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Clearing Agents Threaten Strike Over Reintroduction Of 15% NAC Levy On Used Vehicles By Customs
Clearing agents threaten to go on strike after Customs reintroduced 15 per cent NAC levy on used vehicles.
NCS also announced a reduction of duty payable on imported used vehicles (Tokunbo) from 35% to 20%.
Brand new vehicles will also pay 20% duty (from 35%) and a NAC levy of 20 percent.
The Federal Government agency added that implementing the charge takes immediate effect.
Clearing agents operating in the Nigeria’s Maritime Industry have threatened to go on strike following the reintroduction of a 15 per cent National Automotive Council (NAC) levy on imported used vehicles by the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had earlier this week announced a reduction of duty payable on imported used vehicles from 35 per cent to 20 per cent, as well as the reintroduction of 15 per cent NAC levy on used imported vehicles. The Federal Government agency added that implementing the charge takes immediate effect.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Ports & Terminal Multipurpose Limited (NCMDLCA PTML) Chapter, Abayomi Duyile, said the reintroduction of the NAC levy on Tokunbo vehicles could have an adverse effect on the sector.
He said :
“As I speak to you now, the NCS has reintroduced the NAC levy, which is a 15 per cent payment on used imported vehicles. That is a major issue. It means an additional 15 per cent on the duty we are paying currently”
“We will meet tomorrow and when we do, we will make our views known to the government. What we have in Nigeria are assembly plants, it is not as if we produce any vehicles completely in Nigeria. I am surprised now that towards the second quarter of 2022, the Customs is coming back again with the NAC levy.
He argued that the National Automotive Council (NAC) levy is meant only for new vehicles and not for used imported vehicles popularly known as Tokunbo.
“Why should the NAC levy be on used vehicles? I don’t know why they are coming up with the NAC levy again now. The Customs didn’t inform us, so we have been advised to stop the process of duty payment until this is sorted out. This is everywhere for now and anywhere you are clearing used vehicles, you will face the same problem.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, PTML Chapter, George Okafor, also kicked against the reintroduction of the NAC levy.
He added that the outcome of the association’s meeting with its members will determine whether the agents would embark on the proposed strike or not.
“This is wrong because there is no way Customs can calculate NAC levy on used vehicles. It should be for new vehicles. The levy is for new vehicles, and not old or used vehicles. We will have to meet with the Customs command to determine the next line of action.”
The National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Timi Bomodi, in a statement earlier this week, said the decision follows a migration from the old version of the ECOWAS CAT to the new version, adding that this was in line with the World Customs Organisation’s five-year review of its nomenclature.
“On Friday, April 1, 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 WCO’s 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”.
“In Chapter 98 of the current CET – bonafide assemblers importing Completely Knocked Down and Semi Knocked Down are to enjoy a concession of zero per cent and 10 per cent duty rate, respectively. While within ECOWAS, duty rates for the same items are five per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. Incentivising their efforts through policy interventions guarantees a win-win situation for the nation in the long run. Implementing the current CET takes immediate effect, please,” the statement added.
