The Nigeria Customs Service has begun implementing a new framework that allows international travellers to temporarily import or transit personal vehicles through Nigeria under a regulated safe passage system.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced the initiative in a statement issued on Wednesday by the service’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, and published across the agency’s verified social media platforms.
According to the statement, the framework is anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and aligns with key international conventions governing the temporary admission and transit of vehicles. It applies to personal, non-commercial vehicles owned by foreign visitors entering Nigeria for tourism, diplomatic assignments, business engagements, or personal reasons.
Maiwada explained that the policy is designed to ease cross-border movement, strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international obligations, and reinforce the country’s commitment to trade facilitation and regional integration.
He noted that the initiative derives 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 of 1975, the Istanbul Convention of 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 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 papers, insurance documents, and a valid CPD. Once inspection and verification are completed, Customs will issue a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit valid for up to 90 days, which will be electronically recorded.
Travellers may apply for a one-time extension of up to 30 days, subject to approval by the relevant Customs Area Controller. Vehicles admitted under the scheme 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 along with the approved customs Temporary Admission Declaration. In cases of accidents, theft, or mechanical breakdown, the nearest Customs office must be notified immediately 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 is expected to strengthen cross-border cooperation while ensuring compliance with existing regulations to enhance security and operational efficiency.
For businesses in tourism, logistics support services, hospitality, and cross-border trade facilitation, the framework could improve ease of movement for foreign partners and visitors, supporting smoother business interactions and regional mobility.
