The Nigerian government has begun implementing a duty-free regime for privately owned vehicles temporarily brought into, or passing through, Nigeria by international travellers, according to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

NCS spokesperson, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, announced the new procedure in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He explained that the framework applied strictly to personal, non-commercial vehicles belonging to foreigners or Nigerians resident abroad visiting the country for tourism, diplomatic engagements, business trips or private reasons.

According to the statement, the initiative was designed to make cross-border travel easier, boost Nigeria’s adherence to international agreements, and support trade facilitation and regional integration efforts.

Maiwada noted that the policy was backed by Sections 142, 143, 144 and 245 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, as well as several global conventions, 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 complies with World Customs Organisation guidelines on temporary vehicle admission and the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) system.

Travellers are required to present their international passport, international driver’s licence, vehicle registration papers, insurance and CPD documents at the border. Once these are verified, Customs will issue a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit valid for up to 90 days, which will also be recorded electronically. A single 30-day extension may be granted at the discretion of the relevant Customs Area Controller.

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Vehicles admitted under the scheme may be driven freely anywhere in Nigeria but must not be sold, transferred, altered, leased or used for commercial activity. On departure, the vehicle and the approved Temporary Admission Declaration must be presented to Customs. Any incidents such as theft, accident or mechanical failure must be promptly reported to the nearest Customs office.

The statement added that the Nigeria Customs Service remained committed to accountability and transparency while supporting lawful travel, saying the policy would strengthen regional cooperation and enhance security and regulatory compliance.