The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday said has granted a month window to enable freight forwarders and clearing agents to clear all the backlog of vehicles held up in the ports due to the strike action embarked by agents recently. In a circular issued on Monday and signed by Assistant Compt. General, HK GUMM (T&T), the Customs said its decision was sequel to the recent Customs/Stakeholders townhall meeting held in Lagos on the VIN-valuation. It said the VIN valuation protocol is still in operation as reviews and updates are being captured in its system to reflect the adjustment.
The grace period for the clearing of vehicles, the customs said will starts from March 8, 2022. According to the cicular, area Controllers are expected to monitor this transition period and ensure manual assessments are in full compliance with extant laws. Details of the circular. “Sequel to the recent Customs/Stakeholders town hall meeting held in Lagos on the VlN-Valuation, the CGC having listened to public outcry, has graciously approved One (1) month window to enable clearing the backlog of vehicles held up in the ports as a result of the strike action. “Meanwhile, you are requested to ensure the uniform application of rebates for all vehicles using the correct values for your assessments. “The VlN-Valuation protocol is still in operation as reviews and updates are being captured in our system to reflect these adjustments. “Area Controllers are expected to monitor this transition period and ensure manual assessments are in full compliance with extant laws. “This grace period is for one (1) month, beginning from Tuesday Mar 8, 22. “You are to bring the contents of this circular to your Officers and the General public for their information and guidance, please.
Two weeks ago, clearing agents and freight forwarders operating at both Tin-Can Island and the Ports & Terminal Multipurpose Limited withdrawn their services from the two ports, thereby paralysing operations of the nation’s seaports. The agents were protesting the introduction of e-invoicing for all imports and exports by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), also threatened to extend the industrial action to all the ports in Lagos State, including Apapa, and Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, if their requests are not from global financial digest
