Stakeholders lament 15-percent NAC Levy

…Over 1,000 Tokunbo Vehicles berth PTML Terminal

Freight forwarders, importers and vehicle dealers operating at Nigeria Ports have expressed concerns over the 15 percent NAC levy imposed by the federal government on used (Tokunbo) Vehicles.

At a recent meeting convened by the National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Mr Emenike Nwokeoji at the association National Secretariat in Amuwo Odofin Lagos, members of the association took turns to express their grievances about the government policy.

The Protocol Officer to the National President, Alhaji Rilwan Amuni noted that ECOWAS countries for a long time have changed the duty on vehicles to 20-percent, but as at then, Nigerian government was collecting 35-percent from importers and agent for more than nine years.

“When they got to know that we are aware of this, they had to follow suit on the ECOWAS tariff and reverted to 20-percent, we enjoyed this for about three weeks.

“However, the government was not convenient, they do not know where to insert the 15-percent, they needed the revenue badly. Eventually they came out with the 15-percent NAC Levy.

“What the customs CEMA law says is that there would be a 2% NAC levy on new car spare parts in order to boost the automobile industry.

“What joy does a poor man derive from buying a 2011 Corolla car and paying Levy?

There is a need for us to emphasise on this 15% levy because it is really biting hard on us” he said.

According to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Daily Shipping Position, a vessel called “Grande Luanda” arrived Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) on Monday, 16th 2023 with 400 units of used vehicles, the cargo was handled by Grimaldi Agency Nigeria.

Another vessel; Grande Angola is expected to arrive at the terminal on Friday 20th October 2023 with another set of 350 units of used vehicles.

A ship known as Republica Argentina would also be coming on Friday, October 27th 2023 with 300 units of used vehicles.

They blamed it on the policy of the Federal government which imposes 15-percent NAC Levy (National Automotive Council) on imported vehicles. According to them, this has made the cost of clearing vehicles go higher.