The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated that the federal government’s ban on rice importation through land borders remains in effect.
This clarification follows recent announcements on fiscal measures related to food imports, particularly paddy rice.
During an inspection at the Apapa port in Lagos, Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, explained that while the new fiscal policies allow for the duty-free importation of brown rice and paddy rice, they do not alter the prohibition on rice entering the country through land borders.
Adeniyi highlighted that smaller quantities of rice imported via seaports, especially by those with access to foreign exchange, are not included in the Customs Service’s import ban.
These imports are permitted under the new fiscal guidelines. However, the NCS remains committed to enforcing the ban at land borders to support local production and food security efforts in Nigeria.