Nigerian importers to begin clearing goods from Cotonou ports – Acting GC

Story from Haruna YUSUF, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service and its counterparts in Benin Republic have joined forces to enhance customs practices, strengthen collaboration, remove barriers, and promote legitimate trade between the two countries.

This new alliance aims to improve customs administration, trade facilitation, and regional cooperation. It also permits Nigerian importers who wish to use Cotonou Ports in Benin Republic for their goods legally.

READ ALSO: Nigeria customs partners with Benin Republic for efficient cross-border trade

This decision to establish a clearing point for goods bound for Nigeria was a key outcome of the two-day working visit by Mr. Alain Kinkati, the Director General of Customs Service of Benin Republic.

The details were shared in a communique issued to the press in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Acting GC emphasized that, under this arrangement, Nigeria-bound goods would undergo assessment, and the appropriate duties would be paid in the originating country, with these duties credited to the Nigerian government through the Nigerian Customs Service.

He hailed this framework as a significant step in sub-regional integration and trade facilitation, achieved through cooperation with their counterparts in neighboring Benin Republic.

Furthermore, he noted that they had substantially reduced trade barriers along key corridors by significantly reducing the number of checkpoints.

Collaborating with the police authorities, they are committed to further reducing these checkpoints to a minimum.

The Acting Customs boss also disclosed that they are in the final stages of aligning their Information Technology (IT) system with that of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to combat vehicle smuggling into the country.

Additionally, he mentioned that his administration is working on harmonizing the list of prohibited items with Benin Republic to enhance the security functions of the organization, as detailed in the communique.

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