Grimaldi Denies Sale Of 2,500 Containers

Grimaldi Agency Nigeria has denied reports alleging that Grimaldi Deep Sea S.p.A. sold 2,500 empty shipping containers and was responsible for the payment of Customs Duties arising from the transaction.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the company described claims that it sold 2,500 containers as false and unsupported by facts, and clarified that any customs duties or related charges associated with the domestication of the containers are the responsibility of the purchaser.

According to the agency, the containers sold were transferred strictly under their international Customs status, commonly referred to as a “Foreign Customs Position,” and were not intended for local use in Nigeria.

The company explained that the terms governing the transaction were clearly stated in the sales documentation provided to the buyer.

The invoice, it said, expressly indicated that the containers were being sold in foreign Customs position and were to be used solely for international carriage of goods without any alteration to their customs classification.

Grimaldi further noted that the sales agreement stipulated that where local Customs regulations required the containers to be regularised or domesticated for local use, the responsibility for carrying out such procedures, including all associated costs, rested entirely with the purchaser.

The agency stated that the arrangement is consistent with established international shipping practices, where containers sold in foreign Customs status are often acquired by traders, exporters and logistics operators for use as Shipper Owned Containers (SOC) in international trade.

Under this framework, the containers can continue to operate in international commerce without any change to their customs status. The company stressed that Customs obligations generally arise only when a buyer decides to convert the equipment for domestic purposes such as storage, construction projects or other local applications requiring domestication under applicable customs regulations.

“In such circumstances, responsibility rests with the party changing the status and use of the equipment, namely the purchaser,” the statement said.

Grimaldi Agency Nigeria maintained that any Customs duties, taxes, levies or related charges resulting from a buyer’s decision to domesticate the containers cannot be attributed to the seller, as such obligations arise after the completion of the sale transaction.

The company reaffirmed that Grimaldi Deep Sea S.p.A. has consistently conducted its operations in line with international shipping standards, industry best practices and the contractual terms agreed with its customers.

It added that the responsibilities and obligations relating to the transaction were clearly defined from the outset and remain consistent with established principles governing international container trade.