Licensed customs brokers have referred to as on the federal government to streamline the nation’s port system to sort out the problem of a number of taxation, particularly relating to fee for the digital call-up system.
The Nationwide President of the Nationwide Council of Managing Administrators of Licensed Customs Brokers, Mr Fortunate Amiwero, disclosed this not too long ago in a letter to President Bola Tinubu, titled ‘Re: imposition of the fee of Eto-call up system on licensed customs brokers/importers, which has already been paid for as automobile entry allow and tenure entry allow underneath most tariff for cargo due’, obtained by The PUNCH.
In keeping with the brokers, the Nigerian port system is predicted to serve the economic system by establishing an acceptable operational course of, efficient port process and efficient legislative framework.
“The fee of car entry allow and holding bay charges have already been included and paid by the licensed customs brokers/importers to terminal operators,” he mentioned.
Amiwero blamed unavailability of holding bays by some terminal operators as a part of the issues fuelling the usage of Eto.
“The holding bay for vans that existed earlier than 2005, inside and across the ports, was ceded out to terminal operators in addition to land area, with out offering an alternate. All such areas had been ceded to terminal operators, forcing the homeowners of the truck to make use of the obtainable port entry roads to carry empty containers and wait as holding bay, awaiting entry to the port to load consumer consignment,” Amiwero said.
He mentioned that the implementation of the digital call-up system was double taxation to brokers/importers after the fee of car entry allow and tenure packing charges to the terminal operators, “which legally authorised automobiles to enter the port and cargo their consignment with none fee”.
In keeping with Amiwero, it’s unlawful to double cost on the identical service automobile entry into the port, which has been paid for by brokers to terminal operators.
The NCMDLCA boss added that the charges paid for the call-up system had been unlawful because it had no direct bearing to cargo.
“It’s unlawful and double cost to the importer/licensed customs brokers, which isn’t a part of the service rendered on cargo. A replica of the lease settlement that accommodates most tariff cargo dues. Nigerian Port Authority/terminal operators are to be answerable for the fee of the call-up system consistent with the settlement.
For Amiwero, the Eto is a part of the event of the port, which is underneath the purview of NPA and is a part of infrastructure improvement for the motion of automobiles into the port.
“Seven per cent surcharge is paid by Nigerian importers by means of the licensed customs brokers on each import collected since 1978 until date. The NPA ought to utilise a part of its seven per cent to offer for truck entry to the port, which is roofed statutorily underneath part 32-(a). It’s the duty of NPA to manage site visitors and supply free entry to the port and never the duty of brokers,” he argued.
Additionally, the Nationwide Deputy President of the Nationwide Affiliation of Authorities Accredited Freight Forwarders, Nnadi Ugochukwu, maintained that terminal operators ought to bear the price of the call-up system.
“Terminal operators needs to be those bearing the fee of that call-up system. As a result of when an agent finishes clearing his consignment, it’s the obligation of the terminal operators to let you know when to return and choose up your consignments.
“The ports have been given concessionaires (the terminal operators), so they need to make provision for the time by which the consignee can come and choose up his consignments. Is the costs they pay for Eto commemorate with the providers they render,” Nnadi mentioned.
