NAGAFF Committee Calls for Abolition of PAAR, Reintroduction of ICTN to Improve Trade Monitoring
The Trade War Advocacy Committee of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called on the Federal Government to abolish the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) regime and reintroduce the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) system as a more efficient mechanism for monitoring international trade.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media Affairs, Clement Iwegbuna, the committee said that the current PAAR system has been widely abused and manipulated, thereby undermining transparency within Nigeria’s trade facilitation framework.
According to the committee, the destination inspection trade regime remains a straightforward and transparent process that requires physical customs examination of cargo at the port of destination. Under this system, importers or declarants are expected to make honest declarations regarding the classification, value and origin of their goods.
The committee explained that it is the statutory responsibility of the Nigeria Customs Service to verify such declarations and authorize cargo release where documentation is accurate. Where discrepancies occur, customs officers are expected to refer the matter to appropriate units for resolution, including valuation, classification or enforcement departments.
It added that adopting the “One-Stop-Shop” concept in dispute resolution could help address issues quickly and reduce delays that contribute to port congestion. The committee maintained that the current PAAR regime has become prone to exploitation and corruption, warning that the system could continue to encourage irregular practices if left unchanged.
To address these concerns, the group proposed the reintroduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), which it said would provide comprehensive information on import and export consignments before they arrive in the country.
According to the committee, ICTN would strengthen cargo traceability across the logistics chain, improve transparency in trade transactions and enhance revenue generation. It noted that the system could also help curb the importation of prohibited goods, under-declaration of cargo, concealment and the movement of hazardous consignments.
The committee also called for the strengthening of the Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) function of the Nigeria Customs Service, describing it as a critical tool for improving compliance and trade facilitation in line with global standards promoted by the World Customs Organization.
In addition, it urged the government to accelerate automation in port operations through the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technologies such as hydro scanners and modern cargo scanning systems. Such measures, it said, would reduce excessive human intervention and support the development of a fully integrated Single Window trade platform that harmonises the activities of regulatory agencies.
The committee also expressed concern over the operations of some foreign nationals, particularly certain Chinese operators involved in free trade zones, bonded terminals and logistics businesses in Nigeria. It said the development raises questions about regulatory compliance and fair participation within the country’s trade ecosystem.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to address the situation to prevent what it described as potential economic exploitation of Nigeria’s trade infrastructure.
The group further called for greater engagement between government agencies and industry stakeholders in the formulation of trade policies, stressing that modern governance relies heavily on public-private collaboration.
Among the agencies it urged to strengthen stakeholder engagement are the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Nigeria Customs Service.
The committee also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discourage the extension of tenure for public officers whose statutory terms have expired, arguing that leadership renewal is necessary to allow capable officers rise within the system.
It also urged the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to halt what it described as distortions in cargo clearance procedures caused by the centralized system audit operations in Abuja.
According to the committee, efficient port operations remain vital for improving trade competitiveness, strengthening supply chains and supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.
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