The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Abdullahi Dikko Inde has directed immediate enforcement and implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) 2015 – 2019 and Fiscal policy Measures and the tariffs provisions by all Customs Area Controllers.
The ECOWAS CET which was approved by the Federal Government for implementation was signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and conveyed in a press statement to MMS Plus Weekly.
The implementation of the ECOWAS CET 2015 – 2019 together with its supplementary protection measures and 2015 Fiscal Policy Measures which occurs concurrently will take effect from April 2015 after the expiration of 30 days’ notice required under the provisions of the ECOWAS CET.
In this regard, all imports arriving Nigeria from April, 2015 shall be subjected to the rates contained in the CET 2015 – 2019 and 2015 fiscal Measures without recourse to rates applicable before the coming of the ECOWAS CET.
According to the statement, the SPM and the FPM comprise an Import Adjustable Tax (IAT) list which involves additional taxes in 177 tariff lines of the ECOWAS CET and a National list consisting items whose import duty rates have been reviewed to encourage more developments in strategic sectors of the economy.
Also contained in the SPM and FPM is an import prohibition list (trade) applicable only to certain goods originating from non-ECOWAS countries.
The CG also urged all stakeholders to ensure compliance with the new ECOWAS tariff to enhance trade facilitation within and outside the region.
