The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pushing for the adoption of a single document to facilitate the clearance of goods and cargos, ahead of the implementation and integration of the Port Community System (PCS) into the Single Window Project. This initiative aims to eliminate bottlenecks and barriers that hinder seamless cargo clearance, and ultimately remove obstacles to trade.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Lagos, Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Customs Area Comptroller of the Tin-Can Island Command, Controller Dera Nnadi, emphasized the importance of a single document that would be accessible to all stakeholders involved in the clearance of goods and cargos. He noted that this approach would not only remove barriers to Customs operations but also eliminate obstacles to trade, facilitating the efficient clearing of goods and cargos.
Adeniyi explained that the ultimate goal is to have a single document that can accommodate the interests of all stakeholders in the cargo clearing process, including the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant agencies. He stated, “What we are proposing here today is not just about removing barriers to Customs processes, but also about removing barriers to trade. Customs is an integral part of the global supply chain, and trade is critical to the development and success of any nation.”
He added, “The management of trade also plays a significant role in national security, as it determines what goods and cargos enter and leave Nigeria. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target of 2025 for all nations, including Nigeria, to attain the PCS, and we are working towards achieving this goal.” Since 1997, the NCS has been working to modernize its system, culminating in the Nigeria Customs Integrated Information System, which will eventually be expanded to include other community users.
The Comptroller General noted that major players in the maritime sector, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and others, are already connected to the Customs system. He emphasized that the adoption of a single document for cargo clearance would further streamline the process, making it more efficient and effective for all stakeholders involved in the clearance of goods and cargos.
