Importers may have abandoned about 4000 vehicles at the Lagos ports because of their inab ility to pay the new 35 per cent tariff, The Nation has learnt.
Sources said the vehicles got trapped at the ports under the new duty regime.
A Customs officer, who pleaded for anonymity, said over 4,000 vehicles were trapped at the ports because of the new duty rate.
He said: “We are aware that many importers are finding it difficult to pay the new rate, but there is nothing we can do because it has been uploaded into our system. Once a clearing agent opens a site on his system and punches the name of the vehicle, its model and year of manufacturing, the amount he would pay as duty appears to him.
“Except he pays the amount, the only alternative opened to him is to abandon the vehicle. And that is why we are having over 4,000 vehicles in the ports that have not been cleared by the importers. But my advice to them is to look for money, pay the duty and move their vehicles out of the ports before they become over-time cargo and confiscated by the Customs.”
A clearing agent, Mr Daniel Solomon, said they were paying between N480,000 and N486,915.70 as duty on 2009 Pathfinder Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Under the new regime, Daniel said they would pay N760,157 duty.
An importer, Mr Folagbade Asekun, said they were sad over the increment. He said the government should have allowed the made-in-Nigeria vehicles to be rolled out before imposing the tariff, adding that the policy is like putting the cart before the horse.
“Why do we need to pay through our nose since nobody has seen the made-in-Nigeria vehicles the government is talking about. The government should have allowed the manufacturers to come out with their brand of vehicles before introducing the high tariff. I understand that some of the would-be manufacturers have not commenced operations, not to talk of opening shops,” he said.
There are fears that if not reviewed, the policy, may lead to diversion of imported vehicles to neighbouring countries and enhance smuggling through the land borders.
Last weekend, it was learnt that some importers and their agents met in Lagos to strategise on how to bring in their vehicles through Cotonou.
They alleged that the government imposed the 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy to get the money for next year’s elections.
The charges, the agents said, were inimical to their business.
A member, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. John Aluya, claimed that over 2,000 containers belonging to importers were trapped at the ports because of the bureaucracy at the Ministry of Finance and the Customs.
“There was a fiscal policy by the Finance Ministry on February 23, where the government said all those who have perfected their documentation be allowed to pay the old duty, but the Customs said no.
“Over 2,000 containers of our members are trapped at the ports because of this wrong interpretation from the Customs and we are paying demurrage and rents, how can the country progress,” he asked.
Customs Public Relations Officer at Tin Can Command Mr Chris Osunkwo said the 35 per cent duty on Tokunbo vehicles is being enforced by Customs formations across the country.
In the past, importers paid between 10 and 20 per cent duty on vehicles.
The Customs said the 35 per cent duty was imposed by the Federal Government.
Importers are also expected to pay additional 35 per cent levy from July 1.
Under the regime, commercial vehicles, such as Danfo, which hitherto attracted 10 per cent duty, will now attract 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy.
The 35 per cent duty has been uploaded onto Customs systems, making it impossible for importers or their agents to pay the old rate.
