Customs Moves to End Scanning Nightmare at Apapa Port

The Apapa Customs Command has  harmonized its risk management  engines with   all other services  providers in what will address the  scanning  nightmare being suffered by importers at the nation’s  premier port.

This, it was gathered , will improve  on the systems selectivity module, and  in effect  improve    on  the  examination of  goods through scanning method,    which is mainly for consignments  on the   yellow lane, as   containers for scanning are known.

A top customs source  who did not want to be quoted  told   our Correspondent that when the single risk management engine becomes operational, it will pave the way for the pre-scanning of containers.

He said “  it will mean that selectivity will move  from importers’ declaration to information on the manifest. It  therefore means that the risk management engines will profile  imports prior to their landing in our ports based on information given on the advanced electronic manifest”.  He explained that the   gains  of introducing  this new procedure were  numerous,  “as it will totally eliminate the queues at the scanning site,  and will provide  enough time for the resolution of  queries”.

According to him, this method  will drastically reduce  the cost of demurrage on transportation, minimize person to person contact, eliminate graft, increase government revenue and ultimately facilitate trade”.

It would be recalled that  importers and  freight forwarders  have been lamenting over the delay  being experienced  at  the Apapa port  during scanning  of containers.

Some of the agents had said   that it takes  more than one week, a development that has  led to high demurrage payment  by importers.

The delay  in scanning  of containers has often led to long queues along Apapa Oshodi road as  empty containers being returned to the port  do not have enough space  and are often times  being  turned back by terminal operators.

Source : Thisday