The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is reportedly pushing a sweeping set of licensing fee increases that would dramatically raise the cost of doing business for clearing agents, bonded terminals, and ship chandlers. According to a leaked copy of the proposed rates obtained by a Majan journalist, the new structure would raise:

• Clearing agents license: from about N515,000 to N10 million
• Bonded terminals license: from around N60,000 to N20 million
• Ship chandlers license: from roughly N515 to N2 million

Renewal fees would also rise substantially:

• Clearing license renewal: N4 million
• Bonded terminals renewal: N10 million
• Ship chandlers renewal: N1 million

Bank bonds for these categories would jump even more:

• Clearing agents bank bond: N315,000 to N20 million
• Bonded terminals bank bond: N50,000 to N500 million
• Ship chandlers bank bond: N350,000 to N2 million

The purported changes were unveiled at a meeting of stakeholders at the Customs headquarters in Abuja, led by the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. After a presentation by the Deputy Comptroller General (Tariffs and Trade), DCG Caroline Niagwan, representatives from various associations were asked to take the matter back to their groups for deliberation. Sources indicated that the proposal was initially rejected at the meeting, with plans to reconvene in two weeks to continue the discussion.

Industry reactions were cautious. The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics (APFFLON) senior leadership expressed reservations, noting a lack of unity among freight-forwarding associations. APFFLON President warned that without a unified voice, negotiations could tilt in favour of the government’s fiscal needs. He urged the President of ANLCA (Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents), Emenike Nwokeoji, to convene a joint meeting of all associations to craft a united position. As of the report, not all associations had aligned, potentially weakening any collective bargaining position.

In its official statement, the NCS framed the proposed revisions as necessary to reflect current economic realities, exchange-rate movements, and operational needs. The service emphasised that the goal is to ensure that only agents who meet stringent compliance, competence, and integrity standards continue operating in the sector. The reform package, the NCS said, would promote accountability, streamline processes, and improve service delivery.

The agency also highlighted intended benefits for compliant agents, including:

• Access to premium facilitation measures
• Faster processing timelines
• Better engagement channels with Customs officers
• Enhanced integration with upgraded digital platforms

Crucially, the NCS framed the changes as part of a broader modernisation effort to position Nigeria’s border management and international trade regime for future needs. The new licensing scheme is slated to take effect in January 2026, after thorough stakeholder consultations and finalisation.

Stakeholders were reassured that feedback from industry associations, individual operators, and relevant government agencies would be carefully considered before implementation. The NCS underscored its commitment to fairness, transparency, and maintaining a secure, competitive trading environment in Nigeria.

What this could mean for the sector

• If implemented, the fee increases would dramatically raise the upfront and renewal costs for license holders, with ripple effects on operating costs, freight forwarders’ pricing, and potentially the price of goods for end consumers.
• The proposed changes could incentivise faster compliance and digital integration, while also raising barriers to entry for smaller operators if the costs are not offset by tangible improvements in efficiency.
• The roadmap emphasises a more transparent and predictable licensing regime, but success will depend on effective stakeholder engagement, clear timelines, and observable improvements in processing times and service quality.

Next steps for readers and practitioners

• Monitor official NCS communications for the final licensing structure, dates, and implementation plan.
• Engage with your industry association to participate in the final consultations and present a unified position.
• Prepare for potential changes in budgeting and licensing workflows if the proposals advance to adoption.

If you want, I can tailor this further:

• Adjust the tone (e.g., more neutral or more opinionated)
• Target a specific audience (industry professionals, policymakers, or general readers)
• Produce a shorter summary or a longer, in-depth article with added quotes and context from related sources