The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed its intention to replace the existing 7 percent Customs collection fee and the 1 percent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) charge with a 4 percent Free On Board (FOB) levy at the ports.
This strategic change aims to accelerate the rollout of a world-class Customs modernization initiative via its newly developed local digital platform, the B’Odogwu Clearance System.
On Monday, at a town hall meeting held in Ikeja, Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, shared this information with stakeholders, including importers, freight forwarders, terminal operators, shipping lines, banks, and other participants within the trade and logistics sector.
He said, “At the heart of our transformation is the B’Odogwu platform. We need sustainable funding to elevate it to global standards. That is why the 4 per cent FOB levy is being introduced — not to burden importers but to enable innovation and efficiency.
“The 4 per cent FOB is not arbitrary. It’s a necessary measure to ensure we can continue building a Customs service that meets international benchmarks and supports Nigeria’s economic growth.
”We have no choice in the payment of the 4 per cent FOB because it is needed by the Customs to fund the huge technology and modernisation programme it has embarked upon.
“The 4 per cent is not a new thing. God bless the soul of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who saw the need for extra funding before the provision was included in the Customs Act of 2023.
“When we introduced this levy some months ago, we were asked to hold on and consult with our stakeholders.
“I am now telling you that we have no choice but to introduce the levy because technology does not come cheap, and in Yoruba parlance ‘the soup that is sweet is as a result of money.
