CEM REPORT, TRADE | The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the launch of Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) which will be responsible for receiving charges on specific activities at the port.
This is as the authority directed terminal operators and shipping companies to halt collection of charges on export cargoes arriving at various terminals
According to Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, the EPTs creation is in compliance with Executive Order 001 which grants the agency power to create export terminals within the ports.
He added that the EPTs will ensure that operation does not conflict with existing service lines of terminal operators and shipping companies,
Bello-Koko also noted that the terminal will handle charges to include, cargo examination, weighbridge/ Verified Gross Mass (VGM) stuffing, storage and extra service charge
On the halt of charges on export cargoes arriving at various terminals for loading, the authority explained that such charges will only be collected where there are specific requests by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) or other government agencies.
The authority said the request should follow appropriate and verifiable documentation provided by the terminal operator upon demand by the government.
Highlighting benefits of the terminal, the port management said it will ensure that operation does not conflict with existing service lines of terminal operators and shipping companies,
Additionally, the agency noted that the EPTs is at an advanced stage of integrating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) to the ETO requirements, noting that this will stop shipping lines from delivering export boxes to terminals without concluding the NXP requirements, thus dumping such boxes in the terminals with its associated challenges.
