Nigerias Central Bank CBN, is directing the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to apply the forex closing rate on the date of the form M submission by importers for the clearance of goods and import duty assessment.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Trade and Exchange Department, Hassan Mahmud.
The federal government believes that the never before seen measure will tackle the volatility and frequent updates on the customs website concerning the liberalisation of the forex market.
The CBN said there the regular changes in the customs duties rate have disrupted the pricing structure leading to irregular increases in the final cost of goods in the market.
The CBN stated,
To this effect, the Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to advise the Nigeria Customs Service and other related parties to adopt the FX rate on the date of opening the Form M for importation of goods, as the FX rate to be used for import duty assessment. This rate remains valid until the date of termination of the importation and clearance of goods by the importers.
This would enable the Nigeria Customs Service and the importers to effectively plan appropriately and reduce uncertainties around varying exchange rates in determining revenue, or cost structure respectively.
Therefore, effective 26th February 2024, the closing rate on the date of opening of Form M for importation of goods and services would be the rate that would apply for assessment of goods and services. This supersedes the requirement of Memorandum 9, J (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Foreign Exchange Manual (Revised Edition) 2018.
Many have continued to wonder what impact this will have on the much desired changes in clearing the backlog of containers already in demurrage at the ports.
(C) ControlTV 2024.
