The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) command has advised car importers and their representatives to be honest in their vehicle identifying number (VIN) declaration.
This was said by Saidu Abba Yusuf, Customs Area Controller (CAC), PTML, yesterday during a stakeholder sensitization meeting on VIN valuation.
He debunked the rumor that the VIN method was no longer in use by pointing out that the valuation procedure is still in place and still completely functional.
He said that distinguishing different variants or tiers within a certain car model depends on the TRIM numbers.
The CAC advised declarants to have their transaction values because the TRIM of automobiles varies depending on the brand.
Because they enter what they believe to be the lowest base value, some declarants, he claimed, are not transparent, necessitating the need for interventions like demand notices and alarms.
According to Yusuf, Section 24 of the NCS Act (NCSA) 2023 calls for stakeholders to submit an advance ruling to the NCS before to a transaction.
The Controller claims that this is a special trade facilitation strategy made possible by the new law.
To increase transparency and promote integrity in the trade process of vehicle clearance, he encouraged the importers and their agents to apply invoice and transaction values.
The CAC who described the meeting as being in compliance with the legislation added that the customs-stakeholders partnership is a provision of section 29 NCSA 2023 and works in sync with the trade facilitation thrusts of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and World Trade Organization (WTO), which promote consultations.
He reminded the participants that the usage of code 846 for clearing non-standard VIN has been further improved to minimize human involvement through what he dubbed e-846, which, in his opinion, speeds up trade and facilitates time savings.
“I must commend the system because the reduction of human contact is very effective and beneficial to all as it saves time. I monitor electronically from my office and can confirm that my officers are implementing it diligently.”
“Wherever you are experiencing a delay in the process under my command, please draw my attention to it. My doors are open and will be more open to all of you. The help desk headed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer is active and responding to all inquiries online and in real-time,” Yusuf stated.
