By Joshua Yousouph
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector are sharply divided over allegations of double handling charges associated with Telex Release and other container-related fees, with freight forwarders accusing shipping companies of duplicating costs, while operators insist the charges are for separate services.
The controversy centres on claims that importers are made to pay for Telex Release at the point of origin—typically between $45 and $50—only to be charged an additional ₦12,500 by the same shipping line upon the cargo’s arrival in Nigeria.
The Telex Release is a shipping instruction issued by a carrier that allows cargo to be released at the destination port without presenting the original Bill of Lading.
Findings by Shipping Position Daily revealed that the exporter is typically expected to pay for the Telex Release since they request it at the port of origin. However, in practice—especially in Nigeria—the importer is often charged an additional fee by the shipping line at the destination before cargo is released. This has led to complaints of double charging, even though shipping companies argue that origin and destination charges cover different administrative processes.
Stakeholders are calling for greater transparency and engagement to clarify the basis for these charges, with many viewing ongoing discussions as an opportunity to improve efficiency in port operations.
Speaking on the issue, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Emmanuel Onyeme, described the practice as exploitative and called for a comprehensive review of shipping companies’ service delivery.
He said importers often pay between $45 and $50 for Telex Release at the country of origin, only to be charged an additional ₦12,500 by the same shipping company upon arrival in Nigeria.
Also weighing in, the Chairman of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Apapa Chapter, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, expressed concern over what he described as the reintroduction of charges through alternative means.
He referenced the Insurance Act, which curtailed the collection of demurrage by shipping lines, alleging that operators have now introduced additional charges that exceed the previously abolished fees.
Reacting to concerns, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Boma Alabi SAN, dismissed claims of double charging, maintaining that the structure of shipping operations sometimes involves different legal entities operating under the same brand name.
She explained that the fees in question are applied by distinct entities, even if they operate under the same brand, and should not be viewed as duplication but as payments for separate services within the shipping framework.
