Customs warns importers against false declaration

• Hands over rolls of army uniforms to DSS
The Customs Area Controller, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Lami Wushishi, has urged importers and agents to be truthful and transparent with their declarations to ensure a seamless service delivery.

This, she noted, would ensure that cargoes are cleared without delays, even as the Command operates 24-hour port services.

Wushishi gave the advice Tuesday in Lagos, after parading a 40-foot container that was seized and handed over to officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), at one of its terminals, Port Express, over false declaration.

The container with number ECMU 9239436, which originated from China, was laden with assorted military apparels.

According to the Customs boss, the military wears were falsely declared to contain 200 packages of thread take up can, and 150 packages of polyester material on the manifest, but upon physical examination, it was found to contain military camouflage.

Also found in the container were 732 rolls of plain army uniform, 666 rolls of camouflage, 129 rolls of polyester material and five bags of polyester loaded in bags.

In a bid to ensure smuggling of prohibited items do not find their way into the country, as this is inimical to the economy, Wushishi assured that the Command would continue to enforce compliance with federal government’s fiscal policies, ensure trade facilitation, and maintain good inter-agency relationships with other sister agencies.

“Due to the security nature we have in the country, such a consignment should not come in. Moreover, army uniforms are exempted from payment of duty under schedule two of items exempted from duty payment. So, it beats our imagination why would they conceal army uniform in this container if they don’t have an ulterior motive.

“The items are regulated and you need a permit to bring in either military or para military uniforms. So due to our collaboration, we are handing over the military uniforms, and two suspects to the DSS for further investigation,” she said.

With a monthly revenue target of N800million, Wushishi said the Command has been meeting up, and even surpassed its targets since the beginning of the year.