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Beer merchants panic over tax stamp policy, seeks solace from Customs

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
The proposed Tax Stamp policy of the Federal government has expectedly activated panic mode among beer industry leaders who have expressed anxiety of possible escalation in the production and consumer costs if the policy is eventually implemented.
Though, there is an ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and the government to manage the economic impact of the policy, the leaders of the brewing sector had sought more clarification on the policy from the Nigeria customs service when they engaged with the Comptroller- General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, May 11th, 2026.
The brewers have come to discuss the economic impact the proposed policy will have on their brewing business.
At the roundabout discussion, Adewale had emphasised the need for credible data, inclusive consultations and sustained stakeholder engagement in Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal and regulatory reforms.
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‎Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi stressed that policy decisions affecting strategic sectors of the economy must be guided by verifiable data and a clear understanding of prevailing market realities.
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“‎We need to have a clear understanding of what constitutes illicit trade. Some of these products are legitimately manufactured in Nigeria.
“In other jurisdictions,customs administrations are already engaging in discussions around how such products find their way across borders and into unauthorised markets” the CGC stated.
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‎He further underscored the importance of accuracy and credibility in industry data presented to policymakers, noting that sound policy formulation depends on reliable information.
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‎“One thing we need to understand more clearly is where some of these estimates came from.
“When we are making policy decisions of this nature, the credibility and accuracy of data must never be in doubt,” he added.
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‎Highlighting the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts, Adeniyi noted that the NCS has continued to introduce reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and enhancing operational efficiency across the supply chain.
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‎“We have consistently introduced initiatives aimed at facilitating trade. We introduced the Advance Ruling. We introduced the Authorised Economic Operator programme.
“We also rolled out several reforms on our own initiative, not because we were under pressure, but because we recognised the need to improve trade facilitation,” he said.
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‎On the proposed tax stamp initiative, the CGC clarified that consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing and that no final decision has been reached regarding implementation.
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‎“As far as I am concerned, consultations are still ongoing. If this initiative is legitimate and beneficial, then we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are heading in the right direction,” he stated.
‎He also encouraged private-sector operators to maintain constructive engagement with relevant government agencies to ensure that any eventual policy framework balances revenue protection with industrial sustainability and economic growth.
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‎Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma, said the visit was aimed at presenting the industry’s position on the proposed tax stamp framework, which he noted has generated considerable discussion within the sector.
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‎Sharma acknowledged the importance of regulatory controls but maintained that the beer industry remains one of the most structured and highly regulated sectors in Nigeria, with limited exposure to counterfeiting risks.
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‎“We fully understand the purpose and importance of tax stamps, particularly in industries where counterfeiting is a major concern.
“However, within the beer sector, counterfeiting is minimal,” Sharma said.
‎He noted that existing compliance and monitoring systems already provide adequate visibility across production and distribution channels.
‎“From an end-to-end compliance perspective, we believe there is already sufficient transparency and oversight,” he added.
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‎Sharma also highlighted the industry’s contribution to employment generation, government revenue and economic growth, cautioning that additional regulatory measures should be carefully designed to avoid unintended impacts on the sector and the wider economy.
The 2026 tax stamp policy in Nigeria is a regulatory, security-focused, and mandatory track-and-trace system imposed by the government on excisable goods—including alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages—to curb illicit trade and bolster revenue.
The policy, aimed at reducing smuggling and counterfeiting, requires high-security physical labels or digital codes to be affixed to products.
The policy applies to excisable products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, with specialized stamps for textile imports, such as the Red vs. Green stamps.
 Manufacturers must ensure compliance. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, compliance is required, and failure to stamp documents within 30 days can lead to severe penalties, including a 10% penalty fee plus interest.
While the government aims to enhance revenue, manufacturers, particularly in the brewing sector, have raised concerns that the policy could significantly diminish profitability and increase consumer prices, with potential to create 100% loss in profits if implemented as proposed.
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Customs

NCS intercepts container concealing pump-action rifle parts, seizes ₦373.8m worth of cannabis products at Tincan Port

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container concealing components of pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products with a combined street value of ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command in Lagos.

Announcing the seizures on Thursday, August 6th,2016, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the operations as a major breakthrough in the Service’s sustained campaign against the importation of prohibited items that pose serious threats to national security and public health.

Addressing journalists alongside representatives of other security agencies, Adeniyi said the seizures underscore the NCS’ unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders through intelligence-driven enforcement and enhanced risk management.

According to him, Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by the Service’s intelligence-based risk management system and placed under intensive surveillance before undergoing a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station.

The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.

The Customs boss disclosed that the recovered firearm components are currently undergoing comprehensive technical examination and inventory to determine their exact quantity and configuration.

Adeniyi further revealed that investigations extended beyond the seizure, leading to the arrest of one suspect on July 31, 2026, at the Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.

He explained that documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established the suspect’s connection with the named consignee, including a ₦10,000 payment traced to a company account linked to the consignee on the day of the arrest.

According to the CGC, two suspects are currently in Customs custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by security operatives.

In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused products cleverly concealed alongside two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.

The seized narcotic products include:
109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces, weighing 17.44kg, with a street value of ₦308,792,640.
125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs, weighing 515.2kg, valued at ₦40,700,000.

Others are 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies comprising 442 packs, weighing 309.4kg, with a street value of ₦24,310,000.

The total street value of the intercepted cannabis-infused products was put at ₦373,802,640.

Adeniyi noted that the interceptions demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate international trade channels to smuggle illicit arms and narcotic substances into the country.

