Customs CG slams 25 per cent penalty on Seized Vehicles

By Dapo Olawuni |

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali has granted concession to some vehicles that were recently impounded across the country by the Federal Operations Units (FOU) of the service, urging the owners to pay their fines and penalties of 25 per cent

This is even as the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged it’s members to take advantage of the special window granted by the Customs to collect any vehicle belonging to their clients.

The new relief by the Customs boss is contained in a Circular No HQ/005, 2019 titled ” Detention and Seizure of Vehicles” sighted in Lagos.

The circular was signed by AOB Fatade, an Assistant Comptroller General of Customs on behalf of the CG and copied to all DCGs, ACGs, Area Comptrollers and Unit heads.

“The Comptroller General of Customs has directed that henceforth, all vehicles detained or subject to detention should be allowed to pay the correct and complete customs duty with 25% penalty levy.”

The statement however gave an exception to already condemned vehicles by a court of competent jurisdiction not to enjoy the privilege.

” Furthermore, you are directed to note that all vehicles seized and taken into customs custody (Condemned by competent court of jurisdiction in accordance with the provision of section 167 of CEMA, paragraph 1, consequently it shall attract the penalty prescribed in Section 167 referred thereto.” it stated.

The circular also mandated officers involved to treat the matter as urgent and to tender reports of such dealings to the Customs Headquarters on a weekly basis.

” You are to report action to Headquarters on weekly basis.
Treat as most urgent and ensure strict compliance please.”

Meanwhile, ANLCA in a release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Sanni informed its members that the grace period offered by the Customs lasts for only sixty days.

The association said the grace period is extended to those who are still in possession of vehicles without valid Customs documents, to approach any Customs Command for the vehicles to assessed, for the payment of duties, to regularize its documentations.

“After the grace period, any vehicles still in detention might be condemned/auctioned to recover revenue”

“Affected members/persons are urged to seize this opportunity, to avoid embarrassing situations, please” the statement reads