Nigeria Customs Service Commences Implementation of Safe Passage for Personal Vehicles Under Temporary Admission
Abuja — January 7, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of procedures for granting safe passage to personal vehicles temporarily imported or transiting through Nigeria by international travellers.
The initiative is anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and relevant international conventions governing the temporary admission and transit of vehicles.
The new framework applies to all personal, non-commercial vehicles belonging to international travellers visiting Nigeria for tourism, diplomatic, business, or personal purposes. It is designed to ease cross-border movement, enhance Nigeria’s compliance with international obligations, and reinforce the country’s commitment to trade facilitation, regional integration, and seamless mobility.
The implementation 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 (RKC), the United Nations TIR Convention (1975), the Istanbul Convention (1990), and the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence, and Establishment. It also aligns with the World Customs Organization (WCO) Guidelines on Temporary Admission and the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) regulations.
Under the new procedure, international travellers are required to present valid documentation at the point of entry, including an international passport, international driver’s license, vehicle registration documents, insurance, and a CPD. Upon satisfactory inspection and verification, a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit valid for up to 90 days will be issued and 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 this 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, the nearest Customs office must be notified immediately for proper documentation and guidance.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the facilitation of legitimate travel. This initiative further strengthens Nigeria’s role in cross-border cooperation while ensuring strict compliance with existing regulations to enhance national security and operational efficiency.
ABDULLAHI MAIWADA, PhD, mnipr, mniia
Deputy Comptroller of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
For the Comptroller-General of Customs
January 7, 2026
