In a major move to facilitate international travel and regional integration, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially launched a new policy granting “safe passage” to personal, foreign-registered vehicles entering the country.
Announced today, Wednesday, 7 January 2026, the framework allows international travellers, including tourists, diplomats, and business professionals, to bring their vehicles into Nigeria for up to 90 days without paying standard import duties.
The policy is designed to align Nigeria with global trade standards like the Revised Kyoto Convention and the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement.
Vehicles are granted an initial stay of three months, and travellers can apply for a 30-day extension, provided they receive approval from a Customs Area Controller before the initial 90 days expire.
The permit applies only to personal, non-commercial vehicles. Any attempt to use the vehicle for hire, lease, or sale will result in immediate seizure and legal action.
The vehicle must also exit the country in the same condition it entered, barring normal wear and tear.
To benefit from the safe passage arrangement, travelers must present the following at any Nigerian land border or port:
Valid International Passport (with appropriate visa/entry stamp).
International Driver’s License.
Original Vehicle Registration Documents from the home country.
Valid International Insurance (Yellow Card for ECOWAS residents).
Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD): This acts as a “passport” for the vehicle, guaranteeing that it will be re-exported.
Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed that all permits will be electronically recorded in the NCS central system to prevent overstaying.
The vehicle and its approved Temporary Admission Declaration must be presented to Customs officials at the point of exit to “close” the record, and in the event of a theft, accident, or mechanical breakdown that prevents the vehicle from leaving on time, owners must immediately notify the nearest Customs office to avoid penalties for overstaying.
This policy is a significant shift from the 2024–2025 period, which was characterized by strict border closures and high penalties for “improperly imported” vehicles. By formalizing temporary admission, the Nigerian government aims to boost cross-border tourism, encouraging road trips and overland travel from neighboring Benin, Niger, and Cameroon.
It is also touted to ease diplomatic missions thus simplifying logistics for international organizations, as well as a reduction in smuggling with the provision of a legal, duty-free pathway for temporary visitors that reduces the incentive for “backdoor” entries.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to transparency and the facilitation of legitimate travel… we are making Nigeria more accessible while maintaining rigorous security oversight.” – Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, Deputy Comptroller of Customs.
