STAKEHOLDERS in Nigeria’s maritime, logistics, and automotive sectors have expressed concern over the Federal Government’s Green Tax Policy, effective July 1, fearing it will raise business costs, fuel inflation, and weaken trade competitiveness.
The policy imposes a 2% surcharge on imported vehicles with engine capacities between 2,000cc and 3,999cc, and a 4% levy on those 4,000cc and above, while exempting electric vehicles and locally manufactured cars.
Critics, including Eugene Nweke of the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) and Uche Ejitsieme, a retired senior Customs Officer and now a renowned freight forwarder, warn it could disrupt existing agreements and increase logistical costs, potentially making Nigerian ports less competitive.
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called for an immediate policy suspension, citing insufficient stakeholder consultation and the retrospective application to cargoes in transit.
They advocate for a gradual implementation aligned with infrastructure improvements and clearer guidelines to support local production and mitigate negative economic impacts.