Customs Issues 14-Day Deadline for Seizure of 905 Overtime Cargoes

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a 14-day deadline for the owners of 905 overtime cargoes currently abandoned at various seaports across the country to clear their consignments or risk outright seizure. The directive, which comes amid concerns over congestion at ports and loss of potential government revenue, is aimed at decongesting terminals and improving efficiency in cargo clearance.

The Service, in a notice signed by Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, explained that the affected containers and cargoes have overstayed the statutory period allowed for clearance and therefore qualify as overtime cargo under extant laws. He stressed that the agency has provided ample opportunity for owners and importers to regularize their documents but that many have failed to comply.

According to the Customs boss, “The Nigeria Customs Service hereby notifies importers, clearing agents, and other stakeholders that a total of 905 overtime cargoes are presently lying unclaimed at designated port terminals. In line with the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), owners have 14 days from the date of this notice to clear their goods. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture to the Federal Government.”

The development comes against the backdrop of repeated calls from stakeholders for the clearance of overtime cargoes that have clogged terminals, making it difficult for shipping companies and operators to function effectively. Many of the cargoes, according to port officials, have been left unattended for years due to importers’ inability to settle duty obligations, issues with documentation, or litigation challenges.

Customs noted that port efficiency is directly affected by abandoned consignments, which occupy valuable space that could be used for fresh imports. The congestion not only increases operational costs for terminal operators but also causes delays in cargo evacuation, ultimately affecting the ease of doing business.

Stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), have long urged Customs to intensify measures to address the menace of overtime cargoes. Analysts say that seaports are critical to Nigeria’s economic competitiveness, and prolonged cargo dwell time undermines trade facilitation efforts and drives up the cost of doing business.

Customs clarified that the public notice and 14-day ultimatum is part of its implementation of the overtime cargo disposal policy, which will pave the way for public auctioning of forfeited items. The Service added that all processes will be transparent, with details of forfeited consignments published for public knowledge before auction.

Maritime industry players have reacted positively to the announcement, noting that clearing out abandoned containers will free up significant space at terminals and reduce congestion. However, some importers and freight forwarders argue that Customs should also consider extending deadlines or creating a flexible framework for genuine cases where delays in cargo clearance were due to challenges beyond the importers’ control, such as banking delays or sudden policy changes.

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), while welcoming the development, urged the Service to ensure that the process of identifying and auctioning overtime cargoes is free from favoritism. The group advised Customs to create an online portal where the list of forfeited goods and auction procedures can be monitored by the public to enhance transparency and accountability.

Customs, on its part, assured that the exercise will follow due process. Adeniyi reiterated that the Service remains committed to balancing revenue generation with trade facilitation. “We understand that some genuine importers face difficulties, but the law is clear. Cargoes that overstay statutory clearance timelines become government property. This exercise will be carried out in line with established guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency,” he said.

The Service further encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of digital platforms that have been introduced to ease cargo clearance, stressing that importers must be proactive in processing documentation and settling duties to avoid forfeiture.

Economists believe that the disposal of overtime cargoes could generate additional revenue for the government, especially at a time when the country is seeking to boost non-oil income sources. It could also help deter importers from abandoning goods in the future, as the clear consequence of forfeiture would reinforce compliance.

Beyond the immediate deadline, maritime analysts argue that Customs must implement long-term strategies to prevent the recurrence of abandoned cargoes. They suggest stricter enforcement of timelines, better coordination with shipping companies, and improved awareness campaigns for importers. They also stress the need for Nigeria to strengthen its trade policies to minimize uncertainty that often leads to cargo abandonment.

The next two weeks will be crucial for importers with consignments on the list, as compliance with the directive will determine whether they retain ownership or lose their goods to government auction. As the clock ticks, Customs has advised all stakeholders to take the deadline seriously, warning that no extensions will be granted beyond the stipulated timeframe.

Ultimately, the move signals the Service’s renewed commitment to clearing the nation’s seaports of longstanding inefficiencies while reinforcing Nigeria’s trade facilitation agenda. If successfully implemented, the clearance of 905 overtime cargoes could mark a significant step in boosting port efficiency, enhancing revenue, and strengthening Nigeria’s global trade reputation.