Nigeria Customs Service Begins Safe Passage Regime for Personal Vehicles
By: The People’s Voice Nigeria News
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the implementation of procedures for granting safe passage to personal vehicles temporarily imported into or transiting through Nigeria by international travellers.
The initiative, according to the Service, is anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and relevant international conventions governing the temporary admission and transit of vehicles.
A statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, said the new framework applies to personal, non-commercial vehicles owned by international travellers visiting Nigeria for tourism, diplomatic, business, or personal purposes.
The Service explained that the policy is designed to ease cross-border movement, enhance Nigeria’s compliance with international obligations, and strengthen the country’s commitment to trade facilitation and regional integration.
The implementation draws its legal backing from Sections 142, 143, 144, and 245 of the NCS Act, 2023, as well as international instruments including the Revised Kyoto Convention, the UN TIR Convention (1975), the Istanbul Convention (1990), and the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence, and Establishment. It also aligns with World Customs Organization (WCO) guidelines on temporary admission and the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) regulations.
Under the framework, international travellers are required to present valid documentation at the point of entry, including an international passport, international driver’s licence, vehicle registration documents, insurance, and CPD. Upon satisfactory inspection and verification, Customs will issue a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit valid for up to 90 days, which will be electronically recorded.
The NCS added that travellers may apply for a one-time extension of up to 30 days, subject to the approval of the relevant Customs Area Controller.
Vehicles admitted under the regime are permitted to move freely within Nigeria but must not be sold, leased, transferred, modified, or used for commercial purposes. At the point of exit, travellers are required to present the vehicle alongside the approved Customs Temporary Admission Declaration.
In cases of accident, theft, or mechanical breakdown, affected travellers are expected to promptly notify the nearest Customs office for documentation and further guidance.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the facilitation of legitimate travel, noting that the initiative would strengthen cross-border cooperation while ensuring compliance with existing regulations to enhance security and operational efficiency.
