... Urges Nigeria Customs Service to Rethink Strategy
Harboursandport.com: Isheri, Ogun State — August 22, 2025: The Sea Empowerment and Research Center, SEREC has voiced strong opposition to the Nigeria Customs Service’s, NCS proposed 2000 per cent increase in Customs agents’ licensing fees, warning that the move could cripple small businesses and disrupt trade facilitation across the country.
The statement, signed by Eugene Nweke, outlines SEREC’s position and offers a comprehensive alternative framework aimed at balancing regulatory oversight with economic sustainability.
“We strongly believe that such an astronomical increase would be detrimental to the customs brokerage industry and the economy as a whole,” the release stated.
SEREC is advocating for a tiered and competency-based licensing system that reflects the complexity of services provided by customs agents. The center recommends ongoing professional development and a fee structure that considers the financial realities of small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs.
According to him, "in context of idealism, with regards to global comparisons and at universal *exchange rate of 1USD/₦400* , we propose the following potential fee structure for the different license categories, taking into account the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, believing that, it will serve as a general guide for a further responsive license agents regulatory reforms in the industry for the common good of all parties."
Among its proposals is a six-tier licensing model, ranging from Standard to Specialized and Bonded Warehouse Operator licenses, with fees calibrated to service complexity and risk. For example, a Standard License would cost between N50,000 and N100,000 for new applicants, while a Specialized License could go up to N300,000. Insurance bond requirements also vary, with the highest tier requiring up to N5 million.
SEREC warns that the proposed fee hike could disproportionately affect SMEs, many of which may be unable to absorb the increased costs.
The center also cautions that higher fees could lead to increased costs for traders, ultimately slowing down trade and economic growth.
“We recommend that the NCS consider a more balanced and nuanced approach to licensing reform,” the statement reads, urging collaboration with stakeholders such as the Customs Consultative Committee and Freight Forwarding Associations.
To ensure long-term relevance, SEREC suggests that licensing fees be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), allowing for responsive updates that reflect inflationary trends without destabilizing the industry.
SEREC’s release concludes with a call for inclusive dialogue and a shared commitment to reform that benefits all parties—regulators, agents, and the broader trading community.
As the debate over customs licensing intensifies, SEREC’s position paper offers a roadmap for reform rooted in fairness, professionalism, and economic pragmatism.
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