NAGAFF Backs Customs Suspension of Transire Processing, Seeks Digital Reconciliation
NAGAFF Backs Customs Suspension of Transire Processing, Seeks Digital Reconciliation
By Silas Onuoha
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the immediate suspension of transire processing to bonded warehouses and free trade zones with outstanding reconciliation.
NAGAFF described the measure as a strategic intervention capable of strengthening revenue assurance, improving compliance and blocking potential avenues of revenue leakage within the customs administration.
In a commendation letter dated September 25, 2026, and signed by its Secretary-General, Fwdr. Godfrey Nwosu, the association said the decision reflected the NCS’s commitment to safeguarding national economic interests while ensuring greater accountability in the management of customs processes.
According to NAGAFF, the suspension would help to enhance transparency and compliance by ensuring that outstanding transactions are properly reconciled before further transire processing is allowed.
The association, however, called for additional measures to sustain and consolidate the gains of the policy.
NAGAFF urged the Customs Service to deploy automated reconciliation systems that would enable real-time tracking of transire movements and facilitate prompt reconciliation of transactions.
It also advocated continuous capacity building for customs officers and freight forwarders, noting that regular training would help stakeholders remain compliant with evolving customs procedures and standards.
The freight forwarding body further called for sustained engagement between the NCS and key stakeholders, including bonded warehouse operators, free trade zone managers and freight forwarders.
Such engagement, it said, would promote shared responsibility, improve understanding of regulatory requirements and reduce avoidable compliance breaches.
NAGAFF also recommended the adoption of risk-based monitoring and intelligence-driven audits to identify high-risk transactions and address potential infractions before they escalate.
The association further proposed an integrated revenue assurance framework across customs collection points to promote consistency in revenue collection, reconciliation and reporting.
NAGAFF said the proposed measures, if implemented, would complement the suspension and further strengthen the efficiency and transparency of the customs administration.
The association assured the NCS of its readiness to collaborate with the Service in implementing measures aimed at strengthening compliance and revenue assurance.
It expressed confidence that closer cooperation between the NCS and industry stakeholders would contribute to greater stability in revenue collection and reinforce Nigeria’s economic resilience.
Fwdr. Godfrey Nwosu
Secretary-General
National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF)
