Customs to commence verification for private aircraft owners June 7

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it will commence verification for private aircraft owners from June 7 to July 6, 2021, over rising insecurity.

Joseph Attah, NCS public relations officer, announced this on Monday, during a press briefing on customs revenue generation in Abuja.

Attah explained that the verification exercise is to ensure strict compliance with NCS regulations and revenue generation through the payment of one percent comprehensive import supervision scheme.

“In line with the need to ensure strict compliance with all regulations especially at this time of challenging security situation and reluctance of some highly placed individuals to pay taxes, Nigeria customs service will be taking stock of all privately owned aircrafts in the country,” he said.

“This is to ensure strict compliance with all relevant regulations governing the importation of such aircrafts.

“Consequently, customs service, in line with its statutory functions provided for in Part III Section 27, 35, 45, 46, 47, 52, 56, 63, & 64; Part XI Sections 144, 145, 155, 160, 161 & 164; and Part XII Section 167, 168, 169, 273, & 174 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) hereby invites all owners of private aircraft in the country to come forward with their relevant importation clearance documents for verification.

“All such owners or their representatives are to report to 305, Tariff and Trade Department, Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Zone 3, Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja-FCT from Monday 7th June through Tuesday 6th July 2021 between 10:00am and 5:00pm daily, with all the relevant aircraft documents for verification.

“Private aircraft owners are highly placed Nigerians, responsible Nigerians that we expect will do what the law says. This is a constituted authority that has invited them respectfully.”

Private jet owners are expected to come along with aircraft certification of registration, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) flight operations compliance certificate (FOCC), NCAA’s maintenance certificate (MC), NCAA’s permit for non-commercial flights (PNCF) and temporary import permit (TIP) where applicable.

Attah further said failure to comply with the verification exercise will certainly lead to sanction of the defaulters.