Nahimat Adekoga
The Federal Government on Monday said it has banned the importation of vehicles through the land borders with effect from January 1, 2017.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) said the prohibition orders covers all new and used vehicles.
NCS in the statement signed by its spokesman, Wale Adeniyi said the ban is sequel to a Presidential Directive restricting all vehicle imports to Nigeria Sea Ports only. The order takes effect from 1st January 2017.
“Importers of vehicles through the land borders are requested to utilize the grace period up till 31st December 2016 to clear their vehicle imports landed in neighbouring Ports,” it said.
RtThe Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) in October said he was standing by for orders from Presidency to ban vehicles importation through land borders by 2017.
He had argued during the oversight visit of the Senate Committee on Customs to the Service headquarters in Abuja that the ban would curb smuggling along the nation’s borders.
By implication, clearing vehicles at the seaports implies that the prevailing tariff regime since 2014 will now be fully implemented. It requires importers to pay 35 per cent duty, five per cent VAT, one per cent inspection levy and seven per cent port surcharge for used vehicles, Nigeria’s Common External Tariff (CET) indicates.
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