IMPORT: APFFLON Advocates Zero Customs Duty On Ambulance, Medical Equipment

In a bid to ensure adequate health services in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic , freight agents under the auspices of African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has advocated zero customs duty on ambulances and other essential medical equipments importation.

The freight forwarding group expressed worries over the unfortunate realities of high duty levied on ambulances and other medical equipments at a time the world tilts towards relaxing tariff on such essential items in pandemic era.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had approved a waiver of import duties on all medical equipment and supplies into the country.

The waiver was expected to strengthen the health system in the country, and support the efforts of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in combatting the pandemic.

 

But National President of the APFFLON ,Otunba Frank Ogunojemite in a statement made available to DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA on Sunday, lamented that It was unfortunate for government to give special preference to some vehicles over health services as such luxury vehicular imports with H.S CODE 8705900 pay 10% customs duty.

Ogunojemite in the letter dated 18th November 2020 and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari called on that the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and the Finance Ministry to intervene in order to reduce customs duty on ambulances or avail zero duty to such commodities, saying more of the hospitals in the country, acquire such equipment assets to empower the nation’s fight against the second wave of COVID-19.

 

“Your Excellency Sir, we find it really unfortunate and unguided that these essential vehicles and medical equipment’s are subjected to 35% duties while luxury vehicles also pay 35% duties.

” It is also strange that some special vehicles are prioritized over health services as these vehicles with H.S CODE 8705900 pay 10% customs duties.”

The APFFLON President noted the association has always been in the forefront of transparency, compliance to trade procedures and accountability.

APFFLON boss said as a vibrant association of freight forwarders and logisticians in Nigeria observed with keen interest the numerous efforts the presidency has put in via the Presidential Taskforce for COvID-19, Ministry of Health, Finance and Transportation Ministries, among others.

Ogunojemite reiterated that the removal of the 35% customs duty on ambulances and other medical equipment could be a major accomplishment for the country in the Post-COVID-19 era.

“We, therefore, urge the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and the Finance Ministry to intervene in order to reduce the Customs duty on ambulances or avail zero duties to more hospitals acquire these assets and ernpower the nation’s fight against COVID-19.

“As a group, our message to freight forwarders, logistics operators and haulage companies is to remain calm in the face of imminent review of government policies to accommodate their line of businesses and expand opportunities for their growth.

 

“As we continue to pursue the interest of our members in the areas of operational challenges, and seeking amicable resolutions to trade disputes arising from government policies and other stakeholder’s actions; we assure the presidency and all statutory agencies of government that we will remain an ever willing partner in the nation’s bid for progress”,he said.

 

By Roland Ekama