June 21, (THEWILL)- The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Monday said it will, from July 6, 2021, begin to impound all private jets whose documents were not verified by the agency.
The directive, the Service said, is 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.
It called on all owners of private jets to ensure that they take advantage of the one-month grace period to verify their documents.
The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Joseph Attah, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a media briefing to update the public on the ongoing audit of privately-owned aircraft operating in Nigeria.
Recall that the NCS, had on May 31, 2021, announced plans to carry out a holistic audit of the private jets imported into Nigeria, in order to ensure that no appropriate revenue of government was evaded nor operating rules breached.
The service had explained that the verification was to ensure strict compliance with NCS regulations and revenue generation through the payment of 1 percent comprehensive import supervision scheme.
On Monday, Attah said, “Within two weeks into the 30 days verification period, only six owners of private aircraft have responded to the invitation, necessitating this update and reminder to those who have not responded, to do so in order to avoid possible detention of their aircraft.
“We learnt some are coming today or tomorrow for verification. We also know that some brought their private jets under a temporary import certificate, which has expired and not renewed. These are infractions.
“At the end of the verification, some of the things we want to expose will come to light. We will make our findings known on July 6 after the expiration of the 30-day grace window.
“Those in default risk detention of their aircraft as nobody is above the law.”
Attah added that the management of the NCS believes that owners of private aircraft are highly placed individuals who would be willing to comply with extant laws governing the importation of the aircraft they own; including payments of all appropriate duties and taxes.
He added: “As an agency of government responsible for enforcement of laws governing imports and exports in Nigeria, NCS will not hesitate to invoke appropriate sanctions on any defaulting private aircraft owner immediately after the expiration of the verification period on Tuesday 6th July 2021.
“For the avoidance of doubt, private aircrafts owners or their representatives are to report to Room 305, Tariff and Trade Departments, Nigeria Customs Service headquarters, Abuja, from 10 am to 5 pm between Monday, June 7 and Tuesday, July 6, 2021.”
He added that the required documents for verification are:
Aircraft Certificate of Registration
NCAA’S Flight Operations Compliance Certificate
NCAA’S Maintenance Compliance Certificate
NCAA’S Permit for non- Commercial Flights and
Temporary Import Permit (where applicable).
The Customs spokesman stressed that the ongoing verification was not intended to inconvenience owners of private aircraft, as such individuals or representatives can come with the documents for verification.
