BREAKING: ANLCA Calls for Immediate Suspension of FG’s Green Tax Surcharge on Imported Vehicles
Emenike Nwokeoji
Ahead of its commencement and implementation on Wednesday July 1st, 2026, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on the Federal Government to suspend the Green Tax Policy, saying that critical stakeholders were not carried along in sensitisation by the implementing agency; Nigeria Customs Service.
In a statement signed by ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji on Monday, the association expressed embarrassed that a fiscal policy of such far-reaching implications on import duty, cargo valuation, contractual obligations, shipping arrangements, and business planning was communicated to only a section of the critical trading community in Lagos barely 72 hours before its proposed implementation.
“Even more astonishing was the extremely late invitation extended to stakeholders for the consultation meeting. Such an approach is insensitive, procedurally defective, and inconsistent with the principles of fairness, inclusiveness, stakeholder engagement, and due consultation that should ordinarily guide the implementation of major public policies.
“Fiscal policies of this magnitude ought to be preceded by adequate notice, extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders across the country, comprehensive sensitisation, and sufficient transitional periods to ensure seamless compliance. Anything short of this undermines confidence in government policies, exposes legitimate businesses to avoidable financial losses, and ultimately erodes the confidence of both local and foreign investors in Nigeria’s trade environment.
Of particular concern is the decision to subject shipments that are already in transit to Nigeria to the new levy.
“This amounts to a retrospective fiscal burden on importers and licensed customs agents who had already entered into binding commercial contracts based on the existing tariff regime. Such a development will inevitably result in severe financial losses and unnecessary disputes within the international trading community.
“Furthermore, the stakeholders’ meeting failed to adequately address critical implementation issues. For instance, there was no clear methodology provided for determining engine capacities for the purpose of Green Tax assessment.
“This ambiguity is capable of creating confusion, inconsistent assessments, avoidable disputes, and ultimately leaving the trading public at the discretion of individual assessment officers.
Our Position
“ANLCA remains committed to constructive engagement with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Customs Service in pursuit of policies that promote legitimate trade while achieving national objectives” he said
Even though the association made it clear that it is not challenging the authority of the Federal Government to formulate or implement fiscal policies, it however demanded immediate suspension or postponement of the implementation of the Green Tax Policy until adequate stakeholder consultations have been conducted nationwide.
ANLCA also requested for publication and wide circulation of detailed implementation guidelines, including the methodology for tax assessment, valuation parameters, and operational procedures.
Other demands includes, “comprehensive sensitisation of importers, licensed Customs Agents, freight forwarders, shipping companies, and other stakeholders before implementation.
“Provision of a reasonable transition period that will enable businesses to adjust existing contractual obligations and shipping arrangements without suffering avoidable financial losses”
The association reiterated its readiness to engage constructively with the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant government agencies to develop a realistic implementation timeline and practical guidelines that will protect legitimate trade while aligning with international best practices.
