Customs Sensitises AMDON on Regularisation of Vehicle Duties

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command has sensitised Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) on a 90-day window for regularising import duties on specific categories of vehicles

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Adullahi Tsafe, yesterday, customs noted the initiative applies solely to vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to under valuation.

He maintained that customs organised workshop for AMDON in view of that.

“In an effort to give wide publicity to the 90 days window period for the regularization of import duties on Specific categories of vehicles.

“The Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command organised a workshop to sensitise members of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) Sokoto Branch of the Command Headquarters Sokoto.”

The statement said that while declaring the workshop open, Comptroller Kamal Mohammad elucidated the momentous role the association play in the importation and sales of vehicles in the country, stating 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 days window period, which commenced on March 4, 2024, to July 5, 2024, is the service effort under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to enhance compliance.

The participants were sensitised on the two categories of vehicle 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 under valuation, excluding vehicles seized and condemned.

Participants and other Nigerians intending to regularise import duties on their vehicles are to apply through a customs licensed agent to any of the zonal coordinators (A,B,C,D) with the necessary papers.

Responding, the chairman of the association in Sokoto State, Mr. Mansur Zagi, thanked the command for the workshop and assured that its members will seize the opportunity granted to them by the service, they further plead with the federal government to extend the magnanimity by lifting the restriction of importation of vehicle through land borders as the closure has caused untold hardship and loss of means of livelihood to hundreds working in the vehicle importation chain thereby contributing to the insecurity in the North-west.

Zagi further said the lift on the restriction will bring ease of doing business and encourage compliance thereby discouraging smuggling.

In response to the plea, Comptroller Kamal submitted that the restriction of vehicle importation through land borders is a government fiscal policy, but promised to escalate their request to the Headquarters.