In an effort to enhance compliance and streamline import processes, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has announced a 90 day window period for the regularization of import duties on vehicles.
National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Sunday said the 90 days window was only applied to imported vehicles whose customs duty requirements are yet to be fulfilled and vehicles detained due to under-valuation.
He stressed that vehicles seized and condemned will not be released under this arrangement and shall be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with extant regulations.
“All vehicle owners, Importers/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.
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“They must submit the necessary documents and process Vreg in line with the Federal Ministry of Finance directives for the registration of imported motor vehicles,” the statement partly read.
Maiwada however disclosed that valuation and assessment of the vehicles will be carried out using the VIN valuation method in addition to the payment of Import Duty and a 25% penalty in tandem with the import guidelines.
He said these procedures and documentation requirements for used vehicles are entrenched in the Destination Inspection Scheme in Nigeria 2013 and the NCS Act 2023, adding that duty payments must be made using the Procedure Code specifically created for this exercise.
While calling on stakeholders to seize the opportunity within the stipulated time frame, Maiwada said the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to facilitating compliance.
