Nigerians Customs Service Begins Implementation of Food Commodities Importation Tariffs Waivers
In line with the Executive Order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tariffs waivers on food commodities importation in the country by the Nigerian Customs Service, The Service Has Confirmed Receipt of Official Directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance to Commence Implementation of the Directive.
By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde
The Nigeria Customs Service has confirmed receiving instructions to initiate the enforcement of zero percent import duties and exempt basic food items and pharmaceutical drugs from Value-Added Tax (VAT).
OPEN TELEVISION Naija (OTN) News reports that the implementation is coming after President Bola Tinubu approved the implementation of a zero percent import duty and exemption of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on basic food items of which the Ministry of Finance confirmed the directive in a letter addressed to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), dated August 8, 2024.
"The Federal Ministry of Finance shall continuously furnish the Nigeria Customs Service with the approved lists of importers and their quotas during the implementation period. Please ensure wide circulation and strict compliance with the policy," the letter stated.
The NCS, in turn, confirmed receipt of the directive through an internal document shared with press men sighted by our correspondent.
In response to the directive, Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, instructed officers across the country to begin enforcing the policy immediately. The directive, titled "Approval for the Implementation of Zero Percent Duty Rate on Basic Food Items," highlighted that the Ministry of Finance had formally communicated the approval to the NCS.
The letter, dated August 14, 2024, and signed by Deputy Comptroller-General C.K. Niagwan, outlined the key food commodities covered under this policy. These include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, grain beans, and millet. The policy applies exclusively to these items and will be in effect from July 15 through December 31, 2024.
The letter also clarified that only importers with milling capacity and a verifiable Backward Integration Programme for certain items will be permitted to benefit from the exemption.
Additionally, OTN News gathered that the Federal Ministry of Finance will oversee the process by providing the NCS with the approved list of importers and their respective quotas during the implementation period.
This measure is designed to regulate the importation of the specified food items and to ensure compliance with the policy.
The ministry further urged the NCS to ensure that this directive is widely disseminated across relevant sectors to guarantee strict adherence.
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