customs agents. It suggested a tiered licensing system with fees tailored to the type or level of service offered.
Proposed categories include:
- Standard License – for general customs clearance
- Advanced License – for complex clearances involving specialised or high-value goods
- Specialised License – for handling hazardous materials or controlled commodities
- Brokerage License – for customs brokerage services
- Multi-Tasking Operational License – for agents handling multiple service types
SEREC also stressed the importance of focusing licensing reforms on competence in customs procedures, tariff classification, valuation, and origin determination, with mandatory training and professional development for license holders.
The centre cautioned against using recapitalisation, consolidation, or mergers as tools for licensing reform, warning that such measures could lead to delays and unnecessary bottlenecks. Instead, it urged a streamlined, consultative approach that also involves the Nigeria Shippers’ Council and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
To further support compliance, SEREC proposed that agents and brokers receive a fair percentage of total duties collected as an incentive, reducing the likelihood of collusion with traders to evade payments.
While acknowledging the NCS’s initial stakeholder consultations on August 7, SEREC called for broader engagement before final decisions are made on fee increases or licensing reforms.
“SEREC believes that a collaborative and inclusive approach to licensing reform can benefit all stakeholders, including the NCS, customs agents, and the trading public. We are ready to work with the NCS to implement a framework that balances regulatory oversight with industry needs,” the statement concluded.