Lagos, Nigeria — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a consignment of expired industrial raw materials valued at ₦36.5 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) after intercepting the goods at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) in Lagos.
The seizure was made during routine cargo examination, reinforcing Customs’ ongoing efforts to block the entry of expired, unsafe, and falsely declared imports into Nigeria.
Details of the Seized Container
According to the KLT Command, the seized shipment was contained in a 20-foot container carrying 440 bags of expired raw materials, each weighing 25 kilograms. The goods were identified as triple-pressed stearic acid, a substance commonly used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, rubber production, and food-related manufacturing.
The materials were reportedly imported from Indonesia, but Customs officials said they had exceeded their approved shelf life, making them unfit for use and a potential public health and industrial safety risk.
Speaking on the development, the Acting Customs Area Comptroller, Bolaji Adigun, said the interception was in line with Customs’ mandate to enforce import regulations and protect Nigerians from harmful products.
“This seizure underscores our firm resolve to prevent expired and substandard raw materials from entering the Nigerian market,” Adigun stated.
Public Health and Regulatory Concerns
Stearic acid, when expired or improperly stored, can compromise the quality of finished consumer products, especially in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Regulators warn that such materials can lead to product contamination, consumer harm, and regulatory violations if allowed into circulation.
By transferring the seized goods to NAFDAC, Customs said it was ensuring that the materials are handled in line with health, safety, and environmental disposal standards.
Another Container Seized for False Declaration
In a related enforcement operation, Customs officers at Joliz Terminal, also within the Lagos port corridor, intercepted a 40-foot container that had been falsely declared.
The container was listed in shipping documents as carrying zipped luggage, but a physical examination revealed it contained empty suitcases, with an estimated value of ₦5 million.
Customs described the act as a deliberate attempt to circumvent import regulations, evade proper assessment, or potentially facilitate smuggling.
Customs Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Policy
Adigun stressed that the seizures reflect the Nigeria Customs Service’s zero-tolerance policy toward:
- Smuggling
- False declaration
- Importation of expired or substandard goods
- Trade-related fraud
He added that sustained enforcement actions and inter-agency collaboration remain critical to securing Nigeria’s ports and supply chains.
“Our partnership with sister agencies like NAFDAC is key to safeguarding public health, protecting local industries, and ensuring full compliance with import laws,” he said.
Wider Implications for Importers
The development serves as a warning to importers and clearing agents that routine checks are becoming more rigorous, particularly at Lagos ports, which handle the bulk of Nigeria’s imports.
Industry analysts note that increased scrutiny aligns with federal government efforts to:
- Improve port compliance
- Strengthen consumer protection
- Reduce the circulation of unsafe industrial inputs
- Boost confidence in locally manufactured goods
As investigations continue, Customs authorities say additional seizures and sanctions may follow if violations are uncovered.