Customs Clarifies enforcement action on vessel Discharging PMS without clearance at Tincan island Port
Customs Clarifies Enforcement Action on Vessel Discharging PMS Without Clearance at Tin Can Island Port
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, has clarified its enforcement action on the vessel _MT NY Maria_ for discharging Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) without requisite Customs clearance at the MRS Terminal, Dantata Jetty.
According to the Command, officers of the Boarding and Rummaging Unit boarded the vessel on 23 May 2026 upon arrival from Dangote Refinery to conduct routine documentation and compliance checks under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. The vessel was found lacking complete documentation, specifically the mandatory Last Port Clearance from the port of origin.
The agent was given a two-day grace period to provide the outstanding document, while the vessel was lawfully sealed and placed under Customs control pending compliance.
On 27 May 2026, the Command said it received intelligence that the vessel had commenced discharge operations without clearance and while still under official Customs seal. Officers who mobilized to the terminal encountered resistance from security personnel at the facility but gained lawful access. The ship master was directed to halt the unauthorized discharge and report to the Enforcement Unit to make a statement. The vessel was resealed in line with procedure.
The NCS stressed that the ship master was not arrested but was only invited for statements as part of ongoing investigations.
The Service cited Sections 30 to 35 of the NCS Act, 2023, which empower officers to enforce Customs controls, inspections, and verification within Customs Control Zones. It noted that discharging PMS without clearance while under Customs seal violated Sections 46 to 58 of the Act relating to reporting, declaration, presentation, and release of goods.
Sections 212, 222, 223, 225, and 226 of the Act also grant officers authority to board, inspect, detain, and enforce compliance on vessels and cargoes in Customs-controlled areas. Investigations into the incident, including acts of obstruction, are ongoing.
“The NCS remains firmly committed to facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring strict compliance with national fiscal, trade, and security regulations,” the statement read. “No vessel, terminal operator, shipping company, or individual is above the law.”
The Service urged the public to rely on verified information from official channels and avoid amplifying misleading narratives that could undermine lawful enforcement and public confidence.
