Agents fault FG’s Green Tax on imported vehicles, demand suspension

n n

By Godwin Oritse

n

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to suspend the implementation of the Green Tax Policy, scheduled to take off from July 1st, 2026, citing inadequate stakeholder engagement by the implementing agency, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

n

The association argued that key stakeholders, particularly licensed customs agents and importers, who will be directly affected by the policy were not sufficiently sensitised or consulted before its rollout.

n

In a statement signed by ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, yesterday, the association expressed concern that a fiscal policy with such far-reaching implications for import duty, cargo valuation, contractual obligations, shipping arrangements and business planning was communicated to only a section of the critical trading community in Lagos barely 72 hours before its proposed implementation.

n

“Even more astonishing was the extremely late invitation extended to stakeholders for the consultation meeting. Such an approach is insensitive, procedurally defective and inconsistent with the principles of fairness, inclusiveness, stakeholder engagement and due consultation that should ordinarily guide the implementation of major public policies.

n

“Fiscal policies of this magnitude ought to be preceded by adequate notice, extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders across the country, comprehensive sensitisation and sufficient transitional periods to ensure seamless compliance.

n

Anything short of this undermines confidence in government policies, exposes legitimate businesses to avoidable financial losses and ultimately erodes the confidence of both local and foreign investors in Nigeria’s trade environment.”

n

The group also raised concern about the decision to subject shipments already in transit to Nigeria to the new levy.

n

“This amounts to a retrospective fiscal burden on importers and licensed customs agents who had already entered into binding commercial contracts based on the existing tariff regime. Such a development will inevitably result in severe financial losses and unnecessary disputes within the international trading community.

n

“Furthermore, the stakeholders’ meeting failed to adequately address critical implementation issues. For instance, there was no clear methodology provided for determining engine capacities for the purpose of Green Tax assessment.

n

“This ambiguity is capable of creating confusion, inconsistent assessments, avoidable disputes and ultimately leaving the trading public at the discretion of individual assessment officers.

n

“ANLCA remains committed to constructive engagement with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Customs Service in pursuit of policies that promote legitimate trade while achieving national objectives,” he said.

n

The association also made it clear that it is not challenging the authority of the Federal Government to formulate or implement fiscal policies. It, however, demanded the immediate suspension or postponement of the implementation of the Green Tax Policy until adequate stakeholder consultations have been conducted nationwide.

n n