Odita Sunday 
ABUJA – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially commenced the implementation of a “Safe Passage” framework designed for personal vehicles temporarily imported or transiting through Nigeria by international travelers.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, announced that the initiative is anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. The policy also aligns with various international conventions governing temporary admission and the transit of vehicles.
The framework applies specifically to personal, non-commercial vehicles owned by international visitors entering the country for tourism, diplomacy, business, or personal reasons. According to Maiwada, the move aims to ease cross-border mobility while ensuring Nigeria remains compliant with global trade and transit obligations.
Legal backing for this implementation is derived from Sections 142, 143, 144, and 245 of the NCS Act, 2023. It also draws from international instruments such as the Revised Kyoto Convention, the UN TIR Convention (1975), the Istanbul Convention (1990), and the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.
Requirements and Validity
To benefit from the scheme, travelers must present several documents at entry points, including:
- A valid international passport and driver’s licence.
- Vehicle registration and insurance documents.
- A Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD).
“Following a successful inspection, a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit, valid for up to 90 days, will be issued and electronically recorded,” Maiwada explained. He added that an extension of up to 30 days may be granted, subject to the approval of the relevant Customs Area Controller.
Strict Compliance Guidelines
The NCS emphasized that vehicles admitted under this framework are subject to strict regulations. They must not be sold, leased, modified, or used for any commercial activities within Nigeria. Furthermore, travelers are required to notify Customs offices immediately in the event of an accident, theft, or mechanical breakdown.
Maiwada reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to transparency and trade facilitation, noting that this initiative reinforces Nigeria’s leadership role in regional integration and cross-border cooperation.
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