Delays in Customs Clearing Processes in Sub-Saharan African Port: An Analysis and Evaluation of the ‘Pre-Arrival Assessment Report’ (PAAR) Process at a Nigerian Seaport

Abstract

This paper focuses on the performance of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) process in reducing import clearance time in a Nigerian port between 2015-2017. Data consist of 10,577 import entries made to the Nigerian Customs by a leading import-export local transaction bank. Data were analysed using basic descriptive statistical tools. The result of the evaluation showed a progressive reduction in the time taken by the customs to process and issue PAAR. PAAR process time is the minimum import clearance lead time since without it clearance of imports would not be effected .