222Martins:


Thanks for your suggestion. Maybe you should put an estimated figure to the shipping charges and terminal charges so we can do the maths.

Openbusiness:


Well sir, what I mean is by current laws, full duty is 70%. But in reality, maybe only 1% people ever pay that, because it's too expensive, even for the wealthy. Remember the GEJ government implemented the laws to discourage car importation and encourage local manufacturing or car assembly plants by these foreign manufacturers. But these foreign car manufacturers didn't come, but unfortunately the 70% duty law remained in effect. But in practice, most clearing agents still clear with the old clearing charges, then grease a few palms, and car is released. This is the general system that even customs themselves allow behind the scenes. And that's why their bosses then setup FOU taxforces to close the loopholes and generate revenue, and also do eye service to the presidency that they are working. It is like the case of VIO, many un-roadworthy vehicles have roadworthiness certificates that they got direct from VIO themselves, they just paid money and got certificate, no vehicle inspection done by VIO before certification. But then VIO will still go on the road and such unroadworthy vehicles will be impounded when caught. More money for the government. Money 1 from issuing certificate to the un-roadworthy vehicle and Money 2, revenue from impounded cars before it is released. So in a way, it is a corrupt government system of like government selling guns to the thieves, then the same government will arrest the thieves for armed robbery and collect the guns back . But let me draw the line that I'm not speaking for the agent here, I don't know him, I don't know the OP and I'm not in anyway involved in this matter. I'm just talking in general terms based on my own understanding. But I'm waiting for the experts to come in and shed more light on this matter.

222Martins:
So the 2014 GX460 i pre-ordered from Manheim through KakakiAutos since July finally arrived this November 2019. You can see the thread here: https://www.nairaland.com/5281450/experience-buying-2014-lexus-gx460

KakakiAutos recommended AdexFem as the clearing agent. In his words, "Using AdexFem will cost you more than other agents because Adexfem pays full duty on cars he clears, unlike other agents that cut corners."

I said good, i will rather go with the expensive Adexfem option and have peace of mind than being penny wise pound foolish. So i was billed N2.750M (Two Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) to clear the vehicle with full duty paid and i transferred the full sum same day. Only to have my vehicle impounded today and taken to the customs office because Adexfem decided to shortchange the Government; after collecting full payment from me.

Continued: Those who have done business with me on Nairaland like Gazzuzz and others know that i don't pinch pennies, and i hate cutting corners. Out of the N2.750M handed over to him for clearance, Adexfem paid a duty of N1.5M plus other minor charges bringing the total receipted sum he paid to N1.9M.

The most annoying part of this whole incident was that while the driver was on the road today, i kept asking repeatedly if the full duty was paid so that the driver will know his stand when dealing with the custom officers on the road. Adexfem kept reassuring me that the full duty was paid. My driver and escort had a rough day along the road with the customs until we got to custom checkpoint 4 and we were asked to go pay full duty or settle them with N200k.

N200k settlement at checkpoint 4, after paying N2.750M with about 7 or more checkpoints to go through. The custom officers requested to know how much exactly was given to our clearing agent (Adexfem) for the car. My driver called Adexfem to speak with the officers but he only made matters worst by name dropping and telling them that this is Nigeria.

The custom officers got annoyed with his statement and impounded the car. I got across to Adexfem and he said it would have been better we spent N200k settling them than allowing them take the car to their office. That was when he opened up that he paid N1.9M total and used the N850k or there about to grease palms at the port.

To be Continued!!!

Openbusiness:


Well sir, .

Fentanyl:
anybody travelling this xmas should verify their custom duties to avoid stories that touches the heart

mrbanji carguideng

mejai:

I was hoping to see a moniker I am familiar with. U no disappoint



Don't you think we should summon comrades and push this to cartalk section.... Where e dey happen?
Gazzuzz
smartchoiice
legalwealth
nurey
obekediamondfuto
thebigkendo
kingreignn
oblo
dannybrasky

and others.

Come one, come all. #cyberpeace

dinyelutochukwu:
This is an aberration. To spend 2.7million on clearing your vehicle and still have it impounded is heartbreaking.
What was the reason sir?
Could it be underpaid duties or a case of outright fraud/fake custom papers.
I pray the former rather than the latter should be the case.

