The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has cautioned its members against “unnecessary criticism” of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) over implementation of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).
While speaking during the association’s National Executive Committee (NECOM) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting held in Lagos over the weeked, National Vice President of the association, Emenike Nwokeoji asked members to tread softly on their criticism of the PAAR, as the document cannot be a final document for clearing purposes.
He said, “PAAR is prepared and issued based on documents by the importer. The integrity of the documents can only be sustained if on examination contents of the cargo tallies completely with the documents initially presented.
“Other noticeable challenges involving PAAR and trade facilitation will continuously be addressed with the customs high command until PAAR becomes a one time cargo clearance document.”
On his part, National President of the association, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said that the NCS had not started implementing the 35 per cent levy on imported used vehicles.
Shittu’s clarification came on the heels of claims by PTML chapter chairman of the association, Bola Adeniran that the NCS had commenced implementation of the controversial 35% levy on used cars.
Shittu said, “Let me reiterate that the 35% levy is on new cars and not used ones as the levy on used one will start January 2015.”
Adeniran had on September 17, accused the Nigerian Customs Service of insincerity by hurriedly implementing the 35 per cent levy on imported used vehicles “without consulting nor informing the agents”.
Shittu, while making the clarification, said that the mileage recorded on the meter of a vehicle determines if it is new or not.
He said a vehicle whose metre reads 500 miles is considered used, while the one with a 10-mile reading is considered by the NCS as a new vehicle.
Shittu advised big time car importers to embark on the construction and operation of vehicle assembly plants to boost Nigeria’s economy even as he advised ANLCA members to distance themselves from speculations.
He said, “Members should distance themselves from rumours by coming to the National Secretariat, or visiting the Chapters for authentic information on the running of the association. The secretariat is an open house to everybody.”
However, the BoT Chairman, Chief Henry Njoku, while speaking at the meetinf called for an appraisal on the national automotive policy which raised the tariff on imoorted vehicles.
Njoku’s said the appraisal was necessary because the effect the policy would have on ANLCA members.
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