Matthew Otoijagha
Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, has directed that forthwith, consignees must ensure that the names, quantity and description of goods on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), a Customs mandatory document for clearing goods at the port, tally with the one on the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form, bill of lading and airway bills.
Ali, in a circular dated January 4, 2019 expressed concern over increasing cases of discrepancies on consignee’s name on the PAAR, SGD and bill of lading despite three previous circulars to that effect.
The circular titled “Re: Discrepancy Between Consignees Name on SGD, PAAR and System Manifest/Bill of Lading” was signed by Deputy Comptroller-General, Tariff and Trade, Isa Talatu on behalf of the Comptroller-General.
The circular reads in part: “The CGC has observed with dismay and great concern increasing cases of discrepancies on consignee’s name on the PAAR, SGD and bill of lading despite three previous circulars to that effect.
“Manifest amendment must be done in accordance with the extant guidelines and any observed discrepancy must be referred to the Area Controller, who will direct 100 percent inspection and seek for further directives from the DCG, Tariff and Trade. Note that this reminder supersedes the three previous circulars.”