Federal Government increases Import tariff

There was confusion at the Lagos ports on Wednesday as importers and clearing agents had difficulties clearing their goods following the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States’ Common External Tariff.

All the 16 members of the ECOWAS, including Nigeria, had agreed to introduce a uniform import tariff, pegged at 35 per cent maximum, from January this year, to facilitate trade within the region.

Although the Nigeria Customs Service said the policy had taken effect on April 11, it was not enforced until Monday.

But the importers, who claimed not to be aware of this development, said many of them were asked to pay double what they use to pay as tariff on imported materials.

They also said the tension generated by the rate adjustment was heightened on Monday and Tuesday when they could not assess the Customs online portal.

source: punch ng

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