The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued a revised guidelines for the advanced cargo declaration regime.
NUPRC, in a statement on Wednesday said the review endorsed by the Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, apply to all licences and leases granted or preserved under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, covering crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and petroleum products exported from all terminals and export points in Nigeria.
The Commission said under the revised regime, exporters must obtain an export permit, vessel clearance and a Unique Identification Number (UIN) through the NUPRC’s online platforms before any shipment.
The Commission also disclosed it would validate the identity of exporters and verify export volumes before issuing clearance notifications, which would be embedded with a UIN for tracking.
NUPRC, according to the new guidelines, said all relevant export documents, including the Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin and cargo manifest, must reference the UIN, ensuring traceability and compliance.
The NUPRC’s Advance Cargo Declaration Portal is a real-time, technology-driven system that integrates seamlessly with other government export systems, allowing for real-time tracking and reconciliation of crude oil exports, immediate upload of export documentation within 24 hours of cargo loading and enhanced data integrity and transparency across the export chain.
The guidelines empower the NUPRC to refuse vessel clearance applications that are incomplete, inadequately documented, or contain false information.
The Commission warned that exporters found to be in violation may face administrative fines and sanctions, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to regulatory compliance and sector integrity.
Engr. Komolafe, was quoted to have pointed out that the initiatives align with the Commission’s mandate to maximise government revenues, minimise waste and ensure optimal regulatory oversight in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.
He noted that the new system is part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and curb losses due to theft and under-reporting.
“The new guidelines represent a significant step toward a more transparent, accountable and efficient oil export regime in Nigeria.
“By leveraging technology, robust validation and strict documentation protocols, the Commission is addressing long-standing challenges of opacity, losses and inefficiency in the sector,” the statement said.
