At its coming into being in 1891, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was saddled with the responsibilities of revenue collection, accounting for same and anti-smuggling activities. Today trade facilitation has become a fundamental role, progressively seen by government as an important element of economic policy, with Customs having a unique position within the hub of the international supply chain of goods and services. Consequently, one of the challenges to Nigeria Customs Service is the proactive management of the seeming contradictory role of ensuring improvements in speedy delivery of services, while maintaining systematic and effective intervention controls, necessary to meet the demands of complex and growing international trade, characterized in recent times by economic crime, money laundering, menace of terrorism, threatening weapons of mass destruction, violation of intellectual property rights, and dumping of toxic and hazardous substances. It is apparent therefore, that Nigeria Customs Service that has for long been a steward of the nation’s trade and border management is not only under pressure like never before, but now has an enlarged role to perform at the highest levels, to facilitate legitimate trade in a global environment harbouring a litany of threats. Nigeria Customs Service has the mission to provide services in ways that maximize efficiency and promote trade competitiveness wherein declarations are promptly processed.
Our Mission
Nigeria Customs Service is a reference and model administration with excellence in providing effective and efficient service to accomplish all dimensions of its mission.
That the Service is a modern, compact and dynamic Service that influences policy and contributes to Nigeria development.
That the Service is recognized as being in the vanguard of Customs best practices and international standards.
Our Vision
• To excel in the efficient and timely collection of and accounting for revenue.
• Implementation of and advise on Governmental trade and fiscal policies.
• Promotion of trade facilitation
• Protection of Nigerian society, generation of accurate and precise statistical data by developing a professional, transparent administration that implements international best practices and obligations.
Current Situation
The Nigeria Customs Service statutory functions can be broadly classified into two main categories namely, core and other functions:
Core Functions
- Collection of Revenue i.e. Import and Excise Duties and Accounting for same
- Prevention and suppression of smuggling
Other Functions
• Implementation of Government Fiscal Measures
• Generation of statistical data for planning purpose
• Trade Facilitation
• Implementation of bilateral and multilateral agreements entered into by government
• Collection of levies and charges
• Collaborative functions with government Agencies including CBN, Police, NDLEA, SON, NAFDAC, FIRS, etc.
The Service also supports the combating of:
• Illegal commercial activities and trade in illicit goods, e.g. import of fake and sub-standard goods
• Infraction on Intellectual Property Rights
• Illegal international trade in endangered species
• Illegal trade in arms and ammunition
• Money laundering
• Traffic of illicit drugs
• Illegal trade in cultural Artifacts
• Importation of pornographic materials
• Importation of toxic and hazardous substances
Areas Of Strength
The NCS today has a workforce with professional service culture exemplified by the followings:
• Corps of trained Customs professionals
• Mission and Vision statements
• Application of Risk Management System
• Electronic declarations and payment
• Access to information portal and single electronic point (NCS) Website
• Real-time account and actual revenue collected
• Adherence and strict implementation of three Customs procedures(classification, valuation and origin)essential to revenue collection
• Implementation of Agreement on Customs Valuation (ACV)
• Collaboration with World Customs Organization, Business and stakeholders
• Exchange of information and intelligence
• International best practices
Areas Requiring Immediate Government Intervention
• Effective take-over of all Customs import and export clearance functions
• Legislative reform to provide a basis for the application of modern Customs Procedures
• Improved capacity building-completion of the construction of Customs Staff College
• Streamlining of procedure with other Government Agencies
• Review of current penalty regime lacking effective deterrents against violations of Customs Laws
• Better funding for infrastructures as applied to modern procedure
• Simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures
• Reduction of items on the prohibition list
• Just-in-time delivery of goods and services by removal of non-tariff barriers
• Promotion of transparent and predictable business environment
Future Plans
• Effective risk management
• Full implementation of modern Customs procedures
• Strengthening of Post Clearance controls and re-engineering of processes
• Effective use of advance information system through electronic data interchange (EDI) e.g. e-manifest and Alerts
• Elimination of archaic Customs procedures inconsistent with developments in transportation technology and business practices
• Seamless real time transactions, paperless flows and connectivity with other stakeholders
• Development of a single window for harmonizing and standardizing international trade information
• Increased awareness/capacity building of stakeholders
• More cost efficient and predictable border processing of goods and people
• Adoption of i-border (intelligent border) solutions
• Use of biometrics and improved baggage management at Airports
• Hone strategic direction and use of capacity building measures to minimize the operational gaps between the Service and stakeholders
• Developing the capacity to conduct compliance and audits at trader premises
• Requirement of financial guarantees from all Authorized Economic Operators
• Building a Service that has integrity and good image
For more info, visit www.customs.gov.ng
