Confusion persists as Customs confirms vehicle import duty now 20%

Importers of new and used vehicles are now paying 20 per cent as duty to the coffers of the government, the Nigeria Customs Service has said.

The confirmation came on Monday after importers and clearing agents had cried out that they were still paying the old rate of 35 per cent as import duty even when the NCS had announced the slash.

In a statement signed by spokesman for the Customs, Timi Bomodi, the agency said that the 20 per cent duty was for both used and new imported vehicles.

In a statement signed by spokesman for the Customs, Timi Bomodi, the agency said that the 20 per cent duty is for both used and new imported vehicles.
The statement read in part, “On Friday, the 1st of April 2022, the Nigeria Customs Service migrated from the old version of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2017- 2021) to the new version (2022- 2026). This is in line with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) five years review of the nomenclature. The contracting parties are expected to adopt the review based on regional considerations and national economic policy.
“The nation has adopted all tariff lines with few adjustments in the extant CET. As allowed for in Annex II of the 2022-2026 CET edition, and in line with the Finance Act and the National Automotive policy, NCS has retained a duty rate of 20 per cent for used vehicles as was transmitted by ECOWAS with a NAC levy of 15 per cent. New vehicles will also pay a duty of 20 per cent with a NAC levy of 20 per cent as directed in the Federal Ministry of Finance letter ref. no. HMF BNP/NCS/CET/4/2022 of 7th April 2022.
“It is instructive to note that domestic fiscal policy on the importation of motor vehicles and other items is targeted at growing the local economy in these sectors. The focus of NCS is on the implementation of these policies in the hope that it achieves its desired objectives in line with the National Automotive Policy and other fiscal policies of the government.
“The NCS has also activated the use of Chapters 98 and 99 of the CET, in accordance with WCO recommendation for national use by contracting parties, which in our case promotes industrialisation through sectoral and sub-sectoral incentives for members targeted at economic growth, enhancement of security and minimized consumption of unwholesome goods.
“It should also be noted that the automotive industry, bonafide assemblers, manufacturers of auto spare parts and other local manufacturers enhance technology transfer and skill acquisition, create jobs and increase per capita income.
“In Chapter 98 of the current CET – bonafide assemblers importing Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi Knocked Down (SKD) are to enjoy a concession of 0% and 10% duty rate respectively. While within ECOWAS, duty rate for the same items are five per cent and 10 per cent respectively.”
But the Federal Government in the draft 2020 Finance Bill had proposed a reduction in duties on tractors and vehicles for transportation of goods from 35 per cent to 10 per cent while the duties on vehicles for transportation of persons (cars) were reduced from 35 to five per cent.

This led to was an uproar from investors in the nation’s auto manufacturing sector.

Vice President Yemi dismissed the fear, saying the decision to slash duty on imported vehicles was not an attempt by the government to kill the nation’s automobile manufacturing industry but to reduce the cost of transportation in the face of growing economic challenges.

He also stressed that it was to meet the huge vehicle need of the country, put at an annual demand of 720,000 against 14,000 local production capacities.