Dealers to pay more as terminal imposes N50,000 charges on imported cars

The Ports and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML) said it will from May 1, 2023, begin to charge an additional N50,000 on imported cars handled with forklifts at the port terminal.

According to the terminal operator, the new charge will cover the high cost involved in handling the cars with a forklift from the vessel to the final delivery.

This information was contained in a notice to customers dated April 17, 2023, and signed by the management of the terminal, a copy of which was sighted by BusinessDay.

“PTML would like to bring to the attention of its esteemed customers that with effect from May 1, 2023, all fork/lifted cars will be subjected to an additional charge of N50,000 per unit. This charge is necessary to cover the high cost involved in handling the cars with a forklift from the vessel to the final delivery,” the notice explained.

Read also: Rail transport recorded more passengers, lower revenue in 2022 – NBS

It further explained that PTML is confident that its esteemed customers would understand the rationale behind this review which the company said will assist it in ensuring its superior level of service and also appreciate the competitiveness of its rates.

Recall that PTML recently wrote to the Nigerian Shippers Council, the economic regulator for the port, requesting an increment in the vehicle/car tariffs which according to them has not been reviewed for over a decade.

It said the review has become important following the impact of inflation, deteriorating economic conditions; increasing operational/administrative costs; high rate of exchange value and other such economic factors on terminal business.

Reacting to this, Sandra Chinwendu, a clearing agent that specialises in vehicle clearance, told BusinessDay that the new terminal charge will only apply to cars that are being towed from the vessels to the terminal especially the badly dented vehicles that come into the country.

She said the additional N50,000 is to cover the cost of towing the vehicle.

BusinessDay also understands that clearing agents are perfecting plans to contest the legality of the new charge.

This was confirmed by Kayode Farinto, the acting national president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), who described the charge as illegal, but said the group will address it with the responsible authorities.