The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sensitised port users on the implementation of the Green Tax Surcharge and related fiscal adjustments set to commence on July 1, 2026.

The initiative aimed to promote environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions and encourage the importation of cleaner vehicles into the country, in line with global environmental standards.

The nationwide sensitisation programme, held at Apapa Area Command, brought together Customs officers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, importers and other key stakeholders under the theme, “Implementation of the Green Tax Surcharge and Related Fiscal Adjustments.”

Representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Mohammed Babadende, noted that the sensitisation exercise is intended to provide stakeholders with adequate information before the policy 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,” he said.

In 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 distinct assessment process.

He noted that the Service has introduced a simplified implementation mechanism through the Harmonised System (HS) Code declaration platform.

Muazu further disclosed that the Federal Government had simultaneously reduced import adjustment tax (levies) on new vehicles from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, while used vehicles have been cut from 15 per cent to five per cent to cushion the impact of the environmental surcharge.