Customs To Redeploy Reviewed E-VIN valuation Policy This Friday On Imported Vehicles

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded plans to redeploy the suspended electronic Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation policy for imported vehicles on Friday, it has been learnt.

The implementation of the new VIN valuation has been generating controversy since its introduction some weeks back.

Clearing agents and other maritime stakeholders had staged protests in the wake of the introduction of the e-VIN valuation platform, a development that forced Customs to suspend its implementation.

Among other things, clearing agents claimed that the platform came with a sharp increase in duty paid on imported vehicles

The controller in charge of e-valuation, Abuja, Anthony Udenze, who disclosed this in Lagos, said the application will be launched Friday and will be fully deployed from Saturday.

Udenze explained that the Service took into consideration all the complaints raised by stakeholders during the first attempt to implement the application, and made the necessary corrections before the redeployment.

 

He said the VIN system is aimed at facilitating trade, stressing that the new values have been unified and simplified.

 

“Right now, we have cases where values given by various commands are different. There has been outcry for the unification of value from the valuation unit and the Service deemed it fit to listen to this cry.

“Remember that two months ago we deployed this valuation and there was an outcry. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) in his magnanimity listened to the cry of stakeholders and set up a committee to review the process and the committee worked assiduously to come up with something that would be acceptable to all.

“We drew up officers from various Commands’ valuation units and today we can tell you that what we are presenting today will be acceptable globally,” Udeze stated.

He noted that the new VIN Valuation system considered all options, including accidented vehicles and salvage vehicles were all built-in, even as uniformity in values from all the Area Commands have also been achieved.

Udenze noted that apart from engagement with stakeholders in the industry, members of the House of Representatives also reviewed the new VIN valuation system and approved it.