The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has announced an extension of the verification exercise aimed at recovering import duties on privately-owned aircraft that were illegally imported.
Initially set to conclude on Monday, 14th October, the deadline has now been extended by an additional month to Thursday, 14th November. This extension is intended to accommodate aircraft operators who have indicated a desire to regularize their import duties. By providing this additional time, the NCS seeks to ensure compliance with legal regulations, enhancing transparency and accountability within the aviation sector.
The NCS urges private aircraft operators to seize this extended window to meet the necessary legal obligations and avoid the penalties associated with non-compliance. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to upholding the laws regarding import duties and maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The Customs Service also expressed appreciation for the ongoing cooperation from stakeholders in this process, emphasizing its focus on fostering a law-abiding and transparent aviation environment.
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Recall that the Federal Government, through the NCS, had disclosed plans to ground more than 60 privately-owned jets belonging to prominent individuals over unpaid import duties, which were said to total several billions of naira. This action followed months of unaddressed tax obligations by many jet owners in the country.
The NCS had earlier carried out a verification exercise for private jet owners from June to July, giving operators a window to regularize their import duties. Despite the conclusion of the exercise almost three months ago, it is believed that a significant number of private jet owners are yet to fully comply, prompting the government to take decisive action.
Unconfirmed sources suggest that most of the private jets currently operating in Nigeria have unresolved import duty issues, which has led the NCS to intensify efforts to recover the billions of naira owed in taxes. This move underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing customs regulations and recovering revenue lost through tax evasion in the aviation sector.
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