Odita Sunday 
Consultant challenges Grimaldi over container sale, alleges customs , regulatory breaches
By Odita Sunday
A trade and maritime consultant, Mr Okey Ibeke, has challenged the legality of the reported sale of shipping containers by Grimaldi Agency Nigeria, insisting that the company must comply with Nigerian customs and regulatory requirements before disposing of any temporarily imported containers within the country.
Ibeke, who is the Principal Consultant of International Trade Advisory Services, made the assertion in a statement issued on Thursday while responding to Grimaldi’s defence of its reported plan to dispose of empty shipping containers to local buyers.
According to him, the company’s claim that the containers were sold under a “foreign customs status” does not exempt it from compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023 and other applicable regulations.
He argued that any container physically located in Nigeria and transferred to a Nigerian buyer must be converted from temporary import status to permanent import status before ownership can be lawfully transferred.
Ibeke further disputed claims that customs duties arising from such transactions should be borne by buyers at a later stage, maintaining that the original importer remains responsible for meeting all customs obligations before disposal.
He cited provisions of the NCS Act and temporary import guidelines, contending that customs duties and related charges must be settled by the party that imported the containers under temporary admission.
The consultant also questioned what he described as Grimaldi’s delayed response to media reports regarding the alleged disposal of 2,500 containers, arguing that the company should provide details of any container sales conducted in Nigeria.
According to him, the shipping company should publicly disclose records relating to the disposal of containers, including details of buyers, customs documentation and evidence of duty payments.
Ibeke also raised concerns over reports that some transactions may have been denominated in foreign currency, noting that local transactions are expected to comply with relevant regulations governing payments within Nigeria.
He further called on the Nigeria Customs Service and other regulatory agencies to investigate the matter and ensure compliance with extant laws.
The consultant maintained that contractual arrangements between private parties could not override statutory obligations imposed by customs and other regulatory authorities.
He urged relevant authorities to obtain comprehensive records of all containers sold or disposed of in Nigeria and verify compliance with customs and fiscal regulations.
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