Nigeria Customs MMIA: Urges Action on Courier Parcel Delays

• The Nigeria Customs Service at Murtala Muhammed International Airport has urged courier companies to proactively address delays in imported parcels before Customs assessment.
• Acting Customs Area Controller Jacob Onale made this appeal during a familiarisation tour of courier services and private hangars.
• Onale emphasized that compliance and proactive measures by couriers are essential for speedy processing and seamless trade facilitation.
• Courier company representatives expressed their commitment to supporting the new CAC's administration and adhering to all relevant laws and regulations.
• The tour aimed to strengthen stakeholder engagement, boost revenue generation, and facilitate legitimate trade across the airport's operations.

The Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Area Command has issued a call to courier company managements, urging them to implement proactive strategies to resolve issues contributing to unnecessary delays of imported parcels.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Area Command has issued a call to courier company managements, urging them to implement proactive strategies to resolve issues contributing to unnecessary delays of imported parcels. This appeal specifically targets delays occurring before these consignments are formally presented to Customs for assessment, highlighting a critical bottleneck in the import process.

This directive was delivered by Jacob Onale, the newly appointed Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) for the MMIA Area Command, who holds the rank of Deputy Controller of Customs. His statement came during a familiarisation tour of various courier services and private hangars, an initiative reported on Friday following its execution on Thursday. The tour commenced at ARAMEX, where Mr. Faisal Jarmakani, the Country Manager, welcomed Onale and his accompanying team, providing a comprehensive tour of their operational facilities.

During these engagements, Onale underscored his administration's commitment to fostering stronger stakeholder relationships, enhancing revenue collection, and streamlining legitimate trade operations. He expressed satisfaction with the positive reception and the willingness of the stakeholders to cooperate with his leadership, affirming their intent to comply with all pertinent laws and regulations. Furthermore, he acknowledged the ongoing cooperation extended to Customs officers stationed within these facilities.

The familiarisation exercise undertaken by Acting CAC Onale reflects a strategic focus on proactive leadership, cultivating effective stakeholder relations, and improving the operational environment for Customs personnel. These efforts are geared towards boosting revenue generation and ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate trade, all in strict adherence to existing legal frameworks and regulatory guidelines. The emphasis on proactive measures by courier companies is central to addressing Nigeria Customs MMIA courier parcel delays.

Onale also addressed operational challenges raised by courier staff, pledging to resolve concerns within his purview and escalate issues beyond his jurisdiction to the Customs headquarters for appropriate action. He reiterated his appeal for courier company managements to take decisive, proactive steps to mitigate the delays of imported parcels prior to their official assessment by the Nigeria Customs Service parcel assessment teams. This focus on pre-assessment efficiency is crucial for overall Murtala Muhammed Airport Customs compliance.

Additionally, Onale urged certain operators to enhance the working conditions for Customs officers deployed to their sites, specifically requesting that office spaces be made conducive and habitable to facilitate effective service delivery. He stressed that robust compliance is indispensable for expediting processing and achieving seamless trade facilitation, a key objective for courier companies trade facilitation Nigeria.

Representatives from the courier companies conveyed their appreciation for the Acting CAC's visit, affirming their dedication to collaborating closely with the new administration. They also pledged their continued support in adhering to extant laws and regulations, with the shared goals of bolstering revenue generation, improving overall compliance, and fostering legitimate trade. This commitment from industry players is vital for mitigating imported parcel delays Nigeria Customs has identified.

Following the initial stops, the familiarisation tour extended to private hangar operators, including ExecuJet at Legend, Nest Aviation, and Afrijet. These visits provided further opportunities for Jacob Onale Customs courier engagement with stakeholders in the private aviation sector, reinforcing the CAC’s resolve to strengthen collaboration and enhance operational oversight. The primary objective of these visits was to acquire firsthand knowledge of their operations, pinpoint operational challenges, and fortify working relationships with key stakeholders.

During these engagements, the Acting CAC received briefings on the companies’ operational procedures and the specific challenges impacting their activities. The tour subsequently continued to major courier service providers such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and NIPOST, where Onale engaged directly with both courier service staff and the Customs officers stationed at these facilities, further solidifying the collaborative approach to addressing operational efficiencies and compliance.

Lawyers advising courier companies or businesses reliant on imported parcels in Nigeria should note the Nigeria Customs Service's increased emphasis on proactive measures to address pre-assessment delays. This signals a need for clients to review and optimize their operational procedures to ensure compliance and avoid potential regulatory friction or trade disruptions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH