Freight forwarders and licensed customs agents have advised shippers, mostly first timers to import their vehicles through Roll on Roll off (RORO) system, saying that containerised importation takes a longer process when compared.
Our correspondent who sampled the opinion of operators last week confirmed that it is easier to clear imported vehicles from Nigerian ports if they are on RoRo.
Apart from freight cost, extra charges are incurred on containerised vehicles imported through Europe, Asia and America.
Chairman, PTML Chapter of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief George Okafor last week at the terminal in Lagos, said that packaged imported vehicles; just like the containerised ones are always expensive when compared to non-packaged imported used and new vehicles.
“Cars on RoRo are not packaged because they are not containerised ”
“When a car is being containerised, it ensures security and protection of such cars and it must be a little bit experience because payment of container charges will be involved; and apart from payment for freight, you are going to pay the shipping companies charges, in addition”
Explaining the difference further, Okafor said ” but if the vehicle is coming on RoRo , the shipping company will not collect additional charges for the vehicles which will make the clearance process cheaper’’.
According to him, the model of such vehicle attracts same duty rate to be collected by the customs, but added that container deposits and handling charges will make the difference.
He added that freight costs and processing charges on containerised cars will be higher against RoRo.
He also added that handling charges for containerised vehicles are higher when compared with RoRo, stressing that the major advantage of containerised imported vehicle are the personal effect that might be added aside the vehicle.
However, Okafor noted that both RoRo and containerised mode of importation of used or new vehicles are legitimate, depending on the importers choice
Also, secretary, PTML Chapter, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders in Nigeria ( AREFFN) Elder Festus Aigiomawu shared similar view as his counterpart from NAGAFF, but added that both methods are fair enough for importers.
He said the era of vandalism on vehicles in Nigerian ports has passed, noting that RoRo or containerised shipment of vehicles into Nigerian ports is safer than before.
He said many Nigerian importers prefer RoRo operation, because payment to shipping companies differs and containerised cars attract more charges.
He added that most of the importers prefer RoRo operations even as he sighted instance of the faster clearance of vehicles in Grimaldi terminal.
According to him, RoRo operations at the terminal takes just two days for vehicles to exit the facilities, but maintained that it is impossible for containerised cars to leave the port under three days.
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