Customs Agents Fault Terminal Handling Charges

The National Presi
dent, National  Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents (NCMDCA) Mr. Lucky Amiwero has said that Terminal Charge (THC) is a duplication of terminal delivery charges (TDC) by terminal operators  in the nation’s seaports.
Explaining his position on the matter in a statement made available to newsmen, Mr. Amiwero argued that THC were cost borne  by shipping lines for container shipped on Free on Board (FOB) terms.
“Nigeria  operates cost insurance and freight (CIF) term that incorporates the payment of freight,  which  covers the cost from loading, discharge to delivery of consignment at destination in line with the contract of carriage as defined in the obligation of a common carrier” he said.
Mr Amiwero who is regarded as one of the few highly  experienced licensed customs agents in the maritime industry, described THC as an illegal imposition that is duplicated with TDC.
“THC is not covered by any service and should be dropped, as such charges contravene all international obligations, which state that all fees must represent a cost recovery mechanism and must be calculated as the lowest possible  amount  reflecting the approximate actual cost of the service rendered” he said.
According to him, the cargo dwell time  in the Nigerian Ports as high as against  the situation in other African Ports.