APFFLON seeks clarification from Customs over increment in licence fees of customs agents

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has called on the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) to make clarification on the increment in license fees and renewal fees of licensed customs agents as announced by the Nigeria Customs Service.

APFFLON noted that information on the increase and verification of offices of customs agents has not been adequately circulated to all recognized associations and licensed operators, thereby creating room for speculation, misinterpretation, and operational uncertainty among stakeholders.

APFFLON National President Otunba Frank Ogunojemite mads the call in a letter signed and addressed to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, ensuring that all recognized associations and legitimate license holders receive official information directly from the Service, in line with your administration’s commitment to inclusiveness and transparency.

The APFFLON letter dated 10/11/25 states thus: With due respect and professional courtesy, the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) wishes to bring to your esteemed attention our concerns regarding recent developments related to the increment of agents’ license, renewal fees, certain administrative decisions affecting licensed customs agents, and the limited dissemination of critical information on the forthcoming inspection exercise reportedly being coordinated by Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) A.B. Shuaibu.

APFFLON and its members commend the ongoing reform efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service under your distinguished leadership, particularly the initiatives aimed at enhancing professionalism, compliance, and transparency within the trade and logistics ecosystem. However, several stakeholders have expressed confusion and anxiety over unclarified directives allegedly issued from ACG A.B. Shuaibu’s office — particularly those concerning license fees, renewal increments and the criteria for the forthcoming inspection of license holders.

We have further observed that information on these matters has not been adequately circulated to all recognized associations and licensed operators, thereby creating room for speculation, misinterpretation, and operational uncertainty among stakeholders.

The association however urged the Customs boss to: Clarify the approved position of the Nigeria Customs Service regarding any increment in license fees, renewal fees, including the effective date and justification for such changes.

Provide transparent communication on the planned inspection exercise for licensed agents — outlining its objectives, procedures, and evaluation standards — to enable adequate preparedness and compliance.

Address the issue of limited communication, ensuring that all recognized associations and legitimate license holders receive official information directly from the Service, in line with your administration’s commitment to inclusiveness and transparency.

Reiterate the uniformity of customs policies to prevent conflicting directives or actions by subordinate officers that may cause confusion within the freight forwarding community.

“APFFLON remains firmly supportive of all Customs reforms aimed at sanitizing the profession and strengthening integrity in trade facilitation. However, we appeal that all such reforms be implemented with fairness, adequate consultation, and transparent communication to avoid misinformation and unnecessary tension among practitioners.

“We trust that your esteemed office will urgently look into these concerns and provide the necessary clarifications to restore confidence and order among licensed agents and stakeholders,” said APFFLON.