Nigeria Customs begins enforcement of new SOP for courier firms under DDP regime
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the implementation of a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate the operations of courier companies operating under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Incoterm.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced the development in a statement issued on Monday by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.
According to the statement, the new SOP is aimed at strengthening compliance, improving transparency, and enhancing effective revenue collection within the courier and logistics sub-sector.
Under the guidelines, courier companies seeking to operate under the DDP regime are now mandated to obtain an operating licence from the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters Licence and Permit Unit, domiciled in the Tariff and Trade Department.
The Customs boss explained that the licensing requirement would ensure that only duly authorised and compliant courier operators handle shipments under the DDP arrangement, where sellers are responsible for all duties, taxes, and delivery costs to the final destination.
The NCS urged affected courier companies to familiarise themselves with the new SOP and comply fully with its provisions, warning that enforcement measures would be applied against operators found to be in violation.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to modernising customs operations, facilitating legitimate trade, and safeguarding government revenue through clear regulatory frameworks.
