NCS Okays 114 Firms for Fast Track Clearance

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has given 114 companies the nod to enjoy fast track concession platform created in the enhanced Pre-Arrival Assessment System (PAAS), for achieving transparency in their import clearance procedures.

Dikko Inde Abdullahi, comptroller-general, NCS said that the approval would encourage compliance in the conduct of international trade in Nigeria.

“We have observed over time that these companies have exhibited high level of diligence in their documentations, honesty in their declarations and integrity in dealing with Customs,” he said.

The new Fast Track System, which took effect last week, has been configured to accord special recognition to the final documents belonging to the beneficiary companies when they are uploaded by the dealer banks.

Beneficiaries admitted into the scheme include local manufacturing companies, multinationals, automobile companies, telecom operators and supermarket retail outlets.

The list, according to Customs, will be reviewed periodically subject to the performance of the importers on the compliance scale. Beneficiary companies will be published in the national dailies to enable Nigerians know those who are doing it right.

“We believe publishing it will challenge those listed not to engage in acts that will compromise their status, while putting pressure on those that are yet to make the list,” the Comptroller-General stated.

Operationally, once the verified documents hit the Customs system, an automatic system check is activated, which, on completion, generates the PAAR without recourse to the officers of the ruling centre. The declaration is instantly routed to the green lane and the process completed within few minutes. Such importers can immediately take delivery of their cargo, while Customs will conduct routine post clearance audit of their books.