ICYMI: Customs launches initiative to reduce cargo clearance time to 48 hours

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced its one-stop-shop (OSS) initiative, a reform aimed at reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

In a post on X on Sunday, NCS said the initiative was unveiled on September 23, during a meeting between the management of NCS and customs area controllers in Abuja.

According to the service, the meeting, chaired by Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general (CG) of customs, focused on the NCS modernisation agenda and the role of leadership in driving reforms across commands.

Speaking during the launch, Adeniyi described the OSS as a “transformative shift” aligned with global best practices and the federal government’s ease of doing business policy.

He said the reform is designed to sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure predictability in customs procedures.

“The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency, and make our operations more business-friendly,” Adeniyi said.

While acknowledging the role of technology, the CG said physical engagement remains important for effective coordination.

“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence coming together under one roof adds weight and value to our deliberations. Meetings like this strengthen our unity of purpose and ensure we speak with one voice,” he noted.

INITIATIVE TO BE TESTED AT APAPA, ONNE PORTS

Adeniyi said the reform will first be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne ports before being rolled out nationwide.

He added that the initiative is backed by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s trade facilitation agreement (TFA).

“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent, and trader-friendly customs service,” he said.

Following several responses and interventions on the OSS initiative, the customs area controllers pledged their full support, describing it as timely and necessary to reposition the service for efficiency.

They assured the comptroller-general of their readiness to drive the reform at their respective commands and to work in synergy toward achieving the 48-hour clearance target.

NCS said under the OSS framework, all customs units will work jointly on flagged declarations, eliminating multiple checks and reducing delays, adding that consignments cleared under the OSS will not be subject to re-interception, a move aimed at reducing costs and enhancing trade facilitation.