NCMDLCA Reports Nigerian Shippers' Council to Presidency Over Reintroduction of ICTN
... describes ICTN as illegal as it was not backed by any known law or legislation
The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, has reported the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, to the Presidency over it's attempts to bring back the suspended International Cargo Tracking Note, ICTN, due to its cost and procedure effect on Cargo clearance.
According to the petition signed by the National President, NCMDLCA, Mr Lucky Ayis Amiwero, described the ICTN as illegal as it was not backed by any known law or legislation and that the concept is not tied to any service on fees and charges imposed on importation and exportation.
According to the group, the ICTN, was first introduced in 2010 by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in 2015/2016, was on both occasions shot down and suspended due to its cost and procedure effect on Cargo clearance.
The group therefore registered their grievances by writing a petition to the presidency over the attempts of Nigeria Shippers' Council to reintroduce ICTN which has been suspended on two occasions due to its defects.
“We hereby bring to the attention of the Federal Government on the push for the implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note, ICTN, which was first introduced by Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, in 2010 and the Second in 2015/2016 by Nigerian Shippers council, NSC.
"And now, there is a recent push by the Shippers Council, NSC, to implement a scheme that was suspended, due to the cost and procedure its effect on cargo clearance” the group complained.
The NCMDLCA recalled that due to the outcry of the stakeholders over the re-introduction of the ICTN in 2016, the Federal government set up a technical committee comprising the Nigeria Shippers Council, NSC, Manufactures Association of Nigeria, MAN, Shipping Association of Nigeria, SAN, and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, to resolve concern of stakeholders.
"Then the committee was asked to examine all cost associated with the implementation of international Cargo Tracking Note, ascertain where the cost burden of the implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note, will rest with a view to ensuring that the already high cost of doing business at our port is not worsened, to examine the basis and justification for all related charges with a view to reviewing same and to review the implementation and documentation procedures for charges and service.
“The Committee was Chaired by the National President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, Lucky Eyis Amiwero, and after careful assessment of the deliberation based on the implication and complexities the implementation was suspended.”
"The international Cargo Tracking Note(ICTN) is not back by law and will create additional procedure that will constitute delay in the already lengthy and cumbersome port operation.
“It is not tied to Service of any sort, as contained in Articles 6: of Trade Facilitation Agreement(TFA) on Fees and Charges imposed in connection with Importation and Exportation.
“Furthermore, the Nigeria Customs Service Act Section 28-(1)-(4) covered the obligation of Cargo Tracking Note, which conferred authority to the Service, to develop, maintain and employ an electronic system, while the Service is lead agency for exchange of information between the Service, Agencies of the Government, and traders.
"As provided in Section 28 and 35 of the Nigeria Customs Act, the deployment of electronic system, and Pre-arrival process is the exclusive preserve of the service and is the lead agency to all Government Agencies, which clearly exclude other government agencies from deploying international electronic Tracking Note system”
“The legislation of other government Agencies, do not contain any provision of electronic` system and pre-arrival process, in relation to Import and Export and the clearance of goods”
The freight forwarders therefore challenged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council that deployment of any electronic system is in contravention of the laws, additional cost, duplicated process, and obstacle to trade.
