Freight forwarders and license customs agents have commended terminal operators for the easy clearance of imported fairly used and new vehicles from the nation’s seaports.
The operators revealed that in less than three days, imported vehicles now exit the Roll on Roll off (RORO) ports when compared to what obtained in previous years.
Freight forwarders and license customs agents have commended terminal operators for the easy clearance of imported fairly used and new vehicles from the nation’s seaports.
The operators revealed that in less than three days, imported vehicles now exit the Roll on Roll off (RORO) ports when compared to what obtained in previous years.
A cross section of freight forwarders and licensed customs agents told Auto Port Weekly last week in Lagos that vehicle clearance at the nation's port has improved tremendously, even as they appealed to the Nigeria Customs Service to make trade facilitation its watchword.
Speaking on the recent development, a clearing agent; Mr. Adetunji Kunle confirmed that vehicles no longer experience delays at the port, adding that this is an achievement on the part of the terminal operators.
Adetunji pointed out that there is need for Customs to improve in the area of vehicles clearance from the seaports, because of the documentation processes that surrounding the procedures.
According to him, between 2012 and 2014, clearing of vehicles takes longer days at the RORO terminals and the clearing process then were cumbersome in nature.
"But today it is easier to clear vehicles from the terminal compared to two years ago"
"The process has become easier for us, because in time past it wasn't really easy for us to move vehicles out of the port so easy”, he stated.
The agent further explained that customs need to improve in the area of valuation in vehicle clearance procedures, and that it is possible for importers to take delivery of their import under two days.
Adetunji added that, "if the Customs can improve in the valuation, I believe we can clear cars from the port under two days, because the terminal operators have no problem during clearing as far as charges for shipping companies and terminal operators are being paid.
On his part, another stakeholder; Sheriff Akintayo urged the terminal operators in Nigeria to further improve their service on imported vehicles, noting however that there has been improvement in vehicle clearance from the terminal.
Akintayo frowned at what he called Customs slow pace in the process of clearing vehicles from the terminals, saying that clearing of imported used vehicles can take less hours.
He lauded terminal operators for the improvement in service delivery mostly in the area of vehicle clearance.
However, Patrick Okafor who operates from Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) disclosed further that while it takes three days to clear imported vehicles from RORO terminals, containerised vehicles spend more days at the terminal.
He urged shippers to embark RORO mode of vehicle importation, rather than containerised.
Okafor said containerised vehicle clearance spent more days than RORO operation, saying that Customs formalities are responsible for the delay.
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