ANLCA chieftain seeks reduction in levy on VIN to 5 percent

For imported used vehicles to be affordable to Nigerians, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on the federal government to reduce the levy on used cars payable in relaunched Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from 15% to 5%.

This is coming ahead of the May 21 implementation of new policy on age of imported used vehicles not being more than twelve years.

The Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Port Chapter, ANLCA, Comrade Onome Joy Monije while explaining that with the new policy, imported vehicles may be unaffordable for Nigerians, called on the federal government to slash the levy to make the cost bearable for Nigerians.

Monije, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Onas 100 Resources Nigeria Limited, told journalists that freight agents were ready to abide by the new regime so long its intention is for trade facilitation, accurate revenue generation for the government.

According to her, the VIN valuation is a welcome development for vehicular importation into the country, noting that freight agents have engaged their importers and car dealers on the importance of new VIN valuation.

Her words, “The VIN valuation for us is not as if there is an increment in charges or tariff, some prices are really intact but the only concern we are looking at is the aspect of import levies.

“For VIN, we have no issue but the levy, because it is not about us the agents or Customs but for government to look into the levy by reducing it to 5% instead of 15%.

“Some cars are stuck in the port because of the levies and we know it has already started.

“It is not that we are crying more that the bereaved but this is our country and we need to look at the holistic approach on the levies and look at how best we reduce the 15% levy to 5%.

It could be recalled that the management of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has resolved to reintroduce the suspended scheme even as it assured all the grey areas would be amended before its relaunch.

The VIN valuation was first introduced about two months ago, but was greeted with an  uproar from the freight forwarders who described the policy as  unrealistic due to the high values imposed on vehicles, and the lack of consideration for rebate on accidented and used vehicles.

The Service management stressed the importance of automation in Customs processes, saying that with the implementation of VIN valuation, agents can process the clearance of their vehicles from the comfort of their offices.

Customs management promised that the policy would be discussed with agents on a regular basis and that a help desk would be set up to help with any problems that might arise during implementation.

The clearing agents under the aegis of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), among others, agreed during a sensitization program on the re-launch of VIN Valuation by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos that the platform which will facilitate the quick clearance of vehicles from the seaport

Clearing agents fought the VIN valuation policy, which was first implemented in January 2022 and raised the duty payable on fairly-used vehicles by more than 200 percent.