The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has said that any attempt by importers or freight agents to evade duty or importation of banned, restricted and fake goods
into Nigeria is regarded as smuggling even as it urged operators to desist from false or under declaration of goods.
The association made the assertion in letter sent to Shipping Position Daily over the weekend even as it stated that such actions could imprisonment.
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has said that any attempt by importers or freight agents to evade duty or importation of banned, restricted and fake goods
into Nigeria is regarded as smuggling even as it urged operators to desist from false or under declaration of goods.
The association made the assertion in letter sent to Shipping Position Daily over the weekend even as it stated that such actions could imprisonment.
The statement from the association ,was against the backdrop of the incessant impounding of consignment by the Customs Federal Operations unit in the South West and South East regions of the country.
According to a letter sent by National Chairman Customs Agent Relations Officer Mr. Ifeanyi Ekemezie, NAGAFF stated that the association decided to inform, educate and enlighten its members in particular who have equally brought complaints to the association with regard to the
activities of Federal Operations Units along the city high ways of the country.
"For the avoidance of doubt, many stakeholders do not know that their
actions against Customs laws are regarded as smuggling effects.
"Any attempt to evade duty or importation of banned, restricted and fake goods into Nigeria is regarded as smuggling."
"In other words, in the eye of Customs and the law, those involved in matters of concealment, false declaration, under valuation, wrong description of import, over invoicing, under invoicing and under
declaration are regarded as smugglers."
"It is most regrettable to note that those who are in the habit of the above offences do not know that these actions or inaction could lead them
to the prison."
" All these offences come under untrue declaration for Customs purposes which attract five years imprisonment on prosecution if found guilty. Please see Section 46 and 47 of CEMA."
The association reiterated that the Nigeria Customs Service has the powers to detain suspected fake drugs and substandard goods, with a view to handing them over to the appropriate authority.
On the activities of the two FOUs, NAGAFF said: "And for emphasis, it is very necessary that we educate NAGAFF members as to the traditional role of the Federal Operations Units."
" In the management and administration of Customs law; the Federal operations unit as may have been approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service is the striking force of the Service. "
" Their role as an enforcement unit is the backup force of the regular enforcement unit officers at the ports and border stations."
"It is the opinion of NAGAFF that other than protesting through falsehood and blackmailing of the duty officers, the concerned stakeholders should visit the National Assembly and seek for a review of the law enabling the actions of the Customs and the powers of the Board to make regulations.
Please see Sections 4, 5 and 6 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA)."
“While we share in the opinion and worries of the concerned with regard to
the subject matter, let it be on record that the issue really is not the actions and activities of the Federal Operations Unit, but the law establishing its operations and existence.
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