FG Approves 100% VAT Waiver on CNG, LPG

* Orders withdrawal of Debit Notes issued  from August 26, 2019

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Federal Government has approved a zero per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on Feed Gas for all processed, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and imported liquified petroleum gas, with immediate effect.

The VAT-free waiver also extends to  

CNG equipment components, conversion and installation services, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) equipment components, conversion and installation services, and all equipment and infrastructure related to the expansion CNG, LPG and the Presidential CNG Initiative, including conversion kits.

In a circular, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, directed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to immediately apply a zero per cent (0%) VAT rate on the items.

The circular titled ‘Fiscal Incentives for the  Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative’, read: 

“In line with His Excellency, Mr President’s commitment to improve the investment climate in Nigeria, and to increase the utilisation and supply of gas in the domestic market:

“Pursuant to Part 1, Section 5 of the Customs and Excise Tariff Act, which grants an Import Duty Waiver on machinery, equipment and spare parts imported into Nigeria for the utilization of Nigerian gas (‘Gas Utilization Waiver’), the importation of all equipment related to Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas into the Nigerian market shall attract zero per cent (0%) import duty rate. 

“The eligible Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas equipment covered by the existing Gas Utilization Waiver is outlined in the attached Appendix: Consequently, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are hereby directed to apply a zero per cent (0%) Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on the following items;

a. Feed Gas for all processed gas

b. Compressed Natural Gas

c. Imported liquified petroleum gas

d. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) equipment components, conversion and installation services i.e. Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) equipment components, conversion and installation services;

“All equipment and infrastructure related to the expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the Presidential CNG Initiative, including conversion kits.”

The minister further directed that all applications for Import and Customs Duty exemption in relation to CNG equipment shall require a letter of support from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy.

He also directed that the importation of LPG under HS Codes 2711.12.OO.OO, 2711.13.OO.OO and 2711.19.OO.OO are exempt from Import Duty and Value-Added Tax.

“As a result, all debit notes issued to petroleum marketers who have imported LPG using codes 2711.1.2.00.00 and 2711.13.00.00 from August 26, 2019, to the present date should be withdrawn by the Nigeria Customs Service in line with the previous approval.

“The implementation of the tariff review for the CNG and LPG sub-sector takes immediate effect from the date of this circular. Please ensure strict and prompt compliance,” the circular said.