Technocrat Media
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it’s relaunching the suspended Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation on imported vehicles.
According to NCS, VIN has now been imputed with human face values.
Comptroller Anthony Udenze, Controller Valuation of NCS headquarters, made this known at a sensitisation programme ahead of the relaunch of VIN valuation on Thursday in Lagos, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The Service had in February introduced the VIN-Valuation policy on the imported vehicles but was rejected by customs agents.
The policy was suspended to give room for adjustments in the values imputed in the system.
Mr Udenze said that the policy would facilitate trade in the country when deployed.
He said the Service had given a human face to the values imputed in the system adding that accident vehicles and salvage vehicles were considered.
“What we are presenting today is uniformity and unification of values from all the area commands.
“The committee looked at various issues and at the end of one month, we called stakeholders to a meeting in Abuja and showed them what we have done, they pointed out some areas which we have put in place,” he said.
He noted that House of Representatives members was invited to look at what was done and they were happy with the concept.
“And today, we are here to showcase and sensitise all stakeholders that VIN- valuation has come to stay and after this, we are rolling out VIN valuation over the weekend.
“By Monday, if you are capturing on Saturday, you are going to apply the VIN- Valuation.
“I assure you that you will be surprised and happy to see what you will get. We have considered all the variants; all series of vehicles have been considered. What you get today will be more favourable to what you have been getting before,” he said.
Also speaking at the events, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf said the world was evolving and Customs would not remain static in the moving world.
Mr Yusuf said a lot of control had been imputed for checks and balances, adding that the system would not allow any mistake.
“Automation of customs process is very essential and valuation of vehicles is not out of place. Now, some agents can sit down in their bedroom, and process the clearance of their cargoes.
“The new digital Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) is another good development. Nigeria is not going to stay behind watching people take advantage of digital technology for business facilitation.
“If there is anything we need to adjust, let us know. We will adjust it, but there is no going back on the VIN valuation,” he said.
In his contribution, Comptroller Festus Okun of the PTML Command noted that with Vin valuation, there would be uniformity and predictability, and convenience.
“We have always been talking about trade facilitation and this means applications of modern techniques into processes and at the same time improve on the quality of control in a harmonised manner.
“I employ everyone to be on the same page. We should work together to see that this thing works in an environment that will promote trade and everybody will be beneficiaries,” he said.
Dr Kayode Farinto, the Acting President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), appealed to clearing agents to comply to enable customs to give them auto-release for vehicles.
He said, auto-release is the agent’s right and so Customs should also do the needful to ensure a seamless process.
He noted that the way customs were increasing the value of PAAR was not professional, stressing that it would make stakeholders circumvent the process.
However, the clearing agents, vehicle importers, and the NCS at the end of the sensitisation programme agreed on the deployment of the suspended VIN valuation policy on Friday.
(NAN)
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