The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to ensure that any planned adjustments to licence renewal fees for customs agents remain fair, reasonable, and sensitive to current economic realities.
The appeal, contained in SEREC’s August bulletin signed by head of research Eugene Nweke and made available in Abuja, comes amid ongoing consultations between the NCS and industry stakeholders on a proposed review of renewal fees for Licensed Customs Agents, expected to take effect in January 2026.
SEREC warned that steep increases could worsen existing port challenges and place additional strain on small and medium-sized enterprises. “We advise against steep fee increments in the current port environment, given the already challenging operating conditions,” the bulletin stated.
The centre recommended introducing a structured, tiered licensing framework to promote professionalism and efficiency, with categories reflecting the complexity of services offered. It stressed that licences should be tied to proven competence in customs procedures, tariff classification, valuation, and origin determination, alongside mandatory training and continuous professional development.
SEREC also cautioned against reforms hinging on recapitalisation, consolidation, or mergers, warning they could delay implementation. Instead, it called for a streamlined, consultative process involving the NCS, the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
Additionally, the group proposed that customs agents and brokers receive a share of total duties collected as fair compensation, saying such incentives could boost compliance and reduce collusion with traders seeking to evade duties.
While noting that stakeholder consultations began on August 7, SEREC urged broader engagement before any fee adjustments are finalised. “A collaborative and inclusive approach to licensing reform will benefit all stakeholders, including the NCS, customs agents, and the trading public,” it stated, reaffirming readiness to work with the NCS on a framework balancing regulation with industry realities.
