Importation to Nigeria- On Air cargo, On Sea Cargo. Ocean shipping, Freight rates,: HOW TO AVOID CHALLENGES MOST IMPORTERS FACE WITH CLEARING AGENTS IN NIGERIA

Air Freight and Sea Freight

CHALLENGES MOST IMPORTERS FACE WITH CLEARING AGENTS IN NIGERIA

Most importers, including those sending their personal belongings to Nigeria face numbers of challenges in trying to clear their shipment in Nigeria.

The twin recent rifts between Freight Agents and other constituted establishments, including Nigerian Customs service has revealed some of these challenges that importers and baggage senders are facing in the hands of some Freight agents in Nigeria.

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During these two rifts, I received phone calls and emails from around the World, from people with different challenges. Most of their (Callers and e-mailers) complains POINTED at;

a. Delay in clearance process by their agents

b. Lack of transparency by their agents

c. Story of Intrigues

d. Suspicion

e. Lack of expertise

f. Lack of access to related information and communication (this will be the focus of today’s Tips for you)

Before going into the core of today’s tips, let’s read the most recent phone call as at this morning(July 3rd at 9.24 am) from one entrepreneur, Jane Odegha of Pharmahuz, who has imported her goods into Nigeria from U.S.A.….

“Hello good morning! Are you Mr. Adetayo George of valuehandlers (my answer was yes, followed by greetings and introduction). Please it’s been two weeks now that my goods are waiting at Lagos Cargo section without clearance, and my agent has been giving me different stories. Please what can you do to assist me, as I have heard good comments about you from people. Though I have not been visiting the internet on this, it was when I got to the internet that I saw wealth of information you provided. Please what is the matter with Nahco and what can you do to help me in order to get my goods cleared?” (That’s her major point that expressed challenges in clearing of her goods)

I asked her a few questions which further gave me insight into the challenges she’s facing.

She was not getting information as an investor, or as an importer, who also needs to provide her customers some facts, at least to protect her image and that of her Business.

Now let’s talk about which related Information and communication are vital in building confidence in the minds of our customers and prospects!

Information and Communication: It’s important that importers and business owners have access to steady information about the industry where he or she has stake, or where he or she operates. Getting useful content, rich text information is vital for value owners/handlers. It will not only build good relationship, but it will reduce fear of loosing investment, and make customer trust in your ability as freight agent, or even as business owners.

Recommended information you need to communicate your Customers always are:

1. What could delay delivery of your products or services in the next day

2. What is presently going on in your industry

3. Which staff to talk with for urgent inquiry

4. What changes are going on within your industry

5. What is the new policy that Government is introducing

6. Which department or section is down tooling in your industry, and why?

7. Any change in price of your commodity / service

8. Solve other “problem statements” that you feel will help your associate/customers to achieve their business goals.

Thanks for reading!

Written and posted by:

Geokaz Global Nigeria
.................Doing Business as................
VHI Cargo Ltd