Customs
Customs reintroduces revised VIN policy in May.

–—-as freight forwarders end VIN war with Customs
Eyewitness reporter
The much-vilified Vehicles Identification Number (VIN) valuation policy has now been reconfigured and reinvigorated and set to be relaunched by the Nigeria Customs Service next month.
This followed a wide consultation made by the Customs’ management with relevant stakeholders, especially the representatives of the warring five accredited freight forwarding associations which culminated in the new version of the VIN policy.
The Nigeria Customs Service made this known in a stakeholders’ meeting held at Customs headquarters in Abuja.
Stakeholders from ANLCA, NAGAFF, Association of Auto Dealers of Nigeria and others were invited to get a first-hand look at the reviewed version of the VIN valuation process which incorporates all their observations and reflects discounted values consistent with the make and models of all vehicles in the system.
It could be recalled that the initial introduction of the policy in February elicited an uproar among the freight forwarders who protested what they called the arbitrary and unrealistic valuation method of the policy.
This uproar, which led to strike action by the agitating customs brokers, made the customs to hastily suspend the controversial valuation policy to get more input from the stakeholders.
Following their complaints, and in line with Article 2 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (RTD) deemed it necessary to send a delegation comprising two members of management, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Hamza Gumi and, Saidu Galadima to engage stakeholders in a town hall meeting in Lagos.
This occasion provided stakeholders with the opportunity for airing their grievances and the articulation of possible solutions that will meet the expectations of all parties.
The outcome of the town hall meeting held in Lagos led to an approval for a 30-day moratorium by the Comptroller General of Customs.
This gave room for a review of the VIN valuation protocol, aimed at incorporating all their observations while allowing for the manual release of vehicles in the interim.
During the meeting at the Customs Headquarters, Comptrollers Import/Export Musa MBA and Valuation Anthony Udenze stressed the importance of transparency and honesty in declarations made by agents and importers.
They appreciated the efforts of the associations in articulating the concerns of their members and stressed the need to inform them of the progress made so far.
Meanwhile, Customs National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi also stated that the Service is interested in the enhancement of the user experiences of all its stakeholders and the improvements in the VIN Valuation protocol serve as a testament to that claim.
While responding to Bomodi, a representative of one of the associations, Kayode Farinto, who is the Vice President of ANLCA, expressed delight as to the final result of the review.
He appealed for constant engagement between NCS and stakeholders to reduce the likelihood of conflicts in the future.
Our reporter gathered that the new revised VIN valuation protocol has incorporated 10 percent depreciation level of vehicles, which was part of the grievances of the customs brokers.
It is expected that the policy will be reviewed as at when due to reflect the new realities of market dynamics in vehicles imports.
Some of the customs brokers who spoke to our reporter however appealed to the customs management to allow the new revised VIN policy reflect accident and salvage vehicles valuation into the policy.
The Nigeria Customs Service has however promised that stakeholders will be satisfied with the new VIN valuation policy as it has incorporated their ideas and suggestions.
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Customs
We feel your pains — Customs seeks support of stakeholders over introduction of 4 percent levy on customs operations

Customs
ANLCA divided over increment in CISS fee

Funso OLOJO
“I, however, know that the increment is backed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. The increment is in the Act. That is where they brought it from” Emenike declared.
“The increment started today. NECOM will be meeting very soon to take a stance on the new development.”, the ANLCA high Chief stated.
“All the freight forwarding associations would have to come together on this matter” Oduntan thundered .
Customs
Customs plans to integrate B’ Odogwu with National Single Window for transparency , operational efficiency

– eyes less than 48- hour cargo clearance time at port.

“The partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Trade Modernization Project Limited has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward.
She praised the efforts, commitment and resilience Comptroller-General of Customs , Adewale Adeniyi and DCG Adeola for the modest success the new concept has so far recorded.
Dr Ajijola emphasized that B’Odogwu; the newly introduced unified customs system, represents “strength and resilience” and is a homegrown solution that positions Nigeria as a leader in trade facilitation.
“Our goal is not just to modernize customs operations in Nigeria but to create a model that will be adopted across Africa and beyond,” she added
She disclosed that stakeholders are the core components of the project which, if well harnessed, would drive the success of the concept.
” That is why our management at the Trade Modernisation Project Limited emphasized the importance of stakeholders in this new concept and we believe that if we can achieve 80 per
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