The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reported that 223 importing companies have failed to comply with the conditions of the Temporary Admission Permits (TAP) regime, resulting in a potential revenue loss of ₦379.6 billion in bond value to the Federal Government over the past three years.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS announced a 21-day grace period beginning Monday, 28 July 2025, for the affected importers to regularise their importation status. This may be done by applying for a valid extension, re-exporting the goods under Customs supervision, or converting them to home use through the payment of appropriate duties.
The TAP framework allows for the temporary importation of goods without full duty payments, provided they are re-exported within a stipulated timeframe and not altered beyond ordinary depreciation. It is governed by both international agreements, such as the Revised Kyoto Convention, and domestic legislation, including Sections 142 to 144 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Compliance audits conducted by the NCS found that the defaulting importers had not re-exported their goods or paid the requisite duties to convert them for permanent use in Nigeria. Under the TAP scheme, beneficiaries must secure duty exemptions with bank bonds, which act as guarantees in case of non-compliance.
TAPs are typically valid for 12 months, extendable by another year, with a possible additional extension of up to one year under special circumstances. Failure to act within these periods is considered a breach of the terms.
According to the NCS, Section 143 of the 2023 Act permits the Service to liquidate the bond and apply the proceeds as customs duty to the Federal Government’s account in instances of non-compliance.
The 21-day window now offered is described as a final opportunity for the companies involved to fulfil their obligations before enforcement measures are undertaken. These may include bond recovery, penalties, and legal proceedings.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reiterated the Service’s commitment to enforcing regulatory compliance, safeguarding government revenue, and upholding the integrity of the TAP framework. The NCS has urged all stakeholders and members of the trading community to take advantage of the grace period to avoid potential sanctions.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.