Nigeria Customs, India sign Mutual Administrative Agreement
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has signed a Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) with its Indian counterpart to strengthen bilateral relations.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented the NCS during the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
According to a statement by the National PRO of Customs, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, the agreement is a part of the engagements during the state visit by the Indian Prime Minister, Narenda Modi, on 17 November 2024 at the State House, Abuja.
Adeniyi described the CMAA as a milestone achievement which culminated from negotiations that began in 2016.
“The agreement is expected to enhance collaboration between Customs administrations, streamline border clearance processes, and curb customs-related offenses. By facilitating the swift clearance of goods and reducing trade costs, the CMAA is set to bolster cross-border trade development and improve the enforcement of customs laws,” Adeniyi said.
Key provisions of the CMAA, as outlined in the MoU, include enforcement of Customs laws by ensuring the accurate imposition of duties and taxes, verification processes through the facilitation of proper classification, valuation, and determination of goods’ origin, prevention and investigation by strengthening mechanisms to combat customs offenses.
Other items in the CMAA include information exchange through establishment of robust channels for communication and mutual assistance, including providing expert witnesses where necessary.
The agreement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international trade partnerships while reinforcing the integrity and efficiency of its customs operations. By collaborating with India on Customs enforcement and trade facilitation, Nigeria aims to unlock new economic opportunities and deepen its global trade integration.
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