CRFFN is mandated to collect POF and regulate customs licensed agents – Registrar

The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) says it is empowered constitutionally to collect Professional Operating Fees (POF) and regulate all freight forwarding professionals including customs licensed agents.

The CRFFN Registrar/CEO, Igwe Kingsley Onyekachi, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 while reacting to media reports that a Federal High Court judgement had stopped it from collecting POF, particularly from licensed customs agents.

In the statement, the Registrar said “The attention of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has been drawn to recent viral reports on various media platforms regarding a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos on 26th May 2025, which has led to some misconceptions about the Council’s statutory mandate.

“I wish to express deep concern over how it was issued, reportedly without a hearing notice or representation of the defendants named in the suit. The Council views the publication of this judgment as the work of mischief makers to derail the peace, reforms, and progress achieved in the freight forwarding sector in recent times. These achievements have been made possible through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.”

On the mandate of the CRFFN, Igwe has this to say “CRFFN was established by Act No. 16 of 2007 (now part of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) as the legally empowered regulatory authority for freight forwarding practice in Nigeria.

“This mandate unequivocally includes oversight over all freight forwarding service providers, including customs licensed agents when engaged in freight forwarding activities.

“The Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, further reinforces the regulatory role of CRFFN over customs agents who operate within the freight forwarding value chain. Notably: Section 106(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 states: “A customs representative shall be a freight forwarder and shall be subject to the regulations and code of conduct of the freight forwarding profession in Nigeria.”

“This provision legally integrates Customs representatives into the freight forwarding profession, making them subject to the regulatory control and code of conduct established by CRFFN.”

Igwe pointed out that POF is not a tax as being speculated. He said “the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) is not a tax or revenue levy, but a statutory fee created under the powers conferred on CRFFN by its establishing Act: Section 4 (e) of the CRFFN Act 2007 empowers the Council to: “Maintain a register of persons or organizations engaged in freight forwarding and regulate their conduct, including the imposition of fees as may be prescribed.”

The Registrar informed that the CRFFN’s Legal is reviewing the purported judgment. “The Council’s Legal Team is thoroughly reviewing the content, context, and legal implications of the said judgment and reaffirms that, where necessary, the Council will exercise its right of appeal, review, or clarification through competent judicial channels,” he said, pointing out that the Council remains firmly committed to continue to engage  stakeholders.

“Together, we aim to achieve a professional, standardized, and globally competitive logistics and freight forwarding system for Nigeria.

_The Council, therefore, urges all practitioners to remain calm, law-abiding, and in full compliance with the regulations of the profession. Further guidance will be issued as developments unfold,” he submitted.