Despite the rise of scanners, physical inspections still happen—especially for new importers or high-risk goods. In 2026, the process is strictly coordinated via the B’Odogwu platform to ensure transparency and prevent extortion.
The Day of Inspection: A Timeline
- Positioning: Your agent requests the terminal to “position” the container at the examination bay.
- Seal Breaking: A Customs officer verifies the seal number against the Bill of Lading before breaking it.
- The Joint Team: Representatives from Customs, NDLEA, SON, and NAFDAC (if applicable) gather. They use a single tablet to log findings directly into the National Single Window.
- The 10% or 100% Rule: Depending on the risk level, they may only check the first two rows (10%) or empty the entire container (100%).
The ‘B’Odogwu’ Live Report
In 2026, officers take live photos of the goods and upload them to the system in real-time. This prevents “negotiated” reports. If the goods match the Packing List, the “Release” is triggered digitally on the spot.
Conclusion
The key to a fast inspection is organization. Ensure your container is loaded exactly as your packing list describes. For more on the tech behind this, read our 2026 Declaration Guide.