Rice importation through land borders remains prohibited –Adeniyi

By Steve Agbota    

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated that the federal government’s ban on rice importation through land borders remains in full effect. The clarification comes amidst new fiscal measures related to food imports.

Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, addressed the press during a routine inspection at the Apapa port, emphasizing that the recently approved fiscal policies pertain specifically to paddy rice and do not alter the existing restrictions on rice importation through land borders. Adeniyi clarified that the prohibition against land border rice imports remains unchanged.

He elaborated that while some varieties of rice can still be imported into the country—especially by those with access to foreign exchange—these smaller packages are not subject to the Customs Service’s import prohibition. “The new fiscal measures do not permit rice to be brought in through land borders,” Adeniyi stated. “The only modification to the fiscal policy is that brown rice or rice paddy will be allowed duty-free.”

Adeniyi further explained that the existing policy still prohibits the importation of rice through land borders. The only exception is for those with sufficient foreign exchange to import rice in smaller quantities, which are not covered by the prohibition act.

He concluded, “Periodically, we see rice imported at the port, often in smaller packages. These imports are not currently restricted under the import prohibition act.”