He said the successful operations also validate the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems and robust collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies.

The Comptroller-General reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks engaged in smuggling, stressing that every individual connected to the illegal operations would be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“Nigeria’s ports will never serve as safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods,” Adeniyi declared.

He commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, professionalism and dedication, which culminated in the successful interceptions.

The CGC also acknowledged the continued support of sister security and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the nation’s borders.

Reassuring Nigerians of the Service’s commitment to its statutory mandate, Adeniyi said the Nigeria Customs Service would remain resolute in securing the nation’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods.

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support the fight against smuggling and transnational organised crime, adding that the Service would keep Nigerians informed as investigations progress and the prosecution of the suspects begins.

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Customs

Lilypond Export Command records $792.5m export value in three months, processes 5,510 containers

Funso Olojo, Editor

The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded exports valued at $792.5 million in the second quarter of 2026, processing a total of 5,510 export containers between April and June.

The Command’s export performance represented an increase of $192.9 million, or 24.35 per cent, compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

Disclosing the figures during a press briefing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi, said the impressive performance reflected the Command’s commitment to facilitating non-oil exports and supporting the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.

A breakdown of the quarterly performance showed that export transactions valued at $274.8 million were processed in April 2026, compared with $237.5 million in April 2025, representing an increase of $37.2 million or 13.55 per cent.

In May, export value rose to $275.9 million, up from $180.9 million recorded in the corresponding month of 2025.

This represented an increase of $94.9 million, translating to 34.40 per cent growth.

Similarly, exports processed in June stood at $241.8 million, compared with approximately $181 million recorded in June 2025, reflecting an increase of about $60.8 million or 25.15 per cent.

Comptroller Ariyibi also disclosed that the Command handled 5,510 export containers during the quarter, compared with 3,732 containers in the same period of 2025. This represents an increase of 1,778 containers, translating to 32.27 per cent growth in container throughput.

Agricultural products accounted for the largest share of exports during the period, with shipments valued at $422.09 million, up from $369.85 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

This represented an increase of about $52.24 million, underscoring the sustained growth of Nigeria’s agricultural export sector.

Manufactured goods ranked second among export commodities, rising significantly from $120.3 million in the second quarter of 2025 to about $350.67 million in the same period of 2026.

The increase of approximately $230.37 million highlights the growing contribution of value-added products to Nigeria’s export earnings.

In contrast, exports of solid minerals declined sharply from about $91.16 million in the second quarter of 2025 to about $7.18 million during the review period, a drop of nearly $84 million.

According to the Area Controller, the decline aligns with the Federal Government’s policy of promoting local value addition and domestic processing of mineral resources before export.

On revenue, the Command generated ₦95.26 million as the 2.5 per cent Export Surcharge, compared with ₦149.40 million generated during the corresponding period in 2025.

This represented a decline of ₦54.13 million, or 36.24 per cent.

However, collections under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) increased from ₦4.87 billion to ₦5.38 billion, representing a growth of approximately ₦512 million, or 9.52 per cent.

Speaking on the performance, Comptroller Ariyibi said:
“The impressive performance recorded during the second quarter of 2026 reflects the Command’s unwavering commitment to trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement, compliance enforcement, and the implementation of Federal Government policies aimed at boosting non-oil exports.

“The Lilypond Export Command remains resolute in its mandate to facilitate legitimate exports, improve operational efficiency, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth through increased non-oil export activities.”

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Customs management team for their visionary leadership and continuous support.

The Area Controller also commended exporters, licensed customs agents, partner government agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation, noting that their collaboration was instrumental to the Command’s strong second-quarter performance.

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Customs

FG exempts CNG, electric vehicles from Customs duty, VAT

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Federal Government has approved the exemption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and certain electric vehicles from the payment of Customs import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) as part of efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy and sustainable transportation.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced the implementation of additional guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance under the Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative, a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive to promote cleaner energy alternatives and expand the adoption of environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

Under the approved fiscal incentives, the importation of specified gas-powered and environmentally friendly vehicles, equipment, and components will enjoy exemption from both Import Duty and VAT.

Eligible items include 100 per cent Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, 100 per cent Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles, fully electric vehicles, Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) with a minimum pure electric driving range of 200 kilometres, as well as CNG and LPG conversion kits for petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.

The incentives also cover tricycles and motorcycles certified for resale by the Federal Ministry of Finance, in addition to semi-trailers equipped with skid-mounted CNG, LPG and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage tanks designed for gas distribution.

To benefit from the incentives, importers are required to obtain an Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements governing the importation of eligible products.

However, the fiscal framework excludes certain categories of vehicles and equipment from the duty and VAT waivers.

These include hybrid electric vehicles such as electric-petrol and electric-diesel variants, dual-fuel internal combustion engine vehicles configured for CNG/petrol or CNG/diesel operations, luxury vehicles valued at $100,000 and above, CNG vehicles converted overseas without factory-fitted CNG capability, semi-trailers and flatbeds that are not self-propelled, as well as spare parts of all categories.

According to the Nigeria Customs Service, the incentives are aimed at supporting the Federal Government’s broader objectives of reducing transportation and energy costs, encouraging investment in clean energy infrastructure, expanding the adoption of alternative fuel technologies, and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security while advancing environmental sustainability.

The Service reaffirmed that under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, it remains committed to the transparent and effective implementation of the fiscal incentives.

The NCS also urged importers, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders within the trade ecosystem to comply strictly with the approved guidelines and all relevant regulatory requirements in order to benefit from the policy.

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