Customs Lockdown Apapa Port Non-compliant Imports

BY FUNMI ALUKO

In line with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) zero tolerance for violation of border security, the Apapa Area Command Friday announced the arrest and seizure of 7x 40footer containers laden with both non-trade goods and unapproved imports.

Speaking on the sustained crackdown, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu Ph.D  said in a release made available to our reporter that seizures resulted from the commitment of its eagle-eyed officers and men, even as he put the Duty Paid Value of the impounded goods  at N292.244 million.

The released signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, CSC Abubakar Usman, quoted the CAC as saying that seizures which were made on July 18th, 2024 comprise of 2x40ft containers laden with 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete, 2x40ft containers of 4,129 packages of frozen hen, 1x40ft container of 368 jumbo bales of used second-hand clothing and 1x40ft container laden with expired pharmaceutical products.

The CAC disclosed that whereas the imported items were in violation of the customs extant rules, he stated  further that the seizures were made vide  intelligence reports and diligent enforcement by  ensuring that none of the listed items exited the command without undergoing proper examination.

Olomu explained that as a new work culture, the command is poised at constantly raising the bar in its anti-smuggling duty, trade facilitation and revenue generation; while also staying the power for consistently identifying wrong documentations associated with false declaration, concealment, under declaration and undervaluation.

The statement reads: “As part of the Comptroller General of Customs policy thrust of zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted seven (7) containers that fall short of the import prohibition guidelines from entering the country.

“On Thursday, 18 July 2024, the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying twelve thousand (12,000) pieces of cutlass and machete; 2x40ft carrying four thousand, one hundred and twenty-nine (4,129) packages of frozen hen; 1x40ft container carrying three hundred and sixty-eight (368) jumbo bales of used second hand clothing; and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical. The duty paid value (DPV) of these seized items stood at two hundred and ninety-two million, two hundred and forty-four thousand,eight hundred and fifty-seven naira (292,244,857.00).

“It is pertinent to note that this type of importation is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violate section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

The Customs Area Controller, BO Olomu, stated that the seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement in ensuring that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination.

The Apapa customs helmsman declared that under his watch, the command will continue to enforce the operational requirements for sister regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC in the case of food and drugs, together with the strict implementation of the End-User-Certificate rules for controlled imports that  requires such from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The command’s helmsman reiterated the earlier warning issued by the CGC on the smuggling of prohibited items and restated that the Apapa command will keep ensuring only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance will be allowed to go through the port either as import or export cargoes.

While appreciating the existing collaboration and cordial relationship with government sister agencies, he said that the seized items will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and regulatory action.