The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has directed all licensed customs agents to ensure they renew their licenses for year 2017 on or before March 31st 2017.
The Service gave the directive in a letter dated November 1st 2016 and signed by Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Tariff & Trade, S.R Alu on behalf of the Comptroller General.
A copy of the letter titled Circular No. 017 2016; Renewal of Customs Agency License, which was sighted by SHIPS & PORTS DAILY warned that non-compliant agencies will be treated in line with the provisions of the extant rules.
It added that all applications for the renewal of agency license for the year under review are expected to commence from November 1st 2016 pointing out that renewals for 2016 agency license will no longer be entertained as it is time barred.
The letter reads in part: “This is a reminder to all Area Controllers and Licensed Customs agents on the need and procedure for renewal of customs agency licenses for the year mentioned above.
“That all applications for the renewal of agency license for the year 2017 are expected to commence from November 1st 2016. Therefore, renewals for 2016 agency license will no longer be entertained as it is time barred.
“This is in consonance with provisions of section 7(a) of Customs and Excise notice No.4 and section 23 of Customs Agency Code which clearly states that application for renewal of license should be submitted by November of the current year.
“All licensed customs agents wishing to renew for the year 2017are to forward their applications early enough to enable processing and issuance within the stipulated period provided by law.
“That in compliance with our extant guidelines all area comptrollers are to ensure that all applications include clear verified corporate office addresses, accessible telephone numbers and email addresses.
“It is imperative for area comptrollers to notify all customs licensed agencies that 31st March 2017 is the deadline for renewal of licenses for year 2017. Non-compliant agencies will be treated in line with the provisions of the extant rules,”
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