The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a duty-free limit of 300 U.S. dollars for imports, with effect from September 8.
Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, noting that the decision was taken at the board’s 63rd regular meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
According to him, the initiative—known globally as the “De Minimis” threshold—is intended to stimulate cross-border e-commerce, minimise clearance delays and consolidate Nigeria’s position as a regional leader in trade facilitation.
“The De Minimis threshold is the value below which imported goods are exempted from payment of customs duties and related taxes,” Maiwada explained.
He said Nigeria’s approved limit of 300 dollars followed a comprehensive review of global practices and would apply to low-value imports, e-commerce consignments, and passenger baggage. The exemption, however, is restricted to four importations per annum.
The new framework, he added, aligns with provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as international instruments including the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Revised Kyoto Convention.
Maiwada stressed that under the new rules, goods valued at 300 dollars or less would be exempted from import duties and taxes, provided they are not prohibited or restricted items. Eligible consignments would also enjoy immediate release and clearance without post-release documentation.
He warned against non-compliance, noting that manipulations of invoices or attempts to evade duties would attract sanctions, including forfeiture and arrest.
To ensure smooth implementation, he said the NCS had established multi-channel helpdesk platforms to provide stakeholders with guidance, address inquiries and resolve complaints.
Beyond trade reforms, the board also deliberated on disciplinary matters following recent viral videos of misconduct by some customs officers.
“The board approved the demotion of two officers to the next lower rank and reinstated two others whose cases were favourably reconsidered,” Maiwada said.
He added that sanctioned officers would undergo mandatory medical re-evaluation to determine their fitness for service, while warning all personnel against abuse of banned substances and unethical conduct.
The spokesperson assured that the service remained committed to accountability, discipline and integrity, pledging to sustain reforms, transparent processes and strict enforcement of ethical standards.
