The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the deadline for private jet owners to complete the mandatory verification process regarding unpaid import duties. Initially scheduled to conclude on October 14, 2024, the deadline has now been moved to November 14, 2024, allowing an additional month for compliance.
This extension was confirmed in a statement by Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The verification aims to recover unpaid import duties for private aircraft that were allegedly brought into the country illegally. Failure to comply could result in sanctions, including grounding of the aircraft.
It was previously reported that the government had plans to ground over 60 private jets due to the unpaid import duties, which amount to billions of naira. The NCS enforcement of these regulations was expected to begin on October 14, 2024. However, the new extension provides an opportunity for aircraft owners to regularize their payments and meet the legal requirements without facing immediate penalties.
In a press release, the NCS emphasized its commitment to promoting transparency in the aviation sector. The agency is actively working to recover outstanding duties and ensure that all aircraft operators comply with the law. The NCS statement reads: “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 is aimed at providing a final window for jet owners who have expressed their willingness to regularize their import status. The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, reiterated the importance of compliance and expressed appreciation for the cooperation of stakeholders. He also stressed that failure to meet the new deadline would lead to enforcement actions and possible penalties.
The NCS urges all private jet operators to take advantage of this extension to ensure they are in full compliance before the November 14 deadline.
