The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on all Nigerian importers to shun shipping their consignments into the country through the CMA CGM shipping agency should the firm go ahead to implement the congestion surcharge for all Nigerian bound cargoes.
The management of the shipping firm had through a press release it issued recently announced its intention to start collecting what it called congestion surcharge to the tune of N144,000 for all Nigerian bound cargoes with effect from October 15, 2018.
However, in a swift reaction, the National Vice President of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto noted that members of the association were shocked to receive the news of intending collection of the congestion charge adding that the development was an affront on the sensibility of Nigerians.
Farinto added that an additional charge of N144,000 per container would obviously add to the cost of cargo clearance at the nation’s seaports.
He said, “It is a breach of contract of affreightment which has been sealed before the cargo was shipped through the shipping line.
“That the supposed congestion charge would be viewed as obtaining money under false pretense which is not only a criminal offense but negates the federal government’s policy on Ease of Doing Business in the Nigerian ports.
“That we are issuing a global trade alert against CMA CGM shipping agency, hence we advise all Nigerian importers and Nigerians in the Diaspora not to ship their cargoes through CMA CGM shipping agency if they go ahead to implement this draconian policy called congestion surcharge”.
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