Customs suspends VIN valuation implementation… gives 30days grace period for clearance of vehicles backlog
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday granted one-month period of grace beginning from Tuesday 8 March, 2022, for importers to clear the backlog of vehicles trapped at the nation’s seaports due to clearing agents’ protests against the implementation of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation.
In a statement, Spokesman of the NCS, DC Timi Bomodi, said that the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) graciously approved the one month window following the recent customs/stakeholders town hall meeting held in Lagos on VIN-Valuation, having listened to public outcry.
Bomodi, however, informed that uniform application of rebates would be used for all vehicles using correct values for assessment during the exercise.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the VIN-Valuation protocol is still in operation as reviews and updates are being captured in our systems to reflect the genuine concerns of stakeholders.
“As a responsive and responsible agency, Nigeria Customs Service will sustain its consultations with stakeholders in line with Article 2 of WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement for a smoother customs stakeholders’ relationship,” he said.
According to the statement, the one month starts from Tuesday 8th March, 2022.
For the records, the customs agents had taken to protests in the last one week, against the implementation of the VIN valuation, leaving over 12,000 vehicles trapped at the Tin-can Island and PTML port terminals.
