The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its nationwide sensitisation campaign on the implementation of the Green Tax Surcharge and related fiscal adjustments ahead of the policy’s commencement on July 1, 2026.

The Service disclosed this in a statement published on its official X handle on Monday, saying the initiative is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging the importation of cleaner vehicles into the country in line with global environmental standards.

According to the statement, the latest sensitisation programme was held at the Apapa Area Command on Friday, June 26, 2026, under the theme, “Implementation of the Green Tax Surcharge and Related Fiscal Adjustments.”

The event brought together Customs officers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, importers and other key stakeholders to familiarise them with the new policy ahead of its implementation.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Mohammed Babadende, said the exercise was organised to ensure stakeholders fully understand the policy and its implementation framework before it takes effect.

“This sensitisation is designed to ensure that every stakeholder clearly understands the policy before implementation. Our objective is to eliminate uncertainty, promote voluntary compliance and guarantee uniform application of the Green Tax Surcharge across all commands,” Babadende said.

He stressed that effective stakeholder engagement would help ensure a seamless rollout of the policy while improving compliance across the country’s ports and border stations.

Delivering a technical presentation, the Comptroller in charge of Tariff, System Audit and Coordination, Murtala Muazu, explained that the Green Tax Surcharge differs from conventional fiscal measures and would therefore require a separate assessment process.

Muazu disclosed that the Service has introduced a simplified implementation mechanism through the Harmonised System (HS) Code declaration platform to facilitate accurate assessment and ease compliance by importers and clearing agents.

He further revealed that the Federal Government has simultaneously reviewed existing import charges on vehicles to cushion the effect of the new environmental levy.

According to him, import levies on vehicles have been reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, while duties on used vehicles have been cut from 15 per cent to five per cent.

The Customs Service said the reductions are intended to offset the impact of the Green Tax Surcharge while supporting legitimate trade and ensuring businesses are not unduly burdened by the new policy.

Area Controllers who attended the sensitisation programme urged importers, licensed customs agents and members of the public to support the initiative, noting that the reduction in import levies would lower the cost of doing business, facilitate legitimate trade and ultimately contribute to reducing transportation costs across the country.

Stakeholders at the event welcomed the initiative but called for sustained public awareness campaigns to ensure broader understanding, minimise confusion and encourage voluntary compliance as the rollout date approaches.

The Green Tax Surcharge is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, as part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to promote environmentally friendly transportation and align Nigeria’s import policies with global climate and sustainability objectives. (Guardian)

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