In a bid to clear the backlog of consignments stuck at the Apapa Port as a result of their Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) not processed, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)has introduced another fast clearance procedure to enable their owners take delivery of the consignments at the port.
This is a special offer for agents operating at the Apapa Area command who have been complaining bitterly about the non-processing and issuance of PAAR by customs to enable them clear their goods. For some time now, importers and their agents have been lamenting the adverse effect of the PAAR regime on clearance of goods at the Port.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Charles Edike announced the offer during a meeting with representatives of the various freight forwarding associations including the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA) last Thursday.
Edike told the agents that the Comptroller- General, AlhajiAbdullahiDikko, has offered to grant importers whose PAARs have not been uploaded and consignments lying in the port between January and March 15th a special arrangement to clear their goods from the port.
“Any of the importers whose consignment falls into this category should send a letter to the CAC’s office immediately and we will immediately perform physical examination on such consignment and release it,” Edike said.
Also, the ASYCUDA project manager of the command, Yusuf Malanta, who spoke with the agents after the meeting, explained the offer by the customs high command is strictly for importers who have difficulties generating their PAARs document.
He said the new arrangement should not be mistaken for provisional release, adding that the affected agents are required to apply to the area controller with evidence of all import documents from the bank after which examination will be conducted on the consignment.
