NAN-H-79
Tariffs
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday says it has not increased duties on imported goods in all its commands across the country.
Mr Adeola Olayinka, Assistant Public Relations Officer, Tin-Can Island Port 2 Area Command, made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said what the Customs had done was to adopt the flexible exchange rate in all its transactions as against the old fixed rate of N197 to one U.S. dollar.
Olayinka said that complaints of duty being raised were unfounded, adding that the fact that more naira was now paid as duties did not translate into a hike.
“ The Nigeria Customs Service has not increased tariffs contrary to complaints in some quarters that it has hiked import duties.
“What we have done is to adopt the flexible exchange rate in the administration of duties in line with the Federal Government’s forex policy.
“Because of the present value of the Naira, some people believe they are paying more in Naira.
“For example, our duty on private vehicles remains 35 per cent.
“It is the exchange rate that determines what we now charge as import duties, so people need to be informed that that is not the same as tariff increase, “he said.
Olayinka said the customs had no powers to increase import duties but that of the Federal Government.
The spokesman said that rather than a hike, the government was contemplating a downward review of duties on imported goods to attract cargoes to Nigerian ports.
Olayinka urged stakeholders, especially freight forwarders and importers to show understanding on the issue, adding that the Customs was committed to promoting trade and interests of all its partners.
NAN reports that the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had recently complained of arbitrary hike in duties by the Customs.
The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr Stanley Ezenga, urged the Customs to stabilise the duty to ease operations of freight forwarders and curb inflation. (NAN)
BHB/JI/AJA
=========
(Editing by Joseph Idika and controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)