The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that international travellers are allowed to bring in and drive their personal vehicles in Nigeria for a period of up to 90 days, subject to compliance with existing customs regulations.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this in Abuja while explaining the operational framework guiding the issuance of Temporary Importation Permits (TIP) for foreign-registered vehicles entering the country.

Adeniyi said the arrangement was in line with international customs conventions and aimed at easing movement for tourists, expatriates and Nigerians in the diaspora visiting the country with their personal cars.

According to him, the Temporary Importation Permit allows travellers to use their vehicles temporarily without paying full import duty, provided the vehicles are strictly for personal use and all required documentation is completed at designated ports of entry.

“International travellers are permitted to drive their personal vehicles in Nigeria for a maximum of 90 days under the Temporary Importation Permit issued by the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

The Comptroller-General stressed that vehicles imported under the TIP arrangement must not be sold, leased, hired, transferred or used for commercial purposes within the country.

He warned that any violation of the conditions attached to the permit would be treated as a breach of customs laws and could attract severe sanctions.

Adeniyi explained that at the expiration of the 90-day period, the vehicle must be re-exported out of Nigeria, adding that travellers who wish to keep their vehicles beyond the approved period must formally apply for an extension or comply with applicable import duty requirements.

He noted that failure to re-export the vehicle or regularise its status within the stipulated timeframe could result in penalties, seizure of the vehicle and possible prosecution in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act.

The customs boss said the policy was designed to promote tourism, international travel and cross-border mobility, while safeguarding national revenue and security interests.

“Our objective is to balance trade facilitation with effective control. We encourage legitimate travel and tourism, but we will not tolerate abuse of this privilege,” he said.

Adeniyi urged international travellers to seek proper guidance from Nigeria Customs Service officers at ports of entry to ensure full compliance with the guidelines and avoid unnecessary infractions.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to transparency, professionalism and improved service delivery, noting that officers had been directed to strictly adhere to the approved procedures in handling Temporary Importation Permits.