Customs Sensitises Importers On Vehicle Duty Regularisation

Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sensitised members of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) in Sokoto State on the need to use the opportunity of the 90-day window period for the regularisation of import duties on specific categories of vehicles.

The command’s comptroller, Kamal Mohammad, said the choice of AMDON members for the sensitisation workshop was in consideration of the critical role they play in the auto business.

Mohammed said the 90-day window period, which commenced on March 4, 2024, to July 5, 2024, is a service effort under the leadership of comptroller-general of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to enhance compliance.

“The 90-day period given to Nigerians to regularise vehicles without duty, which commenced on March 4, 2024, will lapse on July 5, 2024.

“We want you to make use of the windows, which is part of the efforts of the service under the leadership of Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale, aimed at enhancing compliance,” he stated.

Kamal further submitted that the restriction of vehicle importation through land borders is a government fiscal policy but promised to escalate the request of the AMDON on the lifting of the restrictions on land borders to the headquarters.

The participants were sensitised on the two categories of vehicles covered by the window period, which include vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to undervaluation, excluding vehicles seized and condemned.

Participants and other Nigerians intending to regularise import duties on their vehicles are expected to apply through a Customs licenced agent to any zonal coordinator (A, B, C, and D) with the necessary papers.

The chairman of the association, Alhaji Mansur Zagi, thanked the command for the workshop and assured that its members would seize the opportunity granted to them by the service.

He pleaded with the federal government to extend the magnanimity by lifting the restriction on the importation of vehicles through land borders.

He said, “The closure has caused untold hardship and loss of livelihood to hundreds working in the vehicle importation chain, thereby contributing to the insecurity in the North West.”