By Sandra Chukwunyere
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has demanded the immediate suspension of what it described as illegal charges allegedly being collected from freight forwarders at some bonded terminals in Lagos, while seeking the refund of over ₦178 million reportedly paid by its members.
The demand was conveyed through the association’s 100 Percent Compliance Team in a notice signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, and addressed to managers of bonded terminals operating under the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone A.
According to NAGAFF, several complaints have been received from freight forwarders over the imposition of additional charges outside officially approved statutory fees payable to relevant government agencies during cargo clearance.
The association alleged that some bonded terminal operators, in collaboration with individuals purportedly acting on behalf of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), have been collecting extra charges on imported containers and cargo handling services without any known legal or regulatory backing.
NAGAFF claimed that some freight forwarders were made to pay as much as $3,000 for the release of a 20-foot container and $6,000 for a 40-foot container, apart from approved port charges. The association estimated that more than ₦178 million has been collected from its members through the disputed charges.
It stated that repeated requests for evidence authorising the collections, including approved tariffs, gazettes, regulatory directives and other legal instruments, have not yielded satisfactory responses from those involved.
The association further questioned the transparency of the collections, noting the absence of officially published tariffs, recognised receipts from relevant regulatory authorities and public notices establishing the charges.
Describing the development as a threat to trade facilitation and ease of doing business at Nigerian ports, NAGAFF argued that the continued collection of the disputed fees has increased the cost of cargo clearance and imposed avoidable financial burdens on freight forwarders, importers and cargo owners.
Consequently, the association demanded the immediate suspension of the charges and the refund of all monies allegedly collected from its members. It added that where immediate reimbursement is not possible, affected terminal operators should submit a written proposal for reconciliation and refund within seven days.
NAGAFF warned that failure to comply with its demands could trigger further regulatory and legal actions, including petitions to relevant government agencies, legal proceedings and moves to protect the interests of freight forwarders operating within the port system.
Copies of the notice were forwarded to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force, port managers, as well as the founder and national leadership of NAGAFF.
The association also called on the Managing Director of the NPA to make available relevant directives and legal instruments relating to the collection of association dues within ports and terminal facilities. Specifically, it requested access to any existing port orders or court rulings that could clarify the legality of such collections.
NAGAFF maintained that all charges imposed on freight forwarders and cargo owners within the port and terminal environment must be supported by clear legal and regulatory provisions. It stressed that transparency, accountability and strict adherence to approved tariffs are essential for promoting efficient trade facilitation and improving the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
