Nigeria Customs Service to Carryout Import Duties Verification Exercise on Private Jets, Warns Private Jet Owners to Comply

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that the deadline for the verification exercise related to import duties on private jets has been extended until November 14. This extension, which begins on October 14, was confirmed in a statement released on Monday by Abdullahi Maiwada, the public relations officer for the NCS. The decision to prolong the exercise by one month comes in response to ongoing efforts to engage private jet operators who have indicated a desire to regularize their import duties.

It was reported earlier today that the federal government is prepared to take action against more than 60 private jets owned by prominent individuals within the country, due to outstanding import duties that collectively amount to billions of naira. These private jets may face grounding if their owners fail to meet the required payment obligations.

In the statement, Maiwada outlined the purpose of the extension: “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) wishes to inform the general public, particularly operators of privately-owned aircraft, that the verification exercise for the recovery of import duties on illegally imported private aircraft has been extended by one month, from Monday, 14th October 2024, to Thursday, 14th November 2024.”

The extension, according to Maiwada, is intended to give aircraft operators who are willing to comply with import duty regulations additional time to complete the process. “This extension aims to further engage operators who have expressed willingness to regularize their import duties, providing them with an additional window to comply with the necessary regulations,” he said.

Maiwada emphasized that the Nigeria Customs Service is fully committed to ensuring that all private jets imported into the country illegally are brought into compliance with the appropriate legal requirements. This, he stated, would help promote transparency and accountability in the aviation industry, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the sector. He further urged private jet operators to make the most of the extra time given to them to resolve any outstanding issues with their import duties.

“The NCS is committed to ensuring that all illegally imported aircraft meet the legal requirements, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in the aviation sector,” Maiwada added. “In light of this extension, the NCS encourages aircraft operators to take full advantage of the extended period to fulfill their obligations, avoiding sanctions that may arise from non-compliance after the deadline.”
Furthermore, Maiwada mentioned that under the leadership of Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, the Customs Service remains dedicated to upholding the laws that govern import duties on aircraft, as well as ensuring that the aviation sector operates with integrity. This focus on enforcing regulations is part of a broader effort to sustain order and legality in the sector.

Earlier this year, on March 14, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued a warning to private jet owners who were engaging in unauthorized commercial flight operations. The NCAA made it clear that operating licenses could be revoked if private jets were used for commercial purposes without the appropriate permissions. In less than two months, the authority took further action by ordering a comprehensive re-evaluation of all non-commercial flight permits (PNCF). This review, which had to be completed by April 19, was aimed at ensuring that all private jet operators were in full compliance with the regulatory standards governing non-commercial aviation.

By July 5, the NCAA revealed that it had suspended ten private jet operators due to their failure to complete the mandatory recertification process. This move underscored the aviation authority’s determination to ensure that the sector is regulated properly and that all operators meet the necessary requirements for legal operation within Nigeria.

The recent extension of the import duty verification deadline by the NCS is yet another step in the government’s ongoing efforts to bring order to the private aviation industry and ensure that all stakeholders are in full compliance with the law.