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From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command has organised a workshop to educate members of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) in Sokoto State about the 90-day window period for regularising import duties on specific vehicle categories.
Comptroller Kamal Mohammad, the Command’s head, emphasised the association’s crucial role in vehicle importation and sales within the country. He explained that AMDON members were chosen as participants due to their significant involvement in the vehicle industry.
The Controller further stated that the 90-day window period, which began on March 4, 2024, and ends on July 5, 2024, is a service initiative under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi aimed at enhancing compliance.
“Let me commend your association for your roles in the importation and sales of vehicles in the country,” Mohammad said.
“The 90-day window period given to Nigerians to regularise vehicles without duty, which commenced on March 4, 2024, will lapse on July 5, 2024.
“We want you to make use of the windows, which is part of the efforts of the service under the leadership of Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale, aimed at enhancing compliance.”
Comptroller Kamal also stated that the restriction on vehicle importation through land borders is a government fiscal policy but promised to forward AMDON’s request to lift the restriction to headquarters.
Participants were informed about the two categories of vehicles covered by the window period: vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled and vehicles detained due to undervaluation, excluding seized and condemned vehicles.
Participants and other Nigerians wishing to regularise import duties on their vehicles must apply through a Customs-licensed agent to any of the zonal coordinators (A, B, C, and D) with the necessary documentation.
In his remarks, association chairman Alhaji Mansur Zagi expressed gratitude to the command for the workshop and assured that members would take advantage of the opportunity provided by the service.
He further appealed to the Federal Government to extend the gesture by lifting the restriction on vehicle importation through land borders. He stated that the closure has caused immense hardship and loss of livelihoods for hundreds employed in the vehicle importation chain, contributing to insecurity in the Northwest.
