Shipping line defends container disposal process

A growing debate over customs duties on disposed shipping containers has prompted a leading international shipping line to defend its container disposal practices, insisting that buyers, not sellers, bear responsibility for any customs obligations arising from the domestication of containers. A maritime trade consultant, Mr. Okey Ibeke, had on Monday in Lagos, called on the […]

A growing debate over customs duties on disposed shipping containers has prompted a leading international shipping line to defend its container disposal practices, insisting that buyers, not sellers, bear responsibility for any customs obligations arising from the domestication of containers.

A maritime trade consultant, Mr. Okey Ibeke, had on Monday in Lagos, called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to investigate the sale of containers imported under temporary admission arrangements, warning that widespread non-compliance with customs procedures could be resulting in significant revenue leakages.

But in a swift reaction, Grimaldi Agency Nigeria, rose in defence of its container disposal practices, insisting that buyers, not sellers, bear responsibility for any customs obligations arising from the domestication of containers.

The clarification followed concerns within Nigeria’s maritime industry regarding the disposal of empty shipping containers and the potential impact on government revenue collection. Industry stakeholders have increasingly scrutinized the process through which containers are sold after completing their operational lifecycle in international shipping.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Grimaldi Agency Nigeria said claims suggesting that the seller was liable for customs duties following the sale of a few empty containers are inaccurate and inconsistent with the terms of sales.