The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) is the national regulatory agency superintending over the operation of the oil and gas free trade zones in the country.
It started its operation in 2001 in Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State. Subsequently other oil and gas free zone like Warri, Brass and Ibaka.
CUSTOM INCENTIVES (IMPORT AND EXPORT) in Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria
- No Form M required for importation into the Free Zone.
- Fast-track cargo clearance procedures (pre-release on placement of bank bond).
- Fast-track air freight cargo movement – international airports to free zones.
- No time limit on cargo storage.
- No custom duty applicable within the free zone.
- No custom duty payable for goods exported from the free zone to other countries.
- No custom duty payable on goods in transit from any part of entry in Nigeria to the Free Zone.
- Goods may be stored indefinitely, sold, exhibited, broken-up, packed, graded, cleaned, marked, loaded, unloaded, reloaded, divided, mixed, separated or otherwise manipulated.
- Goods may be worked, processed or reprocessed or otherwise manipulated or manufactured.
- Goods may be consumed in the Free zone.
- No import or export licenses required.
Business Opportunity in Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) Nigeria.
CASH FLOW BENEFITS in Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria
- Custom duties are paid only when goods are exported to customs territory.
- Reduction in overall project costs.
- A variety of investment opportunities.
- Investor-oriented policies.
TAX-FREE & FINANCIAL INCENTIVES in Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria
- Free Zone entity applies for visa to OGFZA attaching applicants C.V., Letter of Employment, Acceptance of Letter of Employment and current Free Zone Certificate of the entity responsible for the applicant and bio-data page of applicant passport.
- The Authority cables a letter to the applicant’s home office (embassy).
- Applicant approves the embassy with a copy of Authority’s letter and S.T.R. Visa issued.
- Visa is regularized on arrival of applicant at the Free Zone by the Free Zone Immigration Unit.
- Expatriates on Free Zone Status must work and reside within the Free Zones only but can attend meetings or/and conferences outside the zones on call time basis.
- No quota regime for expatriate employment.
- Immigration fast track procedure.
IMMIGRATION INCENTIVES in Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria
- Immigration fast-track procedure.
LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN INCENTIVES of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria
- Waiver on pre-shipment inspection of goods (a current requirement for imports into Nigeria)
- Faster clearance of goods (time and consequent cost savings)
- Round-the-clock operations (eliminating costly delays)
- Direct access to sea port and international airport (ensuring faster and cost efficient movement of equipment)
- One-stop-shop (eliminating double handling of cargo, and the resultant cost savings)
- Availability of support services: stevedoring, terminal and supply base operators, stockist, ship/boat maintenance etc. (Reducing delays and enhancing efficiency).
ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria
(Manufacturing, Assembling, Processing)
In line with the growing needs and requests by the market and global economy, some benefits have been extended to some sectors initially excluded from the incentives.
- Duty Payment on Raw Materials only.
- Enterprises in the Free Zones are allowed to export into Nigerian territory up to 100% of their products.
- The amount of import duties on goods manufactured, processed and assembled in the Free Zones and exported into the Nigerian Customs Territory shall be the rate of duties applicable to raw materials in the state in which they were originally introduced into the Free Zones.
- All trades and commercial goods imported into the Free Zones in finished forms, without value addition, shall attract full duty on export into the Nigeria Custom Territory.
- 75% Import Duty rebate.