….Saves consignee Millions of Naira
….. ” Pay 50% and take delivery within 48 hours”……NSC
….”We appreciate. If not for NSC, we’ll abandon the cargo.”…Le Look Nig. Ltd
In continuation of its zeal to amicably resolve stakeholders disputes on Commercial Shipping, Maritime, Trade/Logistics Chains in the industry, the Complaints Unit of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council recently intervened and resolved a complaint of outrageous invoice of N4.2 Million meted on imported Raw Materials for School Bags belonging to Le Look Nig. Ltd from Shenzhen – China by a Groupage Company, Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Nigeria Ltd, Lagos.
Addressing the parties during a mediation meeting held at the NSC Headquarters, the Head, Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi – Mohammed, an Assistant Director, said : ”On behalf of Akutah Pius Ukeyima, MON, Esq, FCILT, Ph.D, we welcomed you to the Council. We are assuring you of fair and professional intervention in line with the International Principles of Alternative Disputes Resolutions (ADR) which we routinely adopt in our interventions.”
Dr. Ambi, who is the case handler and equally chaired the meeting, however gave a comprehensive statement of what transpired in line with what was reported to the Council.
”The Nigerian Shipper’s Council received a complaint from Le Look Nigeria Limited concerning outrageous charges on a groupage cargo billed by the service provider, Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Nigeria Ltd. The consignee was charged N180,000 per Cubic Meter for a cargo weighing 17.54 CBM totaling over 4.2 million naira. The claimant Le Look Nigeria pleaded with the service provider (fortune Global) to review the charges to enable them take delivery. The claimant further lamented that Fortune Global Logistics Ltd refused them accessed their cargo on arrival in Nigeria but they were asked to make payment first.”
” The cargo details as contained on the available documents are: Fabric Webbing hot Printing Machine Accessories, Container No: TCNU -7104390, Vessel Rotation No:01Ap/378, Unstuffing date:3rd April, 2025, House B/L No:SZPC25010586, Master B/L No: ONEYHKGF02183600, 9 pallets = 4014.500kgs / 17.535 Cubic Per Meter.”
The tripartite meeting asked the claimant (Le Look Nigeria Ltd) represented at the meeting by its Chairman, Chief, Mrs. C. F. Ezenwa, if what the case handler mentioned was in line with their grievances, she affirmed, ”yes, that is our Complaint.”
However, Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Company Nig. Ltd was represented at the meeting by their ”Less Container Load’ (LCL) Manager, Mr. O. Kingsley who informed the meeting that the claimant (Le Look) was not a direct customer and the booking was made by the shipper from Port of Origin in Shenzhen, China. He further explained that the cost is a summation of the shipping line charges, terminal fees, transportation to the warehouse, etc. “We have one of the biggest Warehouses with good modern automated facilities and this is another factor that affects our charges.” He maintained that customers are allowed to sight their shipments before making payments. We can support the consignee because of the NSC as an umbrella organization and within my level of authority, I can only give 10% waiver (N400,000) to the consignee.”
The Meeting critically studied the nomenclature and cost issued by de-consolidator in order to know if it contravened the Council’s approved rates and nomenclatures.
The Chairman of the meeting informed the parties that the NSC, “as unbiased umpire, do not intervene on waiver, but in situations where unguided charges are metted out in belligerentily, we address it.”
Fortune Global representative however requested for 24 hrs for internal consultation and revert to the Council on what to do.
The Chairman of the meeting queried if they read the 2nd to the last paragraph of the letter sent to them where it ”said officers that can be take decision (s) on behalf of your organization.” We can allow even more than 24 hours if you so wish, but take notice that going by our dispute resolutions mandate, all charges stops once a complaint is reported to NSC and under investigation, until such complaint is resolved. Which is why we avoid unnecessary delay.
Kingsley requested for a few minutes to enable him communicate with their Chairman who was reported to be outside the Country. He reached out to his principals including their chairman where he confirmed that Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Company Nig. Ltd granted ”50% deduction on the invoice issued out.”
Responding, the claimant, Le Look Nig. Ltd said. ”We appreciate the routine interventions of the Council. If not for the NSC, we would have abandoned the cargo because of the arbitrary changes. We don’t want to go out of business.”
After over hours of deliberation, and analysis in line with the NSC approved rates/nomenclatures, the following resolutions were reached, that:
(1) The Fortune Global is with immediate directed to visit the Market Analysis and Tariff Administration Division of the Regulatory Services Department of the Council in order to address curve on their cost for homogeneity and compliance. .
(2). The Claimant, been a Customs Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) is expected to make payment of N2.1 Million (50%) and take delivery within 48 hours.
(3). As an unbiased umpire, NSC appreciates Fortune Global for the 50% discount granted
(4). NSC urges the Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Ltd to allow consignees have first hand sighting of their consignments before clearance and delivery.
(5). NSC urges Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics Nig. Ltd as one of the AEO of the Customs (if not done) to register with the Consumer Affairs Department of the Council.
6). The Claimant, Le look Nigeria Ltd is encouraged to patronize Fortune Global for their future shipments.
Parties appreciates the NSC for the intervention which ended successfully.
