Customs grants international travellers safe passage for imported vehicles

By : Adaku Onyenucheya

Date: 7 January 2026 9:36pm WAT

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Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi,

Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi,

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced procedures for granting safe passage to personal vehicles temporarily imported or transiting through Nigeria by international travellers. In a statement by the National Public Relations Officer/Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Dr Abdullahi Maiwada, the initiative is anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and relevant international conventions on temporary admission and transit of vehicles.

According to the NCS, the new framework covers all personal, non-commercial vehicles belonging to international travellers visiting Nigeria for tourism, diplomatic, business, or personal purposes. Maiwada said it also seeks to ease cross-border movement, strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international obligations, and reinforce the nation’s commitment to trade facilitation and regional integration.

“It is pertinent to note that this implementation draws legal backing from Sections 142, 143, 144, and 245 of the NCS Act, 2023, as well as the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), UN TIR Convention (1975), Istanbul Convention (1990), and the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence, and Establishment. It also aligns with WCO Guidelines on Temporary Admission and the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) regulations,” the service stated. The NCS noted that international travellers are required to present valid documents such as an international passport, international driver’s licence, vehicle registration, insurance, and CPD at the point of entry.

According to the NCS, upon satisfactory inspection and verification, a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit valid for up to 90 days will be issued and electronically recorded. The NCS noted that travellers may apply for an extension of up to 30 days, subject to approval by the relevant Customs Area Controller.

The NCS informed that vehicles admitted under this regime are free to move within Nigeria but cannot be sold, leased, transferred, modified, or used for commercial purposes. “At the point of exit, travellers should present the vehicle and the approved Customs Temporary Admission Declaration. In the event of an accident, theft, or breakdown, the nearest Customs office should be notified immediately for documentation and guidance,” the NCS stated.

The NCS, therefore, reaffirms its commitment to transparency and accountability while facilitating legitimate travel. The service added that this initiative strengthens Nigeria’s role in cross-border cooperation and ensures compliance with existing regulations to enhance security and efficiency.

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