In an effort to give wide publicity to the 90-day window period for the regularisation of import duties on specific categories of vehicles, the Nigerian Customs Service Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command has organised a workshop to sensitise members of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) Sokoto Branch of the Command Headquarters Sokoto on the need to make use of the opportunity.
Speaking while declaring the workshop open, Comptroller of the Command, Kamal Mohammad, explained the momentous role the association plays in the importation and sale of vehicles in the country.
He said the choice of AMDON members as participants in the work is in consideration of the critical role they play in the vehicle business.
The Controller further stated that the 90-day window period, which commenced on March 4, 2024, to July 5, 2024, is a service effort under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to enhance compliance.
“Let me commend your association for your roles in the importation and sales of vehicles in the country.
“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 further submitted that the restriction of vehicle importation through land borders is a government fiscal policy but promised to escalate the request of the AMDON on the lifting of the restriction on land borders to the headquarters.
The participants were sensitised to the two categories of vehicles covered by the window period, which include vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to undervaluation, excluding vehicles seized and condemned.
Participants and other Nigerians intending to regularise import duties on their vehicles are expected to apply through a Customs licenced agent to any of the zonal coordinators (A, B, C, and D) with the necessary papers.
In his remarks, the chairman of the association, Alhaji Mansur Zagi, thanked the command for the workshop and assured that its members would seize the opportunity granted to them by the service.
He further pleaded with the Federal Government to extend the magnanimity by lifting the restriction on the importation of vehicles through land borders.
He said the closure has caused untold hardship and the loss of means of livelihood to hundreds working in the vehicle importation chain, thereby contributing to the insecurity in the Northwest.
The chairman further said the lift on the restriction will ease doing business and encourage compliance, thereby discouraging smuggling.
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