Customs rewards compliant stakeholders
By Steve Agbota
In a significant stride towards enhancing the ease of doing business for compliant stakeholders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun rolling out benefits under the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme for its inaugural group of approved importers, exporters, SMEs, Customs Licensed brokers, and logistics operators, effective from September 2, 2024.
In a statement released by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, it was revealed that this initiative is set to establish new benchmarks aligned with global best practices. The goal is to enhance trade facilitation, alleviate existing challenges within the supply chain, and bolster Nigeria’s standing in the global trading community.
The statement emphasized that the benefits under this programme will be administered on an ongoing basis, contingent on the continued compliance of all selected participants with the programme’s stringent provisions.
“The inaugural participants were meticulously selected based on their exemplary compliance within the supply chain, following an exhaustive three-month AEO validation process designed to uphold the highest standards,” the statement noted.
The AEO programme is being implemented under the auspices of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which has been instrumental in providing experts for capacity development, training, and essential materials. Additionally, key partners such as the World Bank’s Accelerating Revenue Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) initiative, along with various international Customs administrations—including His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)—have played pivotal roles in benchmarking exercises that have significantly contributed to the success of this initiative.
As part of the programme, consignments belonging to the selected Authorized Economic Operators will enjoy a range of preferential treatments, including Automatic PAAR Registration, Direct Green Lane Routing, Dedicated Relationship Managers, and AEO Branding.
Upon the successful completion of the pilot phase and verification of ongoing compliance with all established provisions, participants will be awarded certificates formally recognizing their status as Authorized Economic Operators. This pilot phase will be implemented across all ports, gathering valuable insights to refine and enhance service delivery.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi underscored the importance of robust support from all stakeholders, including other government agencies and development partners, to ensure the success of this pilot phase.
“Collaboration is not just vital; it is essential for unlocking the full potential of the AEO programme, which promises to significantly streamline trade processes and elevate Nigeria’s standing in the global trade arena,” Adeniyi stated.
The NCS reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business, expressing readiness for the full-scale implementation of the AEO programme. This move further solidifies the Service’s dedication to fostering a seamless and secure trading environment for all Nigerians.
“The successful implementation of this pilot phase marks a key milestone in the Service’s ongoing pursuit of aligning with best practices to achieve efficient service delivery,” the statement concluded.
