The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance time from an average of 21 days to just 48 hours.
According to a statement released by the service on Sunday via its official X handle, the OSS initiative was unveiled during a meeting held on Thursday in Abuja between the NCS management and Customs Area Controllers.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described the reform as a “transformative shift” that aligns with global best practices and supports the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
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Adeniyi stated that the OSS is designed to streamline operations, eliminate duplication of efforts, and enhance predictability in Customs procedures.
“The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency, and make our operations more business-friendly,” the CGC said.
While acknowledging the role of technology in improving Customs operations, Adeniyi stressed the continuing need for physical engagement with officers.
“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence coming together under one roof adds weight and value to our deliberations. Meetings like this strengthen our unity of purpose and ensure we speak with one voice,” he noted.
Under the OSS framework, all Customs units will jointly process flagged declarations, ensuring that consignments cleared through the scheme will not face re-interception. This approach is expected to cut costs for importers, accelerate trade flows, and minimise opportunities for delays and corruption.
The statement further revealed that the NCS will deploy a central dashboard to monitor clearance times, interventions, and stakeholder satisfaction, thereby improving accountability and transparency in the system.
Adeniyi reaffirmed that the initiative is backed by the NCS Act 2023 and aligns with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
He added that the OSS will initially be piloted at the Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne ports before being rolled out nationwide.
“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent, and trader-friendly Customs Service,” Adeniyi said.
Following discussions on implementation strategies, the Customs Area Controllers pledged their full support for the reform and committed to achieving the 48-hour clearance target at the command level.
The development comes shortly after the NCS announced the exemption of raw materials, spare parts, and certain machinery from the payment of the four per cent Free on Board (FOB) levy.
The service explained that the exemption was introduced as a relief measure for manufacturers and critical sectors of the economy.
This policy shift was detailed in a communique jointly signed on Friday by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye.
The agreement followed a high-level consultation in Ikeja, Lagos, between the NCS and MAN on the application of the FOB levy.
