The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has issued an advisory to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over proposed increases in licensing fees for customs agents, chandlers, and bonded terminal operators.
In a position paper released by the Head of Research at SEREC, Fwr Eugene Nweke , called for a more balanced, inclusive, and professionally structured licensing framework that aligns regulatory oversight with the operational realities of the maritime industry.
According to the paper, the Center warned that exorbitant fee hikes could stifle small and medium sized businesses, discourage new entrants, and ultimately hamper efficiency within the customs clearance system. Instead, it proposed a tiered, competency based licensing system with provisions for ongoing training and professional development.
SEREC further advised against using recapitalisation, consolidation, or forced mergers as a means of enforcing licensing reform, arguing that such approaches could be time consuming and detrimental to industry diversity. It urged the NCS to engage in broad based stakeholder consultations including with bodies like the Nigeria Shippers Council and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to ensure that policy decisions reflect the realities and needs of all players in the sector.
The Center also proposed that customs agents receive a fair share of revenue from duties collected, as a way to promote compliance and discourage collusion. SEREC’s position highlights the broader need for a licensing reform that enhances professionalism and compliance without imposing undue burdens on legitimate operators.
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