The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for the immediate suspension of transire processing to bonded warehouses and free trade zones with outstanding reconciliation.
In a letter dated September 25, 2026, and addressed to the Comptroller-General of Customs at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, NAGAFF Secretary-General, Fwdr. Godfrey Nwosu, described the decision as a strategic measure demonstrating the Service’s commitment to national security and revenue generation.
Nwosu said the suspension would help block potential avenues of revenue leakage while promoting greater transparency and compliance within the customs administration.
According to him, the measure represents an important step towards ensuring that transactions involving bonded warehouses and free trade zones are properly reconciled and that government revenue is adequately protected.
“By blocking avenues of potential revenue leakage, the NCS has taken a strategic step that will enhance transparency, strengthen compliance, and deliver optimal results across all collection points,” Nwosu stated.
However, NAGAFF urged the Customs Service to complement the suspension with additional measures capable of sustaining the gains and ensuring long-term stability in revenue collection.
The association recommended the deployment of automated reconciliation systems, including real-time digital platforms for tracking transire movements and ensuring prompt reconciliation.
It also called for continuous capacity building for customs officers and freight forwarders to keep stakeholders abreast of evolving compliance standards and procedures.
NAGAFF further advocated regular consultations among the Customs Service, bonded warehouse operators, free trade zone managers and freight forwarders, stressing the importance of shared responsibility in strengthening compliance.
The association also recommended risk-based monitoring through intelligence-driven audits to identify high-risk transactions and prevent infractions before they escalate.
In addition, NAGAFF called for an integrated revenue assurance framework across all collection points to promote consistency in revenue collection and reporting.
The association assured the Customs Service of its readiness to collaborate in implementing the proposed measures.
NAGAFF expressed confidence that stronger reconciliation mechanisms, stakeholder cooperation and improved monitoring would contribute to greater stability in revenue collection and reinforce Nigeria’s economic resilience.
The commendation comes amid continuing efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service to strengthen revenue assurance, compliance and accountability across the nation’s customs-controlled trade environment.