Openbusiness:


Technically, the agent didn't defraud him. He tried to beat the system, but it backfired. Even if he paid complete N2.750m as duty alone, that amount is still not up to full duty for a 2014 GX460, unless maybe the car is the accidental type and bought cheap or they undervalued it in the assessment.

buymyride:
next time when you collect your papers, go to custom office yourself and verify it for just 3k. After verification, you would be given the verified copy which you would show custom officers any time they stop you rather than the real custom paper, and once they see that form, they automatically let you go. Just 3k bro

buymyride:
next time when you collect your papers, go to custom office yourself and verify it for just 3k. After verification, you would be given the verified copy which you would show custom officers any time they stop you rather than the real custom paper, and once they see that form, they automatically let you go. Just 3k bro

Openbusiness:
A dealership sold 2014 GX460 should cost maybe around from $21,000 upwards depending on specs. So, surface duty alone is estimated around

21,000 * 306 * 0.35

That's approximately N2.250m surface duty alone, then plus the second 35% levy, which doubles it. Which means genuine full duty in a 2014 GX460 ( based on this estimate purchase price) is around 5m, then not to talk of terminal fees, clearing charges. You will need like 5m to 6m (or more) to clear it with genuine full duty. The agent wanted to beat the system because that's the Nigerian way that most people do but unfortunately it backfired this time. Most agents if they tell you the correct full duty price, the customer will run away and find someone that will charge less and this cheaper agent will still clear it the 9ja way because that's how come he can do it cheaper. But if the guy should have paid like 3.5m or 4m duty, the customs won't disturb with that figure. But how can he pay 3.5m or 4m duty when he collected 2.75m. This is the great puzzle only a magician can solve. But don't take my word for it, I may be wrong or right, who knows. Car dealers and customs people should enlighten us more on this matter please. I want to learn.

Beverlyjean:



This government wicked sha ....u buy car 7million from USA and u cleAr it with almost the same amount .... If u go for brand new , ud cough out about 10m for one little unrecognised car ... It's more affordable for an American to own a lexus jeep than for a Nigerian ...that's cos we pay almost 2ice the price

legalwealth:


Yes but they passed that law to discourage importation of vehicles and with the hope that the manufacturing companies will come and setup their plants in Nigeria.

It will shock you to realize that no Nigeria ever paid customs duty following that policy but they pay the 35% or so. Majority of car dealers don't even pay their clearing agents full customs duty.

I also think that some fraudulent sorry smart ones know how to go about getting customs duty showing full payment when what they only gave was bribe to some customs officers.

Beverlyjean:


Whenever a new policy is approved by the government , they only end up making these personnel's richer .... How can they expect foreign set ups when they haven't dealt with power and security issues .. it's best they reduce these duties to 10%

222Martins:
So the 2014 GX460 i pre-ordered from Manheim through KakakiAutos since July finally arrived this November 2019. You can see the thread here: https://www.nairaland.com/5281450/experience-buying-2014-lexus-gx460

KakakiAutos recommended AdexFem as the clearing agent. In his words, "Using AdexFem will cost you more than other agents because Adexfem pays full duty on cars he clears, unlike other agents that cut corners."

I said good, i will rather go with the expensive Adexfem option and have peace of mind than being penny wise pound foolish. So i was billed N2.750M (Two Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) to clear the vehicle with full duty paid and i transferred the full sum same day. Only to have my vehicle impounded today and taken to the customs office because Adexfem decided to shortchange the Government; after collecting full payment from me.

Continued: Those who have done business with me on Nairaland like Gazzuzz and others know that i don't pinch pennies, and i hate cutting corners. Out of the N2.750M handed over to him for clearance, Adexfem paid a duty of N1.5M plus other minor charges bringing the total receipted sum he paid to N1.9M.

The most annoying part of this whole incident was that while the driver was on the road today, i kept asking repeatedly if the full duty was paid so that the driver will know his stand when dealing with the custom officers on the road. Adexfem kept reassuring me that the full duty was paid. My driver and escort had a rough day along the road with the customs until we got to custom checkpoint 4 and we were asked to go pay full duty or settle them with N200k.

