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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the implementation of a new Safe Passage framework for personal vehicles temporarily imported or transiting through Nigeria by international travellers, in a move aimed at easing cross-border mobility and aligning the country with global best practices.
Announced in a press release on Tuesday, the initiative provides a structured process for granting temporary admission to non-commercial, privately owned vehicles brought into Nigeria for tourism, diplomatic, business, or personal use. The policy is anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and supported by key international conventions governing temporary admission and transit.
According to the NCS, the framework is designed to promote trade facilitation, enhance regional integration, and strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international obligations. It draws legal authority from Sections 142, 143, 144, and 245 of the NCS Act, 2023, as well as international instruments including the Revised Kyoto Convention, UN TIR Convention (1975), Istanbul Convention (1990), and the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence, and Establishment. The regime also aligns with World Customs Organization guidelines and the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) system.
Under the new arrangement, international travellers entering Nigeria with personal vehicles are required to present essential documents, including a valid international passport, international driver’s licence, vehicle registration papers, insurance cover, and CPD.
Upon inspection and verification by Customs officers at the port of entry, eligible vehicles will be issued a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit valid for up to 90 days, with an option to apply for a 30-day extension subject to approval by the relevant Customs Area Controller.
The NCS clarified that vehicles admitted under the Safe Passage regime may move freely within Nigeria but must not be sold, leased, transferred, altered, or used for commercial purposes. Travellers are also required to present the vehicle and the approved Temporary Admission Declaration at the point of exit. 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 efficient border management, the NCS stated that the initiative would enhance security while facilitating legitimate travel. The Service noted that the policy underscores Nigeria’s growing role in cross-border cooperation and its determination to modernise customs operations in line with international standards.
The announcement was signed by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
