Discussions are taking place here in the States about the enforcement of Cargo Tracking notes. This sounds new for Nigeria. All cargo due into Nigeria (almost immediately) will be required to have a cargo tracking note - whether its personal effects or autos.
We are receiving notices that all cargo entering into Nigeria will now need a mandatory cargo tracking note. What has the community heard - and will this alleviate the need for any Form M's.

Lets hear what the deal is (please lets limit speculation)

We are encountering the same challenge as well. our shipments are been delayed because of this document.

check out this website. it has useful information

http://www.otal.com/nigeria/nigeriawaiver.htm


Hope this helps

You can get in touch with their Agents office in USA who is incharge of the processing of the Cargo Tracking Notes. They will be able to give you more details.

The contact details is as follows:


HOUSTON
COMMERCIAL INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LLC Tel: +1 713 491 4277
Fax : +1 832 592 9309
PO Box 690401 Email: comintersvcs@comcast.net

Houston, Texas 77269-0401 P.i.c.: Mr. Burnell Russell
Mobile : +1 832 592 9309

As an NVOCC - we have an obligation to protect us customers. Knowledge is the best tool for protection. We are informing every customer of this new obligation. If they decide to abide by it and allow us to assist them in securing a CTN - then great. If they decide they DO NOT need one or supply their own to us - then they must sign off on a waiver. It's a slippery slope - because there are plenty of loaders and freight forwarding companies in the USA that will load and send a container / cargo to port without even discussing this CTN. Then they will be non-responsive to their customers if it gets stuck and or seized in Nigera.

Whats the old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. ? That definately applies here until this CTN and it's application are further understood.

I would be a big advocate for allowing the Nigerian Customs authority in Nigeria collecting their own Taxes!!! That is what this really is. This screws the little guy who is trying to make a small bit to better his family on both sides of the Atlantic.

No, it wont eliminate the need for Form M.

Form M will still be required for Imports into Nigeria

We know the steps. But with a customer base that ships primarily used vehicles and personal effects - That same cargo that is exempt for Form 's - This cargo should be exempt for CTN's  also.

ACL / Grimaldi
Maersk
Delmas - CMA CGM
MSC

No one knows exactly how to handle this situation until after the meeting later this week.

We will see.

Hopefully it will not force the little guys out of business. We cater to guys that do usually less than 12 containers a year.

Robek - are actually experiencing a delay right now ? Because of this CTN ? How is that possible?

Yes.

Our supplier was not aware of the new law.

Container was booked to be loaded tomorrow and he just found out today so cannot load tomorrow again because he has to process the CTN hence the delay.

Many of us were not aware of the introduction of this CTN.

Did you read the article in the PUNCH today ? I guess this is no drill - What is normally called a crime can be called law by a politician.

Hello all

Any update on this, and by the way what was in that punch story, i dint get to read it (I guess this will concern all and sundry on this Auto forum)

Regards

I want to explain that the CTN will still be required after 11/1/2010 but before 1/3/2010 there will be no penalty. This means that if a cargo arrives at Lagos after 11/1/2010, then there will be no penalty but you still have to get the CTN from the port of loading. You still have to pay warehousing and storage charges before 1/3/2010. They will only waive the penalties until 1/3/2010, after that peanlties will start to be imposed in addition to the storage and warehousing fees.

We as a rule - are explaining the same to our customers.  The steamship lines are not willing to put anything in writing that will define the "hardships" that some shippers and receivers may face. Everyone is taking a defensive posture and clutching their pockets. We are anticipating that this will become similar to a Form M issue. The Nigerian government has received the credit line form World banks to have the system put into place. (That was the big score). Some shippers will actually honor the requirement lawfully - others - will scoff at it and submit fake CTN numbers.  Ultimately - things will get handled on the bottom. It will be another tax - that will never find its way home to the infra - structure development,  Give this one 6 months tops.

American Export lines takes the stance that all shipments need a CTN - how you get one and from who is your business. We will list the cargo as you tell us too. None of us are new to this industry - handle your affairs as you would (Business as usual)  Let the economy continue. If you ship with AEL we will offer to secure an authentic CTN number - Feel free to call or email for the steps to secure one. Or to set up a shipment.

Can anybody guide us is the following true or not?

===============================================================
NIGERIA – Procedures Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN) In China
In accordance with the Nigerian Federal Executive Council’s decision of December 9th 2009, every
shipment to Nigeria has to be covered by a CTN issued at the loading port as from January 11th 2010
(B/L date).
The shipper or his forwarders should complete the attached Excel document and sent per email to
the local representative for control. A copy of the corresponding B/L should be attached for Roroand
conventional shipments. Incomplete CTN will be refused, so, also BL‐number, freight details,
cargo value, date of issuance, … are compulsory.
After control, the validated CTN will be kept at the disposal of the shipper against payment of
following charges:
1/ delivery of the CTN: ∙
USD 205.00 ‐ for shipments from other continents
2/ tariff per mode of shipment:
FCL: USD170.00 / 20’ teu & USD255.00 / 40’ teu
Roro: USD85.00 ‐ per vehicle up to 5 ton unit weight
USD170.00 ‐ per vehicle over 5 ton unit weight
These tariffs are applicable for every chassis number mentioned on the B/L.
Conventional shipments: USD8.50 wm (minimum USD85.00‐ per CTN)
Consolidated cargo/LCL: USD8.50 wm (minimum USD85.00 ‐ per CTN) – one CTN to be issued
per individual LCL‐parcel.
3/administration fee: USD55.00 per CTN
The CTN should always be issued upon shipment at the loading ports – regularization at destination
will not be possible.
At destination, Nigerian Ports Authority or its representative will inspect each and every shipment on
the existence of a corresponding CTN.
For any further information, you’re requested to contact the station nearest to your office.

I want to explain that the CTN will still be required after 11/1/2010 but before 1/3/2010 there will be no penalty. This means that if a cargo arrives at Lagos after 11/1/2010, then there will be no penalty but you still have to get the CTN from the port of loading. You still have to pay warehousing and storage charges before 1/3/2010. They will only waive the penalties until 1/3/2010, after that peanlties will start to be imposed in addition to the storage and warehousing fees.
Does this mean that any container that arrives without CTN after March 1, 2010 will be penalized? Any idea why the FG introduced this measure? It seems that Naija bound cargos are charged more than other W/African countries.