SEREC Urges Nigeria Customs to Rethink License Fee Hike

…Proposes Tiered, Competency-Based Framework for Agents

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

As debates intensify over proposed license fee increments for customs agents, chandlers, and bonded terminal operators, the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has stepped forward with a comprehensive position paper urging the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to adopt a more balanced and inclusive approach to licensing reform.

The position paper dated August 11, 2025 and addressed to the management of the NCS Management with the title “Effectiveness and Efficiency of License Regulations for Customs Agents’, warns against steep fee hikes that could stifle small and medium-sized enterprises and disrupt the already strained port ecosystem.

The paper signed and released by Fwdr Eugene Nweke Rff, Head of Research at SEREC notes:

“Exorbitant increments will only burden the industry further. We advocate for a fair and reasonable fee structure that promotes professionalism without pricing out legitimate operators.”

In its recommendation, SEREC outlined a robust licensing framework designed to enhance compliance, efficiency, and economic competitiveness:

*Tiered Licensing System: Different levels of licenses based on experience, specialization, and service type—ranging from standard to advanced and specialized categories.

*Competency-Based Requirements: Agents must demonstrate proficiency in customs procedures, tariff classification, valuation, and origin determination.

*Ongoing Training: Mandatory professional development to maintain license validity and ensure up-to-date knowledge.

*Balanced Fee Structure: Fees scaled to business size and license category, with lower rates for new entrants and SMEs.

*Stakeholders Engagement: Inclusive consultations with the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), CRFFN, and other industry bodies before implementing reforms.

SEREC also cautioned against recapitalization or forced mergers as a shortcut to reform, citing the complexity and timing such measures would entail. Instead, it recommends streamlined, transparent processes that prioritize efficiency and stakeholder input.

To further encourage compliance, SEREC proposed fair compensation for licensed agents—suggesting a percentage of total duty collected be allocated to agents who uphold regulatory standards.

The group argued that a well-structured licensing framework will promote professionalism and integrity in customs operations, enhance regulatory compliance and reduce delays, and boost Nigeria’s economic competitiveness through efficient trade facilitation.

This is even as Nweke opined that a much more acceptable reform framework would enhance a collaborative future.

“We believe that a collaborative and inclusive approach to licensing reform can benefit all stakeholders”, adding:

“This paper is a modest contribution toward shaping a licensing system that works for everyone—from Customs to agents to the trading public.”

As the NCS weighs its next steps, SEREC’s recommendations offer a roadmap for reform that balances oversight with opportunity—ensuring that the gateway to Nigeria’s economy remains secure, efficient, and fair.