The Nigeria Customs Service has said that the duty-free importation for major food items order made by President Bola Tinubu does not include rice importation through land borders.
Speaking to journalists, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, said nothing has changed in the importation of rice, saying the policy only allows duty-free on rice paddies.
“Nothing has changed in the importation of rice. Nothing in this physical measure says rice would be brought in through the border. Nothing has changed in the importation of rice.
“Apart from the fact that brown rice or rice paddies would be allowed duty-free, that is the only amendment to physical policy. So, the extent of rice policy remains the same.
“Importation through the land border is still restricted, and of course, it is already removed from items that could access forex.,” Mr Adeniyi stated,
Amid the high prices of food items in the country, recall that President Tinubu approved duty-free importation for rice, beans, and wheat as Nigerians continued to grapple with hunger.
