The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the implementation of a new framework that grants safe passage to personal vehicles temporarily imported into or transiting through Nigeria by international travellers.
The initiative, anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and supported by relevant international conventions, is designed to facilitate smoother cross-border movement while strengthening Nigeria’s compliance with global best practices on temporary vehicle admission and transit.
According to the NCS, the scheme applies to all personal, non-commercial vehicles owned by international travellers visiting Nigeria for tourism, diplomatic, business, or personal reasons. It aims to ease mobility, promote trade facilitation, and reinforce regional integration in line with Nigeria’s international obligations.
The Service noted that the policy derives its legal backing from Sections 142, 143, 144, and 245 of the NCS Act, 2023, as well as key 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 guidelines on temporary admission and the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) regulations.
Under the new arrangement, international travellers are required to present valid documents at the point of entry, including an international passport, international driver’s licence, vehicle registration, insurance documents, and a 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. An extension of up to 30 days may be granted upon application and approval by the relevant Customs Area Controller.
The NCS clarified that vehicles admitted under the scheme may move freely within Nigeria but must not be sold, leased, transferred, modified, or used for commercial purposes. At the point of exit, travellers are expected to present the vehicle alongside the approved Customs Temporary Admission Declaration. In cases of accident, theft, or mechanical breakdown, the nearest Customs office must be notified immediately for proper documentation and guidance.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the facilitation of legitimate travel, the Nigeria Customs Service said the initiative would further strengthen Nigeria’s role in cross-border cooperation while enhancing security and operational efficiency across its borders.