Nigeria Customs Extends Overtime Cargo Clearance to 120 Days, Automates Process

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has extended the clearance window for overtime cargoes to 120 days and launched a fully automated system to manage the process. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced the reform on Monday during a sensitisation programme in Lagos, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Adeniyi explained that the new system will ease trade, reduce delays caused by abandoned consignments, and cut down the high number of extension requests, which currently account for nearly half of daily correspondence to his office. He added that less than one percent of cargoes arriving at Nigerian ports in 2024 were classified as overtime and expressed optimism that automation would eliminate such cases.

The NCS chief further revealed that a help desk has been created at headquarters to prioritise clearance of project cargoes belonging to government agencies. He stressed that the reforms aim not only at revenue generation but also at ensuring efficient cargo delivery.

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Isah Umar, said the e-clearance platform will enhance transparency, reduce human interference, and improve data integrity. Chief Superintendent of Customs, Aliyu Abdulkadir, noted that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, cargoes left unclaimed after 120 days will be disposed of, while perishable or inflammable items may be auctioned immediately.

Stakeholders — including shipping companies, terminal operators, clearing agents, importers, and exporters — were briefed on the ICT framework of the new system and assured of continuous engagement for smooth adoption.

Background
Previously, overtime cargoes were cleared within 30 days at airports and 90 days at seaports. They often caused congestion, increased storage costs, and delayed cargo handling. The NCS has also faced criticism in the past over transparency in disposing of such goods, prompting the launch of an upgraded e-auction portal in January 2024.

By combining automation with the new 120-day clearance period, the NCS aims to reduce abandoned consignments, boost transparency, and improve efficiency across Nigeria’s ports and border commands.