Custom Boss Orders Removal of Rice From Import Restriction List

                              

Comptroller General of Customs Col Hameed Ali has ordered immediate removal of rice from import restriction list and has ordered and re-introduction of duty at the land border.
This was made known by the the Public Relation Officer of Customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi in an Interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.


He said the restriction was only applied on land border before now and adding that the restriction has been lifted ,he added that rice importation through land borders will attract an import duty of 10 percent with 60% levy.

``Over the years importation has been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice.

``When the decision to ban it (rice) was taken it was not an effective measure because smuggling of the product thrives with people using different means of conveyance including small trucks, bicycles and even animals - putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads.

``These new measures will be for customs to reognise their anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay their extant duty. ``