The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened consultations with industry stakeholders on its planned review of licensing renewal fees for Licensed Customs Agents, in a move aimed at boosting professionalism, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in the freight forwarding sector.
The initiative, which aligned with Sections 103 to 107 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, was unveiled during a high-level engagement held at the NCS Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The meeting was attended by executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), and the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC).
The Service explained that the planned review is intended to reflect current economic realities, including exchange rate fluctuations, address operational demands, and ensure that only agents who meet its compliance, competence, and integrity standards remain in operation.
It further stated that the review is part of broader modernisation reforms to create a transparent, predictable, and efficient licensing regime, scheduled to take effect in January 2026 after the conclusion of consultations.
Licensed Customs Agents who comply with the new structure will enjoy incentives such as faster processing timelines, improved engagement channels with Customs officers, and enhanced integration with the Service’s upgraded digital platforms.
The NCS assured stakeholders of an inclusive process, promised to incorporate feedback from associations, individual operators, and relevant government agencies before final implementation.
