The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has reintroduced the 4% Free-On-Board (FOB) import levy, suspended in February after backlash from clearing and forwarding agents.
The levy, part of the Customs Service Act 2023, replaces the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme but leaves other charges intact.
Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi said the levy will fund Customs’ technological upgrades. “The law states that it is from the 4% FOB that everything Customs modernisation and administration will be funded,” he said.
Car dealers warn the policy will triple clearance costs, making vehicles unaffordable for most Nigerians. “The duty we paid N5 million last week may rise to N15 million,” Cars Nation wrote on X. Dealer Blessing Olasode said a 4% levy on a N12.5 million car adds N500,000, compared to N125,000 under the previous rate.
Importers like Adedimeji Adekanbi fear the hike will drive them out of business, while clearing agent Olanrewaju Yusuf noted the full impact will only be clear after implementation.
Lawmakers insist the levy is necessary to boost NCS revenue.