The Nigeria Customs Service has introduced an automated overtime e-clearance system to ease congestion at the nation’s ports and boost trade facilitation.

Announcing the initiative on its official X handle on Wednesday, the Service said the digital platform will streamline the clearance of long-standing overtime cargo, minimize delays, reduce manual intervention, and curb corruption.

“As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce congestion at the ports and improve trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service is embracing digital solutions, unveiling a new automated overtime e-clearance system,” the NCS post stated.

During a sensitization exercise in Lagos, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated that the platform enables consignees to submit and monitor applications remotely, eliminating the hassle of repeated visits to customs offices.

He added that the initiative is designed to reduce costs and speed up cargo clearance for owners.

Adeniyi said, “We are more interested in removing these cargoes from our ports rather than managing them as overtime. If we had a choice, we would rather get all of them out of the ports.

“Everything we have tried to do is to ensure that our processes are more efficient, so that the cost and time it takes to clear these cargoes from the ports will be reduced.”

The customs C-G warned against misuse of the system, referencing a 15-year-old overtime cargo case still under investigation as an example of loopholes the Service is determined to close.

He cautioned that intentional abandonment of cargo to avoid duty payments will attract stiffer penalties, adding that customs intelligence units will closely monitor attempts at abuse.

The Comptroller-General instructed the Zone A Coordinator to convene further engagement sessions with terminal operators and shipping companies to guarantee seamless rollout of the new system.

Senior officials, including ACJ Mohamed Babandede, commended the initiative, calling it a stride toward greater transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Representatives of terminal operators and shipping lines also pledged their support, noting that the platform will ease congestion and significantly improve turnaround times at Nigeria’s ports.

The Nigeria Customs Service has recently extended the clearance window for overtime cargoes to 120 days. Previously, the deadline was 30 days for airports and 90 days for seaports. Once this period lapses, unclaimed goods are slated for disposal, while perishable or inflammable items may be auctioned immediately.