Nipost Retunes Guidelines for Couriers’ Registration

Nigeria Postal Service (Nipost) has released its updated rules to guide companies and individuals seeking to register courier firms in the country.

Under the new guidelines tagged “Courier Registration”, exclusively obtained by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, Nipost through the Courier Regulatory Department (CRD) has included the new licensing and renewal fees.

By implication, companies or individuals seeking to float courier firm would henceforth forward application form to the Senior Assistant Postmaster General, CRD, with the licence fee, in bank draft of N2 million for domestic or national operation, or N10 million for international courier operations. This goes with a non-refundable fee of N20, 000.

The document added, “Note that the non-refundable licence fee should be payable to the Postmaster General”.

Thereafter, the inspection team from CRD would visit at least five branches and head office of the prospective courier operator; the success of the inspection entitles the prospective operator to new courier licence.

Under the new fee regime, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that renewal fee is pegged at N500,000 for domestic operators while their international counterparts are to dole out N2 million.  

Other information and/or evidence required from the prospective companies include, but limited to Certified True copy of Certificate of Incorporation; Memorandum/Articles of Association; Company’s Tax Clearance for the last three years (originals to be sighted); Leasehold Certificate or Tenancy Agreement in respect of the company’s registered office and Evidence or information to show capacity to operate courier service including but not limited to indemnity insurance policy of Five Hundred Thousand Naira, capital base of Two Million Naira or a bond of that value.

Others are Names, qualifications and addresses including telephone and/or fax numbers of all Directors of the company; Samples of waybills, labels, bags, tags envelopes, receipts registered trade mark (if any) and other documents that may be required and Partnership, merger, alliance (or such other arrangements) agreements (if any).

Dr. Simeon Emeje, senior assistant postmaster general and head of CRD, had told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the new fees are in accordance with the trends of the time, adding that the department is working assiduously to ensure courier industry in Nigeria is properly regulated and in consonance with international best practices.

According to him, with a postal commission highly expected to come on board, courier industry would heave sigh of relief soon, especially in addressing multifaceted issues confronting operators currently.

“The new licencing and renewal fees reflect the current trends in the economy and Nipost is reviewing the fees after 12 years.

“On the courier operators’ challenges, we have had several discussions with them and the complaints are not far from multiple taxations through stickers by local governments, the issue of Lagos traffic law, etc. We hope that with a new Postal Commission coming on board would not just modulate operations in the industry, but it will harness tools of engagement that will enable government at different levels see reasons with the courier operators,” he said