The acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has revealed that Nigerian importers will soon have the option to clear their goods from the ports in Cotonou, Benin Republic. This development follows a two-day working visit by the director-general and senior officials of the customs service of Benin Republic to Abuja, where customs personnel from both nations reached various agreements aimed at boosting trade relations and curbing smuggling.
Adeniyi emphasized the importance of building trust in the customs systems of both countries to facilitate trade. Under the agreement, Nigerian importers who choose to use the ports in Cotonou will be able to clear their goods there and pay the required duties. The customs duties on goods liable for payment will be accounted for in the ports of arrival, allowing these goods to enter Nigeria freely.
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While the discussion initially revolved around concerns related to vehicle smuggling, Adeniyi clarified that this arrangement applies to all goods arriving at Cotonou ports. The process will resemble the clearing of goods in Nigerian ports, with the duties assessed and paid before entry into the Nigerian territory. The specific steps and timelines for implementing this arrangement will be worked out in the near future.
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