Customs generates N1.3trn revenue in six months — up by 29%

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated N1.293 trillion between January and June 2022 as revenue for the federation.

This represents a 28.83 percent increase from the N1 trillion generated within the period last year.

The service also issued 116,691 pre-arrival assessment reports (PAARs) against 129,667 processed in the same period of 2021.

Timi Bomodi, public relations officer of NCS, disclosed this on Wednesday, while addressing journalists in Abuja.

He said the amount was an increase compared to the N1.004 trillion generated for the corresponding period in 2021.

According to him, the amount generated in 2022 surpassed the service’s achievements for 2021 by N48 billion (28.8 percent).

Bomodi said the service also “generated the sum of N156.3 billion into non-federation accounts” as collections made on behalf of other government agencies.

He explained that, on excise duty levied on the manufacture, sale, and consumption of goods, the service collected over N68 billion from manufacturers of beer, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, tobacco, among other products.

The NCS spokesman further disclosed that customs also commenced the collections from extant traders producing carbonated and sugary drinks in the month of June, which was newly added under schedule 5 of the common external tariff (CET).

He added that the service is expected to start collecting revenue from the telecoms sector.

“So far, the service has collected more than N1 billion from carbonated and sugary drinks in the month of June,” Bomodi said.

“Other revenues from telecommunication, like call and data and digital network services are yet to be collected.

“The service is expected to start collecting revenue on these products and services as soon as the modalities for collection are put in place.

“Duties from these revenue sources are expected to boost our collections in the current year.”

Bomodi further said the service seized various goods including narcotics and other illicit drugs, foreign parboiled rice, dangerous pharmaceuticals, textiles, made-up fabrics, used clothing, and vehicles with a total duty paid value of N39.12 billion.

On anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism, he said the service made seizures of USD 339,800; GBP 12,000; SAR 3.013 million; CFA 20,005 and 133 automated teller machine (ATM) cards.