The customs service made this known in a circular pasted on the wall at the PTML Customs Command office in Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, Leadership reports.
The circular noted that some importers had abandoned their goods, mainly vehicles in the port for the past one year, adding that they have two weeks to clear them.
The publication listed names of the importers, agencies and details of the consignments. It indicated that the importers and their agents have made declarations between January and December last year but have not paid for them.
The Customs Command therefore gave the importers two weeks to pay or forfeit them as overtime cargoes. The list of the affected goods is over 2,000.
Affected importers who had paid but not cleared them were advised to show evidence of payment to enable them take delivery of the goods.
The Customs also warned that failure to comply with the directive may lead to suspension of the declarant or agency and the consignee in the ASYCUDA system.
However, a customs source said that the Customs Service does not rush to auction people’s vehicles, until enough time has been given to them to clear them without compliance.
A customs officer who pleaded anonymity said that “It is this threat that the agents have taken serious and have been making frantic efforts to clear the goods.”
Cars being abandoned at the port is not new as most people who buy cars usually do not have the money to clear them or the documents to show purchase. In cases where the cars cannot be cleared by the owners, the customs service auctions them but only through an announcement by the customs official website and not through any social media.
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