The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has called for reinstating the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) levy as interim funding for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
SEREC made the appeal in a statement released by its Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, on Thursday in Abuja, highlighting growing concerns over Customs’ current funding structure.
The call came after the Federal Government suspended implementation of the four per cent Free On Board (FOB) levy, which had been collected by the Nigeria Customs Service on imported goods.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Finance Minister Wale Edun announced the suspension in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, Raymond Omachi.
Edun noted that the decision followed extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, trade experts, and government officials, all of whom raised concerns about the levy’s negative impact on the economy.
NAN reports that previously, the NCS suspended the one per cent CISS levy and seven per cent cost-of-collection fee to transition into the now-suspended four per cent FOB levy structure.
SEREC stressed that the one per cent CISS levy, used to fund pre-shipment inspection and supervision, faced no industry opposition and should therefore be reinstated to maintain financial stability.
“The suspension of four per cent FOB without reinstating the one per cent CISS creates a policy vacuum, disrupts revenue flow, and causes confusion among stakeholders,” SEREC warned in the statement.
The centre also noted that no official circular from NCS management had yet reached Area Comptrollers, Project Managers, or Technical Supervisors to guide implementation of the suspension decision.
SEREC called on lawmakers to engage with the National Assembly and amend the NCS Act, aligning its revenue measures with stakeholder-endorsed and practical fiscal policies.
It further urged that Customs authorities ensure clear, consistent communication with the trading community to avoid uncertainty and support ongoing Customs modernisation initiatives.
“Suspending four per cent FOB, reinstating one per cent CISS, and pursuing statutory amendments will strengthen policy credibility and enhance Nigeria’s trade and fiscal environment,” the statement said.
