By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Grimaldi Agency Nigeria has clarified its position regarding the sale of empty shipping containers by its principal, Grimaldi Deep Sea S.p.A., insisting that responsibility for any customs duties arising from the domestication of the containers rests solely with the purchasers and not the seller.
The clarification follows reports suggesting that the shipping company was liable for customs duties after disposing of a number of empty containers. The company also dismissed claims that it sold as many as 2,500 containers, describing such reports as inaccurate and lacking factual basis.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Grimaldi Agency Nigeria explained that the containers in question were sold strictly under their international customs classification, commonly referred to as a “foreign customs position,” and were never transferred as domesticated assets intended for local use within Nigeria.
According to the company, all terms governing the transaction were clearly stated in the sales documentation provided to buyers.
The agency noted that invoices accompanying the sale expressly indicated that the containers were being transferred in foreign customs status and were intended to be used exclusively for international cargo transportation without any alteration to their original customs classification.
Grimaldi further stated that the sales agreement clearly outlined that any requirement to regularise or domesticate the containers under Nigerian customs regulations would be the sole responsibility of the buyer, including any associated costs.
The company explained that the arrangement is in line with established international shipping practices, where containers sold under foreign customs status are often acquired by exporters, traders and logistics operators for use as Shipper Owned Containers (SOC) in international trade.
Under such arrangements, the containers continue to operate within global shipping networks without any change to their customs designation, the company said.
It stressed that customs liabilities generally arise only when a purchaser decides to convert the containers for domestic purposes such as storage, construction projects or other local applications that require formal domestication under applicable customs laws.
“In such circumstances, responsibility rests with the party changing the status and use of the equipment, namely the purchaser,” the statement noted.
Grimaldi Agency Nigeria maintained that any customs duties, taxes, levies or other charges that may arise from a buyer’s decision to domesticate the containers cannot be transferred to the seller, as such obligations result from actions taken after ownership has changed hands.
The company also rejected reports claiming that it sold 2,500 empty containers, insisting that the figure being circulated does not reflect the actual transaction and is unsupported by available records.
Reaffirming its commitment to compliance and transparency, Grimaldi stated that Grimaldi Deep Sea S.p.A. has consistently conducted its business in accordance with international shipping standards, industry best practices and the contractual obligations agreed with its customers.
The agency added that all rights, responsibilities and obligations associated with the sale were clearly defined from the outset and remain fully consistent with globally accepted principles governing the sale and operation of shipping containers in international trade.
