The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has said it is working with the country’s Ministry of Finance to address concerns over the collection of the 1 per cent and 4 per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, CISS, and Free On-Board, FOB, charges.
The service disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday through its spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada.
The NCS assured the general public and stakeholders that “extensive consultation is ongoing with the Federal Ministry of Finance to address all agitations raised by our esteemed stakeholders.”
The assurance comes amid criticism from stakeholders over the continued collection of CISS and FOB charges.
However, Nigeria Customs stressed that the charges are in line with the provisions of Section 18 (1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
The service also highlighted the pivotal role stakeholders have played in its operations over the years.
“In line with the provisions of Section 18 (1) of NCSA 2023, the NCS is implementing a 4 per cent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports. The FOB charge, which is calculated based on the value of imported goods, including the cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the port of loading, is essential for driving the effective operation of the service.
“Furthermore, the NCS acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders over the sustained collection of the 1 percent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) fee (a regulatory charge imposed to fund Nigeria’s Destination Inspection Scheme) alongside the 4 per cent FOB charge. As a responsive and responsible government agency, the service wishes to assure the general public that extensive consultation is ongoing with the Federal Ministry of Finance to address all agitations raised by our esteemed stakeholders.
“Under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS reaffirms its commitment to transparency, fair trade practices, and efficient revenue management. All stakeholders are urged to support this legally binding initiative, as the measures introduced in alignment with the NCSA 2023 reflect a balanced approach born out of extensive consultations with industry players, importers, and regulatory bodies,” the statement reads.
Recall that the NCS announced it collected N6.1 trillion in revenue in 2024.