The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA) has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of its Green Tax Policy scheduled to commence on July 1, citing inadequate stakeholder consultation, insufficient notice, and the potential negative impact on importers, licensed customs agents, and the nation’s trading community.
In a statement signed by its National President, Emenike Nwokeoji, on Monday, the association said it was surprised and embarrassed that a fiscal policy of such far-reaching implications on 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.
The association noted that while it was not opposed to the government’s authority to formulate fiscal policies, such an approach leading to the policy’s implementation is insensitive and procedurally defective.
The association also faulted the decision to apply the Green Tax to shipments already in transit to Nigeria, arguing that such a move amounts to a retrospective fiscal burden on importers and licensed customs agents who had entered into binding commercial contracts under the existing tariff regime.
“Such a development will inevitably result in severe financial losses and unnecessary disputes within the international trading community.
The association urged the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the policy pending wider consultations across the country. It also called for the publication of detailed implementation guidelines covering tax assessment methods, valuation parameters, and operational procedures.
In addition, ANLCA advocated comprehensive sensitisation of importers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, shipping companies, and other stakeholders, as well as the provision of a reasonable transition period to allow businesses adjust existing contractual obligations and shipping arrangements.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Customs Service to develop a practical implementation timeline and guidelines that would protect legitimate trade while aligning with international best practices.
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