The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the cancellation of the import declarations it made during the initial implementation of the suspension of the 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) charge on imports.
According to a statement on Monday by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the measure is necessary to ensure clarity, maintain consistency in customs operations, and prevent any disruptions in clearance processes.
TheFact Daily recalls that the NCS had, on February 11th, announced the suspension of the implementation of 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imports as provided in Section
18(1)(a) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCSA) 2023. This came a week after the Service announced the implementation of the 4% charge, describing the development as essential in driving its effective operation, and giving assurances to trading members of the public that “extensive consultation was ongoing with the Federal Ministry of Finance to address all agitations raised by our esteemed stakeholders”.
Maiwada in the statement urged affected importers, customs agents, and stakeholders to, as a matter of necessity, recapture their declarations to proceed with the clearance of their goods.
“In addition, all stakeholders affected are urged to promptly recapture their entries through the designated customs processing platforms. The NCS has put measures in place to ensure this process is seamless. Customs Commands nationwide have been directed to provide the necessary assistance and clarifications to importers and agents requiring support during this period”, he stated.
While averring its continued steadfastness in its commitment to implementing government fiscal policies in alignment with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 through robust consultation and dialogue with all stakeholders, as the Service added that, “the decision to cancel previous declarations and give room for recapturing is part of the Service’s broader effort to be a public-centric organisation that ensures efficient service delivery”.
Maiwada maintained that the NCS remains committed to demonstrating openness and transparency in its engagements with stakeholders, while encouraging traders to “take advantage of this opportunity to avoid any further delays in the clearance of their consignments”.
