Paymet of Import
Duty Allowed Only Through Form M Issuing Bank
We refer to the below CBN circular No.66/2003
of 3rd July 2003 re-emphasizing on the existing CBN guideline stipulating
that duties must be paid through the Form M issuing bank. Only where
the Form M issuing bank is not a bank designated for duty collection,
duty payment can be made through any of the designated banks. Please
ensure that your duty payments are handled accordingly to avoid unneccessary
delays in the clearing process.
Ref: TED/AD/66/2003 - COLLECTION OF IMPORT DUTY IN RESPECT OF FORM ‘M’ REGISTERED
BY ANOTHER DESIGNATED BANK
Sequel to the deliberations at the Import Duty Collection Scheme meeting
held on 30th May 2003 with regard to the provisions of our circular
Ref. TED/AD/10/2002 of 1st March, 2002 captioned ‘Addendum to
Import Guidelines’ all banks and the general public are hereby
informed that:
Henceforth, waiver shall no longer be granted
for the release of Clean report of Inspection (CRI) where import
duty is paid to a bank
other than that which registered the Form ‘M’.
Where however, the processing bank is not a designated bank, the
Importer shall pay the import duty and other relevant charges to
any designated bank of his choice.
It shall be the duty of any bank that contravenes
this guideline to transfer the import duty collected to the bank
that registered
the Form ‘M’. This transfer should be effected before
the due date for remittance of such duty collection with corresponding
returns to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Failure by any bank to effect the transfer of import duty (usually
said To be collected in error) before the statutory period which
is the Monday following the week of duty collection, shall attract
appropriate sanction.
Authorised Dealers are advised to bring the provisions
of this circular to the attention of their customers, please. Signed:
O.A. DEMUREN (MRS.)
DIRECTOR, TRADE & EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT
CIRCULAR NO. 38/2003 VAT EXEMPTIONS ON BICYCLE AND SPARE
PARTS
Bicycle and bicycle spare parts that used to be exempted from VAT
have been removed from exemption list since 1999 as such VAT should
be collected on all bicycle and bicycle parts.
Signed: D. A. OCHOMA, COMPTROLLER (IMPORT & EXPORT)
New Import/Export Permit for
Animals and their By-Products
The National Veterinary Quarantine Services under the Federal Ministry
of Agriculture and Natural Resources is introducing a mandatory import/export
permit for all animals and animal by-products as indicated in their
attached notification letter. We are currently obtaining more detailed
information on the application process and will inform you accordingly.
Customs circular 33/2003, increases the import duty on sugar (H.S.Codes
1701 and 1702) from 30% to 40% with effect from 1st July 2003. At the
same time the sugar levy is set to 10%, while equipment and machinery
for sugarcane and sugar production is reduced to 2.5% import duty
Sugar H.S. Code 1701.1100-9900 1702.1100-9000 40%
Sugar Levy 10%
Equipment and Machinery for sugarcane & sugar production 2.5%
Signed: NWAIWU J. [DR] - DEPUTY COMPTROLLER-GENERAL (IMPORT & EXPORT)
Please be advised that effective forthwith all vehicles carrying goods
with destination Nigeria require CRI numbers. In other words all items
that would normally require CRI numbers if containerised will now need
to be inspected by the pre-shipment agent if loaded into/onto vehicles.
All vehicles that are not carrying anything inside do not need CRI
number.
Nigeria Customs have sent out a Circular 28/2003 of 9th June 2003,
banning any importation of barites and bentonite and cancelling all
un-utilized waivers granted in 2002 with immediate effect.
NPA direct discharge order
for bulk cargo at Apapa and Tincan ports - Lagos
The Nigerian Ports Authority have directed that all bulk cargo and
large quantities of homogenous general cargo can no longer be discharged
into the port stacking area and warehouses. With immediate effect ships
carrying such cargo will not be allowed to berth and discharge their
goods, unless the receiver has obtained a 90% release from Customs
and can take direct delivery from the vessel’s hook.
To obtain a 90% release, the following documents are required:
Original endorsed Bill of Lading
Original CRI or photo copy, where original is not available
Original attested commercial invoice or photo copy, where original
is not available
Original payment receipts for import duties
Copy of approved Form M
Or final release of the balance 10% of cargo, original CRI and original
attested invoice must be available.
