VIN Valuation Suspension: Customs Agents Call for Waiver on Rent, Demurrage at Ports
CUSTOMS AGENTS PROTEST
Customs agents have called for waiver on goods which clearance has been affected by the industrial action embarked on to protest the policy on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
After over two weeks of protest, the Customs management finally decided to suspend the VIN implementation.
In a letter to shipping companies and the Customs, the National President of National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents, Mr Lucky Amiwero called for total waiver of rent and demurrage beginning from the date the strike started up up till when it ended.
Amiwero said such waiver was backed by legal provisions as contained in Section 152 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 45 of 2004.
In the letter which was copied to the President, VP, Minister of Finance, among others, he said, “the statutory provision covers goods associated with delay that is undergoing Dispute Resolution as to valuation, classification, Rule of origin, intellectual property right etc., and Investigation activities”.
Under the VIN implementation, Customs agents complained that importers paid over 400 percent as against what was the case before.
Customs had last week called for a stakeholders meeting where officials agreed to take another look at the VIN policy.
However, the suspension of the VIN policy came only on Monday.
After over two weeks of protest, the Customs management finally decided to suspend the VIN implementation.
In a letter to shipping companies and the Customs, the National President of National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents, Mr Lucky Amiwero called for total waiver of rent and demurrage beginning from the date the strike started up up till when it ended.
Amiwero said such waiver was backed by legal provisions as contained in Section 152 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 45 of 2004.
In the letter which was copied to the President, VP, Minister of Finance, among others, he said, “the statutory provision covers goods associated with delay that is undergoing Dispute Resolution as to valuation, classification, Rule of origin, intellectual property right etc., and Investigation activities”.
Under the VIN implementation, Customs agents complained that importers paid over 400 percent as against what was the case before.
Customs had last week called for a stakeholders meeting where officials agreed to take another look at the VIN policy.
However, the suspension of the VIN policy came only on Monday.
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