By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun a nationwide awarenesses sensitisation on the implementation of the Green Tax Surcharge and related fiscal adjustments ahead of its commencement on July 1, 2026. The initiative is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging the importation of cleaner vehicles into the country in line with global environmental standards. Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command on Friday, 26 June 2026, commenced the sensitization program. The event 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.”The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, ably represented by the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Mohammed Babadende, pointed out 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. The Comptroller in charge of Tariff, System Audit and Coordination, Murtala Muazu in his presentation disclosed that the Green Tax Surcharge differs from conventional fiscal measures and would therefore require a distinct assessment process. He also explained that the Service has introduced a simplified implementation mechanism through the HS Code declaration platform.Speaking further, disclosed that the Federal Government had simultaneously reduced import levies on vehicles from 20 percent to 10 percent, while duties on used vehicles have been cut from 15 percent to five percent to cushion the impact of the environmental surcharge.Area Controllers who participated at the program urged importers, licensed customs agents and members of the public to support the initiative. According to the officers T the reduction in import levies would ease the cost of doing business, facilitate legitimate trade and reduce transportation costs across the country. Other stakeholders present at the program welcomed the initiative but, however, called for sustained public awareness campaigns to ensure broader understanding and compliance as the rollout date approaches.
