The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has clarified that the new fiscal measures on food importation only apply to paddy rice, while the federal government continues to enforce the ban on rice importation through land borders.
During a routine inspection at the Apapa port on Friday, the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that the recent fiscal changes do not include provisions for rice importation, reaffirming that the prohibition remains in place. He noted that while some varieties of rice are still being imported by those with access to foreign exchange, these small packages are not listed under the Customs Service’s import prohibition Act.
“There is nothing in these fiscal measures that permits rice to be brought in through the borders. The only change in the policy is the duty-free allowance for brown rice or paddy rice. The restriction on rice importation through land borders remains unchanged,” Adeniyi stated.
He added that, despite the removal of certain items from the forex restriction list, those with the means can still import rice via ports in smaller packages, which are not yet prohibited under the import regulations.
This clarification follows the federal government’s announcement of a temporary suspension of import duties on selected food items, aimed at reducing food prices in the country. The Nigeria Customs provided guidelines for companies wishing to participate in this importation, with the policy effective from July 15 until December 31.
Companies must meet specific criteria, such as owning a milling plant with a minimum capacity of 100 tonnes per day and sufficient farmland for cultivation, or being agricultural companies with adequate farmland or feed mills/agro-processing facilities with an out-grower network for cultivation.
