By Isaac Anumihe
Following the new policy approved by the Federal Government for Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), vehicle dealers in the country have been given 28 days to pay duty after clearing their cars from the ports.
This is against the old practice where dealers paid duty on their cars before taking them from the ports.
Similarly, customs also announced its plans to issue licences for the establishment of Inland bonded vehicle terminals across the country.
In a statement, the service spokesman, Joseph Attah, said that besides boosting the economy, the policy will equally increase commercial activities.
He noted that the new regime of car holding which is coming after the ban on the importation of vehicles through the land borders will boost auto businesses, strengthen national economy and security.
Apart from removing the burden of duty payment at the ports of discharge from the operator, there will be many positive multiplier effects like spare parts shops, mechanic villages, food vendors and many more springing up around such terminals. He added that full customs functions of examination, assessment for value and prevention of smuggling through any form of concealment in vehicles will not be compromised under the new regime.
Operators will be allowed to take delivery of their vehicles to their terminals under customs escort and pay duty within a 28-day grace period.
He noted that Customs will only approach the dealers for duty payment at the expiration of the 28 days period after operators had made sales from imported cars at their bonded terminals.
The spokesman stated that for ease of duty collection and security, the customs will maintain presence inside the terminals while the bills of laden will indicate actual terminals where the imported vehicles will be transferred to and will make for easy evacuation from the ports to the designated terminals. He said that unlike previous methods of collecting duties on vehicles before they exited the ports which posed risks of congestion, the new regime will feature a seamless transfer of cars from the ports to bonded terminals.