FG Moves To Crash Cost Of Cooking Gas, Exempts LPG From VAT, Customs Duty

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Federal government of Nigeria has exempted imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and its equipment from the payment of customs duty and value-added tax (VAT).

This was disclosed by the Ministry of Finance in a letter dated November 28, 2023 and addressed to the Special Adviser to the President on Energy.

The letter was also addressed to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). 

The move is expected to result in a drop in the cost of cooking gas in the country.

The letter, according to TheCable, was signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. 

According to the ministry, the exemption aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhance Nigeria’s investment climate, 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 utilising 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 ministry instructed the NCS and FIRS to comply with the directive pending its official gazetting. 

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, among others. 

The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said the decision was prompted after consultations with stakeholders revealed that the lack of a clear fiscal directive has hindered investments in the LPG sector.

She spoke while informing the chairman of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking of the exemptions in a separate letter, dated November 30, 2023.

In 2019, the federal government had removed VAT on LPG in Nigeria.

However, reintroducing the tax in 2021, the federal government commenced implementation of the 7.5 per cent tax on imported LPG — exempting locally manufactured gas.