The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled the guidelines for the implementation of the zero percent import duty and exemption of value-added tax (VAT) on basic food items.
This followed an approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the implementation of the policy.
In a recent circular by the Service disclosed that the Ministry Of Finance has sent a letter to the NCS, informing the service that President Bola Tinubu has approved the implementation.
According to the approval in a Customs circular said the duty waiver took effect from July 15 and will lapse on December 31, 2024.
The circular signed by C.K Niagwan, deputy comptroller-general, customs said the food commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, grain beans, and millet.
The Service National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs confirmed the release of the guidelines in a statement on Wednesday.
It reads; “Drawing from the Presidential directives aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by Nigerians due to high prices of essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to announce that His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR through the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun has approved the regulation for the implementation of a Zero Percent Duty Rate (0%) and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on selected basic food items. This policy is effective from 15th July 2024 and will remain in force until 31st December 2024”.
“This measure aims to mitigate the high cost of food items in the Nigerian market by making essential commodities more affordable for citizens. The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to address food security challenges and ensure that basic foodstuffs are accessible to all Nigerians. However, it is important to emphasise that while this temporary measure is intended to address current hardships, it does not undermine the long-term strategies put in place to safeguard local Farmers and protect Manufacturers.
“It is pertinent to note that the implementation of this policy will focus on addressing the national supply gap. To participate in the zero-duty importation of basic food items, a company must be incorporated in Nigeria and have been operational for at least five years. It must have filed annual returns and financial statements and paid taxes and statutory payroll obligations for the past five years. Companies importing husked brown rice, grain sorghum, or millet need to own a milling plant with a capacity of at least 100 tons per day, operated for at least four years, and have enough farmland for cultivation. Those importing maize, wheat, or beans must be agricultural companies with sufficient farmland or feed mills/agro-processing companies with an out-grower network for cultivation”.
“The basic food items eligible for the zero percent duty rate are as follows:
I. Husked Brown Rice 1006.20.00.00 30% 0%
II. Grain Sorghum – Other 1007.90.00.00 5% 0%
III. Millet – Other 1008.29.00.00 5% 0%
IV. Maize – Other 1005.90.00.00 5% 0%
V. Wheat – Other 1001.19.00.00 20% 0%
VI. Beans 0713.31.90.00 20% 0%
The Federal Ministry of Finance will periodically provide the NCS with a list of importers and their approved quotas to facilitate the importation of these basic food items within the framework of this policy. The policy requires that at least 75% of imported items be sold through recognised commodities exchanges, with all transactions and storage recorded. Companies must keep comprehensive records of all related activities, which the government can request for compliance verification. If a company fails to meet its obligations under the import authorisation, it will lose all waivers and must pay the applicable VAT, levies, and import duties. This penalty also applies if the company exports the imported items in their original or processed form outside Nigeria.
The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, remains committed to supporting government policies to enhance food security and promote economic stability. The Service urges all stakeholders to cooperate fully in implementing this initiative for the benefit of all Nigerians”.
In the letter to the service, Wale Edun, the minister of finance, said the “measure which is geared towards ameliorating the high cost of food items in the Nigerian market shall be limited to the national supply gap to be determined by a committee set up by the Minister”.
Edun said importers applying for the duty waiver must have milling capacity and a verifiable Backward Integration Programme (BIP).
BIP is the sourcing of raw materials locally to reduce dependence on foreign raw materials.
“The importation of these items shall also be limited to investors with milling capacity and verifiable Backward Integration Programme (BIP) for some of the items,” the minister said.
Speaking further, he said from time to time, during the implementation period, the ministry will furnish customs with the list of importers and their approved quotas to guide the importation of the basic food items.
Edun said customs must ensure strict compliance.
Adeniyi said the service would ensure adequate implementation by enlisting special corridors to clear imports of food items.
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