IMPORT/EXPORT GUIDELINES

In furtherance of the efforts to enhance the efficiency of the maritime sector and port operations in Nigeria, the Federal Government introduced a port reform package in 1996. In response to this initiative, the management of Nigerian ports Authority took immediate steps to streamline and simplify its operational procedures. Vital NPA operations, including the billing system were computerised; while documentation and delivery processes were unified and streamlined. These have positively changed the procedures for the shipping and clearing of goods. Deliberate policies have also been put in place to create a better operating environment for all customers and port operators.

A shipping company intending to bring cargo into a Nigerian sea port has to clear the ship by obtaining Ship Entry Notice (SEN) two months in advance from the Operations Department of Nigerian Ports Authority. The customer, in the alternative, could obtain clearance through a registered and licensed agent based in Nigeria. This is without prejudice to all other regulations guiding the operations of other relevant government agencies and international laws regulating maritime operations. The procurement of a Ship Entry Notice is a guarantee that a vessel would have berthing facility on arrival in Nigeria. This in essence means that the ship does not come to queue and thus incur demurrage. There are two categories of goods for the purposes of this guideline: (a) Merchandise and Raw Materials (b) Personal Effects it is no longer mandatory that the consignee engages the services of a registered Clearing and Forwarding Agent in respect of merchandise and raw materials. In such cases, the consignee may opt for self clearance as is the

TYPE OF CARGO AND REQUIREMENTS

There are two categories of goods for the purposes of this guideline:

(a) Merchandise and Raw Materials
(b) Personal Effects

it is no longer mandatory that the consignee engages the services of a registered Clearing and Forwarding Agent in respect of merchandise and raw materials. In such cases, the consignee may opt for self clearance as is the case with personal effects, where the owner may clear the cargo when familiar with the clearing procedure.

BILL OF LADING
The consignor/shipper sends the Bill of Lading in advance of the arrival of the ship to the consignee/importer. This document contains the following vital information.

(a) The name of the ship carrying the goods
(b) The description of the goods along with their marks and numbers
(c) The date of departure from port of loading
(d) The weight of cargo
(e) The terms of contract of affreightment

PROCEDURE: IMPORT
The importer/consignee takes the Bill of Lading to the NPA Central Office for Planning and Information of the appropriate port for details about the arrival date of the ship and her allocated berth. This information can also be obtained from the shipping company
The importer or his agent completes the Bill of Entry and registers it with the Nigerian Customs Service.
The consignee or importer proceeds to the shipping company to effect Shipping Company Release of the goods
There, the Bill of Lading is cross-checked and compared with the ship’s manifest. After certifying the correctness of consignee’s documents, a blank form called Delivery Order (D.O.), supplied to the shipping company by the Nigerian Ports Authority, is then issued to the importer.
The consignee or his agent competes the Delivery Order and returns same and the Bill of Lading to the shipping company.
The shipping company then scrutinises the details on the Delivery Order, endorses it and withdraws the original of the Bill of Lading from the consignee or his agent. Thereafter, the lower portion of the Delivery Order is detached and handed back to the importer who holds it as evidence of shipping company release.
The main body of the Delivery Order is sent to the Marketing Department of Nigerian Ports Authority at the specific port.
The Marketing Department then raises all necessary bills through a computerised system, marries the Release Note copy of the Customs Bills of Entry with the shipping company’s Delivery Order, after which bills are authorised.

The bills are then vetted by the Audit Department after which payments are effected at designated bank.

The necessary delivery sets are then produced using information contained in the Delivery Order and subsequently transferred to the transit shed or delivery point.

The consignee or his agent then proceeds to the appropriate transit shed or delivery point to effect delivery. After loading, cargo pass is issued to the consignee or his agent who then proceeds to NPA gate for security checks and final exit.

FACILITIES AND INCENTIVES

The NPA provides various cargo handling equipment for both containers and general cargo. Roro facilities are available at the ports. Free storage period of six days from the last day of a ship’s completion of discharge are allowed for importers to clear their goods.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Ship Manifest is a summary of all Bills of Lading due for discharge at a particular port.
Delivery Order is a printed form supplied by the NPA to shipping companies for purposes of delivery of goods to the rightful owners.

Terminal Delivery Order is a document on the presentation of which a consignee or agent is authorised to take delivery of consignment at an NPA terminal, delivery point or shed.
It must be emphasised that carriage or cargo in excess of declaration on cargo manifest attracts sanction.

For more information on clearing your goods at the Nigerian Ports please contact us on 08037395253 or 08065077654.

Imagine the gamut of "unnecessary steps" in these circuitous process?

With proper technology in place (assuming we have the electricity to drive it), all these "time-wasting" is unwarranted.

No wonder goods disappear, get "eaten" by Wharf Rats and the rest get bought at knock-down prices by the same NPA staff who create all this bottle neck! Just look at the number of people that are involved and the cost of maintaining such labor force?

Imagine if "Asian/Chinese goods delivery process" was like this, would they ever become a trading giant?

NPA and its operators need to take a lesson from "Port Operations" in a place like Shenzhen in China.

Lastpage!

lastpage:

Imagine the gamut of "unnecessary steps" in these circuitous process?

With proper technology in place (assuming we have the electricity to drive it), all these "time-wasting" is unwarranted.

No wonder goods disappear, get "eaten" by Wharf Rats and the rest get bought at knock-down prices by the same NPA staff who create all this bottle neck! Just look at the number of people that are involved and the cost of maintaining such labor force?

Imagine if "Asian/Chinese goods delivery process" was like this, would they ever become a trading giant?

NPA and its operators need to take a lesson from "Port Operations" in a place like Shenzhen in China.

Lastpage!

been to shenzhen oh bros, i fear

Our corrupt tendencies wont let them firm up our processes

the longer the process, the more the kickbacks

lastpage: Imagine the gamut of "unnecessary steps" in these circuitous process?

With proper technology in place (assuming we have the electricity to drive it), all these "time-wasting" is unwarranted.

No wonder goods disappear, get "eaten" by Wharf Rats and the rest get bought at knock-down prices by the same NPA staff who create all this bottle neck! Just look at the number of people that are involved and the cost of maintaining such labor force?

Imagine if "Asian/Chinese goods delivery process" was like this, would they ever become a trading giant?

NPA and its operators need to take a lesson from "Port Operations" in a place like Shenzhen in China.

Lastpage!

Well, any how the matter is, as long as you wish to have a clearing agent, you can mail me or give me a call. my email is augustineosagie@gmail.com

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