Customs Launches Overtime E-Clearance System To Ease Port Congestion, Tackle 15-Year Cargo Backlog

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCoS) has unveiled the Overtime E-Clearance System, a digital platform designed to improve cargo management, reduce congestion, and curb corruption at the nation’s ports.

The platform, introduced on Monday at Apapa Port, is expected to address a 15-year backlog of abandoned cargo. Customs announced the development in a statement shared on its X handle Tuesday.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, formally launched the initiative during a sensitisation exercise in Lagos. He explained that the system will allow consignees to file and track applications remotely, reducing the need for repeated visits to Customs offices and minimising manual interference.

“The system builds on an earlier policy that extended cargo dwelling periods from 30 to 120 days to give stakeholders more flexibility,” Adeniyi said. “The focus is transparency, integrity and adherence to the law. We urge stakeholders to test the system and provide feedback ahead of full deployment.”

Adeniyi warned against deliberate abuse of the process, pointing to a 15-year-old overtime cargo case still under investigation. He stressed that abandoning cargo to evade duties would attract tougher sanctions, with Customs’ intelligence units monitoring compliance closely.

As part of the rollout, the Service will hold additional sensitisation sessions this week with terminal operators, shipping companies, and other key stakeholders before extending the engagement to more commands. Deployment will commence after reviewing feedback and addressing legal queries.

The initiative comes shortly after the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, directed Customs to suspend the implementation of the 4% Free on Board levy on imported goods.

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