The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has asserted that the proposed International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) lacks legal backing and is not linked to any specific service.
The group said in a petition signed by its President, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu that any charges or fees imposed on importers as a result of ICTN would amount to extortion.
In the petition, Amiwero explained that the ICTN was initially set to be implemented about 15 years ago but was suspended due to its high cost and the negative impact it would have had on cargo clearance.
It could be recalled that in 2016, the government constituted a Technical Committee made up of the Nigerian Shippers Council, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), and the NCMDLCA to address stakeholders’ concerns regarding the ICTN.
Part of the petition reads: “The International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is not backed by law and will create an additional procedure that will lead to delays in the already lengthy and cumbersome port operations.
“The ICTN is not tied to any service, as outlined in Article 6 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which addresses fees and charges imposed in connection with importation and exportation.
“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act, Section 28-(1)-(4), covers the obligation of the Cargo Tracking Note, which confers authority to the Service to develop, maintain, and employ an electronic system. The NCS is the lead agency for exchanging information between the Service, other government agencies, and traders.”
He added that the legislation governing other government agencies does not include provisions for an electronic system or pre-arrival process related to imports and exports or the clearance of goods.
Amiwero stated that deploying any electronic system related to ICTN would be in violation of existing laws, adding unnecessary costs, duplicating processes, and creating obstacles to trade.
