Customs Releases HS Code For Imported Vehicles

The Nigeria Customs Service Ports Command and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) have released the Harmonised System (HS) Code for imported vehicles following a protest staged by clearing agents at the port on Wednesday after the trade facilitating agency attempted to begin enforcement of the 35 per cent increase on automobile import tariff in line with the revived National Automotive Policy implementation.

The HS Code, also known as the harmonised commodity description and coding system, a tariff nomenclature, is an internationally standardised system of names and numbers to classify traded products and their tariffs.

Clearing agents at the PTML Port had alleged on Tuesday that the port’s customs command had commenced collection of 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy on imported vehicles. The alleged move made the agents operating at the terminal to withdraw their services.

But customs area comptroller (CAC) of the PTML command, Folorunsho Adegoke, told journalists that his command was only currently collecting 35 per cent tariff on used vehicles. He also confirmed the release of HS codes for imported used vehicles and advised licensed customs agents to use them appropriately.

He said, “Note that the new levy is not applicable for now until December 31, 2014,” he stated.

The area comptroller gave the HS Code for used passenger vehicles as: 8702. 1020.20, 8702. 1020.29 and 8702. 9020.97. He added that the HS Code for cars/ four wheel drive vehicles are: 8703.2422.00, 8703.2429.00 and 8703.3121.00.

Comptroller Adegoke also gave the HS Code for dumpers/lorries as: 8704.2125.00, 8704.2219.28 and 8704.2320.00.

He explained that once this HS Code is used, it would be impossible for any officer to classify the used vehicles as new, even as he added that these HS Codes are well known to the clearing agents.

Culled from: http://leadership.ng