TINAPA_FREE_TRADE

Tinapa Resort offers pre-built retail and wholesale accommodation, an open exhibition area, an entertainment strip with provisions for a casino, cinema, restaurants, and a night club. There is also a man made beach, functional Water Park, movie production studio, and a hotel. Facilities include massive vehicle parking space, a dedicated truck terminal, a helipad, a scalable 25 mega watt gas powered power plant nearing completion and adequate security provided mainly by the Tinapa Police Area Command.

Resort-wide electricity was originally provided by an Independent Power Plant. However, following the termination of that service, the Government of Cross River State has sponsored a scalable 25 megawatt gas powered electricity generation plant within Tinapa which is expected to be completed in 2023. It is expected to serve off takers across the city of Calabar.

Investors can enjoy preferential policies that create a conducive investment environment in Tinapa Free Zone & Resort, as outlined in the NEPZA Act.

Duly licensed Enterprises operating within Tinapa Free Zone are exempted from all federal, state, and local government taxes, levies, and rates as per the Nigerian Free Zone Law and Tinapa regulatory framework. This means that businesses can benefit from a complete tax holiday, allowing them to lower their costs and increase their profits.

Tinapa is a Customs Territory separate from the Nigerian Customs Territory, so the Federal Government's policy on banned and prohibited goods does not apply to licensed Free Zone Enterprises operating within Tinapa. However, banned or prohibited goods cannot be exported into the Nigerian Customs Territory except as personal goods with a total value not exceeding N50,000 or its equivalent in US Dollars. This incentive does not apply to items on the Nigeria Customs absolute prohibition list.

There are two scenarios where customers can take goods purchased from Tinapa out of the Zone without paying duty. Firstly, if the goods are leaving Tinapa for a country outside of Nigeria. Secondly, if the total monetary value of the goods is below Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) or its US Dollar equivalent, and are deemed to be for personal consumption. These goods can be imported duty free into the Nigeria Customs Territory (NCT). However, if the quantity of goods exceeds the prescribed limit, customers may still import them into the NCT, but will be subject to the relevant duty at the point of exit from the Zone, provided that the goods are not prohibited.

Goods worth up to a maximum of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) or its US$ Dollar equivalent purchased within Tinapa and supported by valid receipts from duly licensed Free Zone Enterprises operating within the zone are considered for personal use. Any quantity that exceeds the prescribed limit is considered for commercial use.

The Calabar port is currently functional and operational, allowing importers to undertake their imports into Tinapa. However, due to recent circumstances, many importers have been receiving their consignments through the One Sea Port while waiting for the regular calls at the Calabar port to be restored by major shippers or barge operators. Discussions are currently underway to address this situation and restore regular operations at the Calabar port.

At the Calabar Port, Container, Bulk carrying, and General Cargo Vessels with an overall length of up to 205 meters are able to berth. Terminal "B" of the Calabar Port has been concessioned to Ecomarine Terminals Limited under a 30-year lease agreement with the Nigeria Ports Authority. They offer various services such as Stevedoring, Equipment leasing, Storage, and Office Rental services. Ecomarine Terminals Limited is equipped to handle different types of cargo, and boasts of a stacking area covering approximately 35,000 square meters, in addition to a recoverable area of about 150,000 square meters with a berth length of 480 meters.

The Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar primarily services domestic routes, and previously served some short-haul international flights from neighboring countries. As a result, goods destined for Tinapa are usually imported through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and then either air-freighted or transported by road to Calabar. However, the recently established Victor Attah International Airport in nearby Akwa Ibom State provides more options for air imports directly into the Calabar area. The airport is located less than two hour's drive from Tinapa and is expected to serve as a key transportation hub for the region.

The timing for the commencement of subsequent phases of Tinapa will depend on various factors, including market forces of demand and supply, availability of funding and so on. There is therefore no fixed timeline for the commencement of subsequent phases of the project.

Future phases of Tinapa will comprise more leisure and entertainment components as well as more warehousing facilities.

To operate in Tinapa, you must have a valid lease and Free Zone Operating License. To obtain them, request registration as a Tinapa Free Zone Enterprise (TFZE) from the Managing Director. Check the "Downloads" section for more information.

Investors can apply for and obtain any of the three types of licenses available for their business in Tinapa, each with their respective statutory and administrative charges. These licenses include Manufacturing, Trading, and Services.

Although Management is often willing to consider bespoke space requirements for investors seeking to locate in the Zone, there are four basic space types and these comprise:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available in Tinapa?

How is power generated in the Tinapa Free Zone?

What are the benefits of establishing my business in the Tinapa Free Zone & Resort?

How are companies operating within Tinapa free from any government tax, levies and rates?

Are banned goods restricted from being brought into Tinapa?

If a Tinapa Enterprise imports goods duty free and a customer buys such goods, will the customer be allowed to take the goods out of Tinapa without paying duty?

What is the difference between goods for personal use and goods for commercial use?

Is the Calabar Port ready for use for tenants likely to import goods?

What type of vessels can comfortably berth at the Calabar Port at the moment?

What are the logistics for goods to be imported by air?

Being a phased Mixed-use development, when will construction work commence for subsequent phases of the Tinapa Project?

What additional components will subsequent phases of Tinapa embody?

What do I need to do to register my business in Tinapa?

What type of Free Zone Licenses are available?

What types of spaces are available for lease?

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