Maritime stakeholders have expressed concerns over a possible hike in the licensing renewal fee for customs agents, citing fears that it may fuel inflation.
According to a report, the Nigeria Customs Service has announced plans to review the licensing renewal fees for licensed customs agents, with a new structure set to take effect from January 2026.
A document sighted by our correspondent suggests that licensed agents may have to pay up to N10m to get a new licence, with renewal fees increasing from N215,000 to N4m. Bonded terminals may also see a significant increase, with renewal fees rising from N60,000 to N10m and new licenses from N60,000 to N20m.
The National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, Frank Ogunojemite, expressed concerns that the increase will fuel inflation, as additional costs will be passed on to end-users. “The increase will fuel inflation, as the additional costs incurred during both import and export processes will inevitably be passed on to end users,” Ogunojemite said.
He also warned that the elevated licensing costs could be unsustainable for smaller operators, potentially pushing them out of the market and leading to market dominance by a few large players.
“For many struggling freight forwarders and clearing firms, the elevated licensing costs could be unsustainable, potentially pushing smaller operators out of the market. The industry may become dominated by a few large players, stifling competition,” Ogunojemite added.
The stakeholders’ concerns come as the Nigeria Customs Service commences consultations with stakeholders on the planned review of licensing renewal fees. The service had announced that the decision was taken during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement with executives of various associations, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders.
The possible hike in licensing fees has sparked concerns among maritime stakeholders, who fear that it may have far-reaching implications for the industry. As the Nigeria Customs Service continues to engage with stakeholders, the concerns raised by Ogunojemite and other stakeholders highlight the need for careful consideration of the potential impact of any fee increase on the industry and the economy as a whole.
But the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, debunked the figures contained in the document, stressing that there was nothing of such by the service.
