private jets
NCS threatens to impound 29 private jets for defaulting on Customs duty
[By VICTOR NZE]
Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has given 29 private aircraft owners in the country 14 days starting from Monday, October 11, to collect and make payments relating to duties and charges to the designated Federal Government accounts in order to be issued with Aircraft Clearance Certificates (ACCs).
It would be recalled that the NCS had during a press conference on May 31, this year, informed the public on the commencement of verification of Import documents for privately-owned aircraft in the country.
According to NCS management, all owners of private aircraft in the country were invited to come forward with their relevant importation clearance documents for verification, during an exercise carried out between 7th of June and August 6th 2021 at the Tariff and Trade Department of the Service.
During the said exercise, the following documents were requested from owners: Aircraft Certificate of Registration, NCAA’s Flight Operations Compliance Certificate (FOCC), NCAA’s Maintenance Compliance Certificate (MCC), NCAA’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) and, Temporary Import Permit (TIP) (where application).
“Within the stipulated period, 86 private jets/aircraft operators showed up for the exercise and presented the relevant documents for verification. Of this number, 57 were verified as commercial charter operators, and were duly cleared for operations.
“29 other private jets/aircrafts were found liable for payment of Customs duty. Their values were assessed, and the appropriate demand notices issued to their owners for the payment of outstanding duties.
“However, 62 other private jet/aircrafts whose registration numbers were duly obtained from the appropriate authority were not verified because their owners or designated representatives made no presentations to Customs that could help determine their status.
“To this effect, all 57 commercial charter jet/aircraft operators who presented their documents for verification are requested to come forward to the Tariff and Trade Department of the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3 Abuja-FCT, Room 312 between 10:00am and 5:00pm to collect their Aircraft Clearance Certificates.
“All 29 Private Jet/Aircraft owners and or their representatives who have been issued with demand notices have been given (14) days from the 11th of October 2021 to collect and make payments to the designated Federal Government accounts after which they will be issued with Aircraft Clearance Certificates.
“The owners of the 62 private aircrafts for which no presentations were made for their verification, and whose status remains uncertain are requested to immediately furnish the Tariff and Trade department of the Service with the necessary documents for verification and clearance,” a statement issued by the
Spokesperson of NCS, Comptroller Joseph Attah, read.
The NCS said, it implores all concerned to avail themselves of this opportunity as ‘it will not hesitate to activate enforcement procedures on identified defaulters.’
“The Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria has also been put on notice to ensure only Privately Owned Aircrafts duly verified, and cleared by Customs are authorized to operate within our airspace.
“Other private jet/aircraft owners whose aircrafts’ registration and manufacturers’ serial numbers do not appear on any of the three lists, will do well to seek further clarification and clearance at Customs Headquarters to avoid embarrassment,” the NCS said.
