Customs
Customs grants N2.3trn duty waivers in 2021, generates N1.34trn revenue

The Nigerian Customs Service has given duty exceptions to importers to the tune of N2.3trillion in 2021, a 194.65 percent increase from the N779.74bn waivers granted in 2020.
The exemptions included Value Added Tax relief granted on imports, waivers and concessions on import duties, ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, surcharges, Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, as well as excise and levies.
These data are contained in the 2023 – 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.
Across the world, import duty waivers, exemptions, and concessions are used by governments to protect local businesses and jobs, but they can also be abused and become a major drain on the national economy.
Also, import duty waivers are vehicles to meet specific economic goals, especially in protecting local industries, creating jobs, and promoting exports.
A breakdown of the aggregate Customs’ exemption showed waivers on import duties were valued at N435.85bn, surcharge (7 percent of import duty) was N30.38bn, while Common External Tariff levy was N1.42tn.
Similarly, Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme was valued at N130.04bn; ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, N72.91bn; iron levy, N115,879; National Automotive Council levy, N41.39m; and VAT (import VAT), N208.24bn
The data revealed that the highest jump in aggregate Customs exemptions was in the Common External Tariff levy, which jumped from N223.99bn in 2020 to N1.42tn in 2021.
In 2020, import duty was N305.65bn, the surcharge was N21.29bn, the Common External Tariff levy was N223.99bn; the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme was N28.87bn, while ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme was N1.08bn.
Also, the iron levy was N113,776, the National Automotive Council levy was N1.08bn, and Import VAT was N179.60bn.
The report said, “The exemption applied to imported goods covered by diplomatic privileges, military hardwares, fuels and lubricants, hospital and surgical equipment, aircraft (their parts and ancillary equipment), plant and machinery imported for use by companies in export processing zones, health, and medical supplies to abate the spread of COVID.
“Other exemptions include reliefs on the presidential initiative on COVID-19 supplies, import duty, and VAT on commercial airlines. Estimating the tax expenditure on customs and VAT relief granted on imports was constrained by the quality of available data.
“Tax expenditure estimated based on the Nigerian tax reference system amounted to N1.95tn including N1.419tn from waivers of common external tariff levy, which constitutes 72.6 percent of all customs tax expenditures.
The report further revealed that petroleum products (fuels and lubricants) accounted for 46 percent of the N216.88bn import duty waiver granted.
In 2021, China accounted for nearly half of the total relief granted, with Singapore, Netherlands, Togo, Benin, and India among the other top countries benefiting from these reliefs.
Customs
Adeniyi, CGC, makes refresher course mandatory for officers ,matches them out on 5- kilometer fitness exercise in Abuja

Customs
Customs, UN agency collaborate to fight smuggling

“On behalf of the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service, I wish to inform you that we will partner with you in this campaign, and we will grant you all forms of support you may need to carry out this campaign — and I want to assign one of our amiable DCGs, Abba Kura, to work with you closely.”
He appreciated how they traveled from afar to inform the Nigeria Customs Service of their campaign against smuggling, which, according to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has already started yielding positive results in suppressing the menace of smuggling.
The CGC also welcomed Dr Raymond’s offer to engage officers and men of the Service in capacity—building to enhance their understanding of digital literacy skills, adding that the Service has already started embracing technology to advance its work by introducing related courses to officers.
The CGC appreciated the collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and UN—Habitat and believes that the collaboration signifies a commitment to tackling smuggling and enhancing trade facilitation in the nation, setting the stage for a more prosperous future.
He also appreciated their pledge to train officers and men of the Service in digital literacy skills, assuring that the Service will continue to prioritize proficiency in the fight against smuggling through a technological approach.
He underscored the importance of digital skills, promising that the relevant Service department will enhance trade facilitation.
On his part, the Director of UN—Habitat, Dr. Raymond Edoh, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reposing the responsibility of heading the Nigeria Customs Service on the Acting Comptroller-General, describing him as “a competent Customs officer who knows the terrain and masters the job.”
According to him, they decided to visit the Ag. CGC at the Customs Headquarters to express their interest in partnering with the Service.
He appreciated the Service for being a “gatekeeper of the country” that protects citizens against border threats, stressing that his organization will collaborate with NCS to mitigate the smuggling of illicit goods and train officers and men of Customs on digital literacy skills and certification.
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for developing urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and promote viable urban development and adequate shelter for all.
Customs
MARAN raises alarm over continued depreciation of Customs’ N180 billion boats on Lagos Marina waters —- calls on CGC Adeniyi to deploy the assets

-
Freight Monitor1 month ago
Freight Forwarders threaten to shut down ports over alarming rate of extortions by maritime police.
-
Headlines3 months ago
Mass retirement hits Army, Navy, Air Force as Defence Headquarters issues quit notice to senior officers
-
Customs3 weeks ago
Shake-up in Customs as Apapa, Tin Can, Seme, KLT commands get new Area Controllers
-
Headlines3 months ago
NPA, Shippers’ Council on collision course over dollarisation of barge operations
-
Headlines4 weeks ago
Too many people are after my job in NIMASA—-Jamoh cries out, explains reasons for malicious campaign against him
-
Headlines2 months ago
Fuel price rises as NNPCL adjusts pump price to N568 in Lagos, N617 in Abuja