Nigerian authorities have
established an on-line
trade hub as the first step
towards speeding up the
clearance of
goods through
the ports.
It is part
of a broader
vision to
establish
Nigerian
ports as trade
hubs for West
Africa.
The
Nigerian
Trade Hub
(NTH)
includes useful tools such
as a Duty Calculator,
Customs Procedure Codes,
Freight Rates and Export
Classification.
According to the
developers of the site,
the “intuitive” HS Code
Classification Tool assists
shippers with the correct
classification of their
products for both import
and export.
Once the correct HS
(harmonised system) code
for an imported product is
obtained, the
tool provides
the necessary
regulatory
information
about the
product
including
regulating
agencies,
control
measures,
prohibition
status, ETLS
(ECOWAS
Trade Liberalisation
Scheme) status depending
on the country of origin,
document requirements,
related duties and fees and
processing times.
For exports, on selection
of the country of export,
shippers are presented
with the Exportation
Country’s Market Access
information, including the
relevant HS Code and the
rates of duty it will attract
upon entry.
It is described as “a
portal for the importer
or exporter to get correct
information to enable them
make their decisions about
doing business in Nigeria”.
In addition to the tools,
NTH provides information
about all the Nigerian
regulatory agencies, their
contact details, processes,
documents, fees and
processing times that an
importer or exporter will
need to liaise with them to
obtain the necessary import
permits and certificates
that are required to ensure
compliance.
There are also contact
details of organisations
linked with trade in
Nigeria.
A document library
provides downloadable
documents relating to trade
with Nigeria, including
official publications, legal
information, regulatory
documents and customs
procedures.
The site can be found at
www.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng.
It’s a partnership of the
Nigeria Customs Service
(NCS) and the Nigerian
Shippers’ Council, and the
NSC will implement the
next phase,
which is the
establishment of
an all-inclusive
single window
electronic trade
platform.
Payments will be made
electronically through the
hub, with online clearance
and the issuing of an
electronic manifest.
Hassan Bello, executive
secretary of the NSC,
is quoted as saying “we
will eliminate a lot of
bureaucracy, which means
the multiplicity
of documents,
multiplicity of desks
and the procedures
will be simplified."
INSERT
The next phase will
be the establishment
of an all-inclusive
single window
electronic trade
platform.
