The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced imposition of a daily rental charge for storage space on overtime containers transferred to the government warehouse at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, Lagos State. The NCS confirmed that the daily charge for overtime 40ft containers would be N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira), while a N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) daily charge will be payable on overtime 20ft containers. The NCS began collection of the daily rent in December 2020, even though stakeholders have not been formally informed of the new practice by official circular or policy document. This development was confirmed by the Deputy Comptroller Kidda (Head of NCS unit Ikorodu Terminal), who confirmed the rental charges and stated that the collection of rents on overtime cargoes is a government policy adding that the decision by the Service to commence implementation at the Ikorodu Terminal is to discourage importers and agents from abandoning their containers at the warehouse. According to the Deputy Comptroller, the policy is in line with the Customs and Excise Management Act of 1959. It was simply not implemented by the NCS until now because cargo only recently started coming into the Ikorodu terminal.¹

Overtime cargoes are imports that are not cleared from the seaports after 45 days of arrival. Such cargoes are usually moved from the main seaport terminals to the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal (ILT), in the outskirts of Lagos State.

The Deputy Comptroller Kidda however clarified that the rent is charged after the first two weeks of the container’s arrive at the Ikorodu terminal.

1. https://shipsandports.com.ng/customs-imposes-n10000-per-day-rent-on-overtime-cargoes/ accessed 29.01.2021