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Grimaldi Agency Nigeria has dismissed allegations that it bears responsibility for customs duties arising from the sale of empty shipping containers, insisting that reports suggesting otherwise misrepresent both the nature of the transactions and the contractual terms governing them.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the company also refuted claims that it sold 2,500 empty containers, describing the figure as inaccurate and unsupported by available records.
According to Grimaldi, the containers in question were sold strictly under their international customs classification, commonly known as a “foreign customs position,” and were never transferred as domesticated assets intended for local use within Nigeria.
The company explained that the terms of the transaction were clearly stipulated in the sale documentation, which specified that the containers would retain their foreign customs status after purchase. Buyers were required to use the containers exclusively for international cargo operations without altering their customs designation.
Grimaldi further stated that the sales agreements expressly provided that any subsequent decision to regularise, domesticate, or convert the containers for local use would be the sole responsibility of the purchaser, including all associated costs, duties, taxes, and regulatory obligations.
The agency noted that the arrangement aligns with long-standing international shipping practices, where containers sold in foreign customs status are routinely acquired by exporters, freight operators, and logistics companies as Shipper-Owned Containers (SOC) for use in global trade.
Under such arrangements, the containers continue to participate in international commerce without any change to their customs classification, the company said.
Grimaldi emphasized that customs liabilities arise only when a buyer elects to convert the equipment for domestic applications such as storage, construction, or other local commercial uses that require customs domestication under Nigerian regulations.
“In such circumstances, responsibility rests with the party changing the status and use of the equipment, namely the purchaser,” the company stated.
The shipping firm maintained that any customs duties, taxes, levies, or related charges resulting from a buyer’s decision to domesticate the containers cannot be transferred to the seller, as such obligations stem from actions taken after ownership has changed hands.
Reaffirming its compliance record, Grimaldi said its container sales and shipping operations have consistently been conducted in accordance with established international maritime standards, industry best practices, and the contractual agreements entered into with customers.
The company added that the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of all parties involved were clearly defined from the outset and remain fully consistent with globally accepted principles governing international container transactions.
