Nigeria Customs Service Announces 90-Day Window for Import Duty Regularization on Vehicles

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the directive of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has introduced a 90-day window for the regularization of import duties on specific categories of vehicles.

This initiative aims to streamline import processes and ensure compliance with customs regulations.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the initiative applies to vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to undervaluation.

Maiwada clarified that vehicles seized and condemned would not be released under this arrangement and would be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with extant regulations.

Vehicle owners, importers, and agents seeking to regularize import duties on their vehicles are required to apply to the Zonal Coordinators (Zones A, B, C, D) and CAC FCT Command.

They must submit the necessary documents and process Vehicle Registration (Vreg) in line with directives from the Federal Ministry of Finance for the registration of imported motor vehicles.

The valuation and assessment of vehicles will be carried out using the VIN valuation method, and import duty and a 25 per cent penalty must be paid in accordance with import guidelines, procedures, and documentation requirements for used vehicles under the Destination Inspection Scheme in Nigeria (2013) and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Duty payments must be made using the Procedure Code specifically created for this exercise.

The statement emphasized the Customs Service’s commitment to facilitating compliance and encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of this opportunity within the stipulated timeframe.