Nigerian importers could soon see lower import duties as the Nigeria Customs Service plans to eliminate the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme fee and the seven per cent Cost of Collection charge.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the proposed changes on Monday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Lagos.

The meeting, focused on the B’Odogwu clearance platform, was held under the theme “Enhancing Trade Compliance and System Optimisation Through Stakeholders’ Engagement.”

The move follows plans to reintroduce a four per cent Free on Board charge.

Adeniyi said the reintroduction of the four per cent FOB, “will wipe out one per cent CISS and seven per cent Cost of Collection, which is also being charged.”

In February, the NCS had announced the implementation of a four per cent charge on the Free On-Board value of all imports.

According to a statement by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the directive is in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

“In line with the provisions of Section 18 (1) of NCSA 2023, the NCS is implementing a four per cent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports. The FOB charge, which is calculated based on the value of imported goods, including the cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the port of loading, is essential to driving the effective operation of the service.

“Furthermore, the NCS acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders over the sustained collection of one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme fee,” he said.

The announcement follows a brief suspension of the charge by the NCS, prompted by widespread backlash from stakeholders in the industry.