Relief may soon cone the way of Nigerians as the federal government has exempted the importation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and its equipment from the payment of customs duty and value-added tax (VAT).
Observers say the initiative is expected to result in a reduction in the cost of cooking gas in the country.
Disclosing this in a correspondence dated November 28, 2023, the ministry of finance informed the special adviser to the president on energy; the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); and the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) of the tax exemption.
The letter was signed by the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun.
According to the finance ministry, the exemption is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to expedite investment climate in the country and promote clean cooking practices.
“In line with His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the investment climate in Nigeria, increasing the supply of LPG to meet local demand, reducing market prices and promoting clean cooking practices, I hereby affirm Presidential directive dated July 29, 2022, with reference number PRES/88/MPR/99,” the letter reads.
“Accordingly, the importation of LPG utilizing HS Codes 2711.12.00.00, 2711.13.00.00 and 2711.19.00.00 is exempt from Import Duty and Value-Added Tax. Consequently, the Importation of LPG shall incur a 0% duty rate and 0% VAT rate, effective immediately.”
The finance ministry directed the NCS and FIRS to comply with the directive pending its official gazetting.
Likewise, the ministry directed the NCS to comply with the presidential directive, dated July 29, 2022, and withdraw all debit notes issued to petroleum marketers who have imported LPG “using codes 2711.1.2.00.00 and 2711.13.00.00 from August 26, 2019, to the present date”.
Other items exempted from VAT and duty payment are LPG cylinders, LPG cascades, gas leak detectors, steel pipes, steel valves and fittings, LPG dispensers, gas generators, LPG trucks, to state a few.
Special adviser to president Tinubu on energy, Olu Verheijen stated that the decision was initiated after consultations with stakeholders in the LPG sector revealed that the lack of a clear fiscal directive has hampered investments in the sector.
