In order to ensure that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) showcase its role in the Nigerian Economy, the service has sensitized Officers of Federal Operations Unit Zone A on Advanced Ruling.
Advance Ruling is a trade facilitation tool which was launched by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi on 2nd May, 2024.It is a tool that is also utilized by World Customs Organization (WCO) and World Green Organization (WGO).
The objective of Advance Ruling is to provide transparency and certainty to international trade minimizing disputes, delays and associated costs when processing cargo from customs control.
While addressing the Officers, the ACG Zone A , Saidu Yusuf who represented the CGC assured that the AR will make their work easier however, it calls for sacrifice.He urged them to perform their duties in line with the laid down rules as AR is in the Custom Act.
According to him, ” AR is a trade facilitation tool which will facilitate how business or trade is being carried out in Nigeria.It means applicants, importers and their representatives will apply to NCS for information as regards classification, valuation,origin or status of a product.Status refers to physical policies that affects certain products, whether they are covered by end user or under restriction.AR gives information on most items.
“For example, before items like fish is imported into Nigeria, there are things to be done.The law will bind the applicant or declarant as well as NCS based on whatever information is given.”
ACG Saidu maintained that trade facilitation goes along with revenue generation while adding that if AR is put in place, the more cargoes come into the ports, more space will be provided for cargoes to come which creates more room for revenue generation.
He stated that AR will hinder the importation of illegal items into the country.
“When AR is done on products, it helps us to know where the goods are coming from, the value and classification and the bottom line is physical examination.When comprehensive physical examination is done, illicit items that are not supposed to come in will be tracked.
” At this point, whoever engages in anything illicit will find it very difficult because the documents will be there .”
The Zonal Coordinator noted that the CGC is very passionate about the Nigerian Economy and in one year of his stewardship, he has introduced various tools of trade facilitation which is in line with the international standard to ease NCS procedures.
“When the CGC came on board, he engaged stakeholders.There was a Time Release Study and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). These are in line with international best practices.They are tools introduced by WCO and WGO to ensure that there is standard in international trade .It is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. ” he said
