Motor dealers have called on the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service to investigate the alleged “short payment” practice in vehicle importation, warning that the trend is harming legitimate businesses and reducing government revenue.

The dealers alleged that some importers and clearing agents manipulate Customs duty assessments by under declaring the value of imported vehicles to pay lower duties at the nation’s seaports.

According to them, the practice has created unfair competition in the automobile market, as dealers who comply with approved duty payments are forced to compete with operators allegedly involved in duty evasion.

They urged the Customs leadership to strengthen monitoring measures, improve cargo valuation procedures and sanction any officer or agent found culpable in the alleged fraud.

The dealers also called for greater transparency in vehicle clearance operations at major ports, especially at Tin Can Island Port and Apapa Port, where large volumes of imported vehicles are processed daily.

They further appealed for the deployment of advanced technology driven verification systems capable of detecting under valuation and falsified import documents.

According to stakeholders in the automobile sector, addressing the alleged irregularities would restore fairness to the industry, improve compliance and strengthen government revenue collection.

The appeal comes amid ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance transparency, boost revenue generation and curb smuggling activities at the country’s ports.