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TYPE OF CARGO AND REQUIREMENTS
There are two categories of goods for the purposes of this guideline:
(a) Merchandise and Raw Materials
(b) Personal Effects
it is no longer mandatory that the consignee engages the services of a registered Clearing and Forwarding Agent in respect of merchandise and raw materials. In such cases, the consignee may opt for self clearance as is the
case with personal effects, where the owner may clear the cargo when familiar with the clearing procedure.
BILL OF LADING
The consignor/shipper sends the Bill of Lading in advance of the arrival of the ship to the consignee/importer. This document contains the following vital information.
(a) The name of the ship carrying the goods
(b) The description of the goods along with their marks and numbers
(c) The date of departure from port of loading
(d) The weight of cargo
(e) The terms of contract of affreightment
FACILITIES AND INCENTIVES
The NPA provides various cargo handling equipment for both containers and general cargo. Roro facilities are available at the ports. Free storage period of six days from the last day of a ship’s completion of discharge are allowed for importers to clear their goods.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
- Ship Manifest is a summary of all Bills of Lading due for discharge at a particular port.
- Delivery Order is a printed form supplied by the NPA to shipping companies for purposes of delivery of goods to the rightful owners.
- Terminal Delivery Order is a document on the presentation of which a consignee or agent is authorised to take delivery of consignment at an NPA terminal, delivery point or shed.
It must be emphasised that carriage or cargo in excess of declaration on cargo manifest attracts sanction.
Claims, Processing and Disbursements
Shippers’ complaints or claims would be received at any of the Council’s Area, Port, Zonal Coordinating offices and the Head Office.
The Head Office is located in Lagos at 4, Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos and the Secretariat of the Fund is located at the same address. For the purpose of coordination of claims, the Fund has worked out an arrangement with the Council’s offices to receive complaints or claims promptly, since in principle, all claims would be processed by the Secretariat and presented before the Board of Trustees.
Services Provided Include:
- Legal / Technical Advice
- Loan to pursue Claims / Litigation / Arbitration
- Payment of Risk Management Services
- Foreign Legal Representation
- Cover for Specific Risks as Agreed
- Quality Information Services
- General Risk Management Advice
- To Convene Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum
Claims Approval Procedure
- Who is Entitled to Benefit From the Fund?
A registered Nigerian importer or exporter is entitled to benefit from the Fund so far as he meets the criteria set out by the Board of Trustees of Cargo Defence Fund. Beneficiaries may include individuals or private limited liability companies. A beneficiary may apply himself or request a legal practitioner or an agent to apply on his behalf and represent his interest.
- To Whom Should Claims be Addressed?
Claims should be addressed to the Management of Nigerian Shippers’ Council or to the Secretary of the Fund. Claims must be in writing, containing the date, place and details of transaction causing loss or damage and efforts made by claimant or shipper to remedy the situation.
- Particulars of Claim
(a) Name and address of claimant and or any representative
(b) Nature, place and date of transaction causing loss or damage
(c) Details of transaction and copies of contracts
(d) Efforts made to remedy loss or damage
(e) Amount of claim
(f) Costs of efforts to remedy loss
The Board of Trustees shall exercise discretion as to who may be entitled to benefit from the Fund. Payments or disbursements may cover costs, loss or damage or a proportion or percentage of same.
Settlements shall be dealt with promptly and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Fund. The Trustees have prepared a Claims Brochure, which would be made available on subscription to shippers and their representatives for guidance on matters affecting Cargo Defence Fund. The Trustees have also designed a Subscription Form, which would entitle you to become a member and enjoy all the services of the Fund on the payment of the appropriate registration fee. Other details would be provided to importers and exporters who indicate their interest to subscribe to Cargo Defence Fund.
How to Subscribe to The Fund
By completing the Cargo Defence Fund Subscription Forms and the payment of appropriate fees according to turnover:
| Category | Turn Over (=N=) | Fees (=N=) |
| A | 100,000,000
to 1,000,000,000 | 100,000 |
| B | 10,000,000
to 100,000,000 | 75,000 |
| C | 1,000,000
to 10,000,000 | 25,000 |
| D | Less than 1,000,000 | 15,000 |
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