N200k settlement at checkpoint 4, after paying N2.750M with about 7 or more checkpoints to go through. The custom officers requested to know how much exactly was given to our clearing agent (Adexfem) for the car. My driver called Adexfem to speak with the officers but he only made matters worst by name dropping and telling them that this is Nigeria.

The custom officers got annoyed with his statement and impounded the car. I got across to Adexfem and he said it would have been better we spent N200k settling them than allowing them take the car to their office. That was when he opened up that he paid N1.9M total and used the N850k or there about to grease palms at the port.

To be Continued!!!

buymyride:
next time when you collect your papers, go to custom office yourself and verify it for just 3k. After verification, you would be given the verified copy which you would show custom officers any time they stop you rather than the real custom paper, and once they see that form, they automatically let you go. Just 3k bro

izzou:
Someone came to you to clear a vehicle and you billed him. You didn't say "Oga, the bill is almost %90 of the cost price, but I can tip my way to make it lesser". You assured him he was paying the correct fee

He still called you while the car was to be transported. You still assured him that what he paid was correct.

And then they impound the car, and some of you come here to explain how it is impossible to pay custom duty and how the government is wicked

Being a Nigerian is a curse. An average Nigerian is wicked, dubious and deceitful. I don't think God listens to prayers about helping Nigeria. We are very good liars, and heartless

Imagine what people come here to explain

Openbusiness:


Technically, the agent didn't defraud him. He tried to beat the system, but it backfired. Even if he paid complete N2.750m as duty alone, that amount is still not up to full duty for a 2014 GX460, unless maybe the car is the accidental type and bought cheap or they undervalued it in the assessment.

izzou:
Someone came to you to clear a vehicle and you billed him. You didn't say "Oga, the bill is almost %90 of the cost price, but I can tip my way to make it lesser". You assured him he was paying the correct fee

He still called you while the car was to be transported. You still assured him that what he paid was correct.

And then they impound the car, and some of you come here to explain how it is impossible to pay custom duty and how the government is wicked

Being a Nigerian is a curse. An average Nigerian is wicked, dubious and deceitful. I don't think God listens to prayers about helping Nigeria. We are very good liars, and heartless

Imagine what people come here to explain

izzou:
Someone came to you to clear a vehicle and you billed him. You didn't say "Oga, the bill is almost %90 of the cost price, but I can tip my way to make it lesser". You assured him he was paying the correct fee

He still called you while the car was to be transported. You still assured him that what he paid was correct.

And then they impound the car, and some of you come here to explain how it is impossible to pay custom duty and how the government is wicked

Being a Nigerian is a curse. An average Nigerian is wicked, dubious and deceitful. I don't think God listens to prayers about helping Nigeria. We are very good liars, and heartless

Imagine what people come here to explain

pocohantas:


Someone did this same thing to a senior colleague- a 2016 car. Till now, 7mths later, they are still dragging that issue.

Another person I know was told where not to go with her car. I simply told her that car wasn't cleared by customs. Of course the man denied, said it needs time to show on their database...smh

Openbusiness:


Technically, the agent didn't defraud him. He tried to beat the system, but it backfired. Even if he paid complete N2.750m as duty alone, that amount is still not up to full duty for a 2014 GX460, unless maybe the car is the accidental type and bought cheap or they undervalued it in the assessment.

pocohantas:


Someone did this same thing to a senior colleague- a 2016 car. Till now, 7mths later, they are still dragging that issue.

Another person I know was told where not to go with her car. I simply told her that car wasn't cleared by customs. Of course the man denied, said it needs time to show on their database...smh

ElRazur:


I get your point and also see why you said what you said. Agreed that the system is corrupt, needlessly complicated and not really working for the people.


Before we lose the koko of the matter, owner is out of pocket and should not be. What he was billed for and what was actually paid by the "agent" is probably going to make the buyer feel like they were defrauded regardless of the reasons behind it.

Contractual obligations hasn't been fulfilled here. X paid for services. X never (or is yet to receive) the full service and X is also now out of pocket. That's piss poor and from the buyers point of view, the "agent" is the one to be held responsible here. No amount of technicalities is going to give those paid monies back.

buymyride:
next time when you collect your papers, go to custom office yourself and verify it for just 3k. After verification, you would be given the verified copy which you would show custom officers any time they stop you rather than the real custom paper, and once they see that form, they automatically let you go. Just 3k bro