From January 1, the Import Documentation Fee for 20-foot containers rose from ₦45,000 to ₦58,500, while the fee for 40-foot containers went up from ₦72,000 to ₦93,600. Port Additional Charges also surged by 60%, jumping from ₦50,000 to ₦80,000 for 20-foot containers and from ₦100,000 to ₦160,000 for 40-foot containers.
Sulaiman Ayokunle, a media adviser to the president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA), warned that the sudden increase could disrupt importers' financial plans. Many had already calculated costs based on the old rates, using them to set product prices, manage cash flow, and secure bank loans. Delays in clearing goods could lead to higher storage and demurrage fees, and in extreme cases, abandoned or auctioned shipments.
Consumers will likely bear the brunt of these added costs, as importers pass them on through higher prices. MSC informed stakeholders of the increase just days before implementation, holding a meeting on December 29. Clearing agents claim the Nigeria Shippers Council approved the hike without proper consultation, which they argue violates policy guidelines. Neither MSC nor the Shippers Council has responded to requests for clarification, though the Council plans to meet stakeholders soon to address the issue.
MSC attributed the fee adjustments to rising operational costs, including inflation. However, experts like Muda Yusuf of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) question the timing, noting Nigeria’s stable macroeconomic conditions in 2025. The naira remained steady, and inflation dropped from 24.5% to 14.45%, making the increase harder to justify.
The affected shipments include everyday and industrial goods—electronics, home appliances, vehicles, medicines, clothing, and food items like frozen fish and processed foods. Infrastructure-related cargo, such as oil and gas equipment and construction machinery, is also impacted. Despite MSC’s recent expansion of services like the ‘Iroko Service’ linking China and Singapore to Lagos and Onne, some importers are considering switching to competitors due to the abrupt changes.
Yusuf argues that carriers should give ample notice for such adjustments, allowing importers to explore alternatives. Competition, he says, is the best check against arbitrary price hikes. The increases coincide with Nigeria’s new tax law, though experts see no direct link. Similar fee revisions have been applied to routes from Asia to Europe, suggesting a broader strategy by MSC.
Importers, frustrated by the lack of negotiation, may reduce reliance on MSC if the hikes persist. As Oyejide, an importer, noted, unilateral decisions like these rarely get reversed, leaving businesses with little choice but to adapt or seek other options.
