Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in ₦379bn Permit Breach
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to importers who have failed to comply with the conditions of the Temporary Admission Permit (TAP) regime, warning of stiff penalties for defaulters.
In a press statement signed and released by Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, the National Public Relations Officer, on Friday, the NCS announced that the grace period will take effect from Monday, July 28, 2025. Affected importers are urged to regularise their importation status by either applying for a valid extension, re-exporting the goods under customs supervision, or converting the goods to home use by paying the appropriate duties.
Temporary Admission, also referred to as Temporary Importation, allows goods to enter the country without full duty payments, provided they are re-exported within a stipulated timeframe and not altered beyond normal wear and tear. The framework is backed by the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) and Sections 142 to 144 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
However, compliance checks by the NCS revealed that 223 companies failed to adhere to the TAP guidelines, with defaults totalling a bond value of ₦379.6 billion.
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“These importers neither re-exported the goods nor fulfilled their obligation to convert them to home use by paying the necessary duties,” the Service stated.
According to the law, beneficiaries of the TAP regime are required to secure their duty exemptions with bank bonds—financial guarantees activated in cases of non-compliance. Typically, TAPs are granted for 12 months and are extendable for another year. Under special consideration, importers may be granted an additional six months and a final six-month grace period. Any failure beyond these provisions constitutes a violation.
“In line with Section 143 of the NCS Act 2023, the Service is empowered to discharge the bond value as customs duty into the Federation Account if importers fail to meet their obligations,” the statement added.
The NCS warned that enforcement actions—including bond invocation, penalties, and legal proceedings—will commence immediately after the grace period lapses.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to regulatory enforcement and national revenue protection.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in upholding the integrity of the TAP framework and urges all stakeholders to take advantage of this window of opportunity,” the statement concluded.
The statement was, on behalf of the Comptroller-General.
By PRNigeria