To: Port Manager, TCIP
From : General Manager, W/OPS
Subject : Direct Discharge of Break-bulk
cargoes
It is observed that large quantities of homogenous general cargo (
break-bulk) such as billets, rods, angle iron, steel plates, steel
wire rolls, steel coins, chemical drums, paper reels, fertilizer, etc
are discharged unto the quay apron, stacking areas and transit sheds
with minimum efforts to clear them for better Port Environment, security
and circulation of trucks. The resultant congestion slows down the
discharge of ships to the detriment of the overall Port efficiency,
and should not be condoned. Consignees should take advantage of the
90% pre-discharge release granted by Customs on such cargoes and take
direct delivery as they are discharged. Consequently, it is mandatory
that all homogeneous cargoes, including those not listed above, should
be covered by Customs 90% release before the commencement of discharge.
Furthermore, ships carrying such cargoes should not be given berth
until there is evidence of release and proper co-ordination with the
receivers to ensure direct discharge/delivery.
Please circulate this to all affected consignees and shipping companies
in your Ports and enforce strict compliance.
SIGNED: N.B.C Akani, General Manager Western Operations.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
has amended its guidelines for obtaining import permits on industrial
and laboratory chemicals. Amongst other requirements, a computer diskette
containing a Microsoft Excel sheet with details of the chemicals is
required. For further information see below:
GUIDELINES ON REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING PERMIT TO IMPORT INDUSTRIAL
AND LABORATORY CHEMICALS
1. The following are required from every applicant:-
Application letter addressed to the DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NATIONAL
AGENCY FOR FODA AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL (NAFDAC) indicating
the type of chemical, the quantities and the uses for which the chemicals
are intended.
Two copies of Certificate of Incorporation and original for sighting.
Two copies of current Tax Clearance Certificate and original for
sighting.
Two certified true copy of the MEMORANDUM and Articles of Association
and original for sighting.
Two certified true copy of particulars of Directors Form C07 Business
Permit where applicable and original for sighting.
Two copies of used permit i.e. returns of what was imported in
the previous year. (Not required in case of initial application.)
The Literature (BROCHURE) of the chemicals necessary – Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) It is to be emphasized that specific chemical
names of the items required must be given. General names or physical
description of Chemicals (e.g. use of such general descriptive
terms as Foaming, agents, low density chemicals, Industrial Gases,
Water
softener e.t.c.) will not be acceptable.
Certificates and letter of appointment of Technical man.
Receipt of payment (depending on class of chemical)
A new diskette having Microsoft Excel software concerning all these
chemicals required.
2. Applicants are to note that:-
A non refundable processing fees of Thirteen Thousand, Five Hundred
Naira (N13, 500.00) will be paid when application is submitted in BANK
DRAFT and on approval permit license fee of Six Thousand Naira (N 6,000.00)
payable to NATIONAL AGENCY FOR FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (NAFDAC)
in BANK DRAFT.
A processing period of three weeks should be allowed between the
time of submission of application and expected time of collection.
It has become necessary to disallow clearing agents from processing
applications for permit on behalf of importing companies/establishments.Such
transactions are to be undertaken by technical officers or other
persons with scientific background who will be in position to understand,
explain and discuss the exact chemical nature and use of the items
for which applications are made.
The permit grated is in authorization for the applicant to import
and should therefore obtain before an order is placed for the industrial
or laboratory chemicals.
Inspection of applicant’s Warehouse will be carried out before
Chemical Import Permit is granted, irrespective of whether applicant
is an end user or not.
NOTE: The receipt of payment does not authorize the importer to clear
the Consignment WITHOUT the CHEMICAL IMPORT PERMIT.
Plan for the Introduction
of Destination Inspection on 1st January 2004
The Nigerian Federal Government has announced its intention to finally
introduce Destination Inspection with effect from 1st January 2004.
This implies the termination of the current pre-shipment inspection
scheme towards the end of this year . We will closely monitor the further
development and keep you informed.
The following items can not be imported through any land border into
Nigeria. Please see Nigerian Customs circular 24/2003 of 19th May 2003
for further details:
CLARIFICATION OF BAN ON IMPORTATION OF DRUGS AND OTHER REGULATED PRODUCTS
THROUGH LAND BORDERS - Circular No24/2003
I am directed to refer you to items No. vi of page 3 of the year 2003
Budget Fiscal policy Measures and Tariff Amendments Implementation
Circular No. BD.12237/S.366/VOL.1/34 of 25th February, 2003 on the
above subject and to clarify that the drugs and "other regulated
products" whose Importation were banned through Land Borders should
remain as per the definition in the year 2002 Fiscal Policy Circular
No. BD.12237/S.366/VOL.1/31 dated 10th April, 2002 including the under
listed items:
Motor vehicles
Printed textile
Containerised goods from third countries (i.e. not originating
from the neighbouring country)
Vegetable oil in bulk
Finished drug products and pharmaceutical raw materials
You are therefore directed to allow importation of other products
whose imports are not banned or restricted. Please ensure compliance.