For the first time in Nigeria’s history, citizens can now verify the authenticity of imported vehicles and confirm their duty payment status within minutes, thanks to a new digital platform launched by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), unveiled on Monday at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, marks a major milestone in the Service’s drive to modernise its operations, curb fraud, and promote transparency in vehicle importation and trade.
According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the innovation reflects the Service’s renewed commitment to technological advancement, efficiency, and accountability in customs administration.
“Today marks an important milestone as we head into our ongoing drive to modernise the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Adeniyi said.
“We are hoping to build our progress on collaboration with the private sector, consolidation of our previous gains, and the delivery of innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. The launch of the customs verification management system today is a clear demonstration of that strong commitment.”
Developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and indigenous technology firm Afripoint Consult, the platform offers a simple, seamless, and secure way for Nigerians to confirm the clearance and duty status of any imported vehicle.
Through the CVMS portal, users can enter a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and, after paying a ₦15,000 verification fee, instantly access verified information, anytime, anywhere in the world—using local or international debit or credit cards.
Adeniyi explained that the new system addresses the long-standing challenges of fragmented, manual, and often fraudulent vehicle verification processes that have caused revenue leakage and frustration among legitimate importers and car dealers.
“For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on outdated methods that left room for misinformation, fraud, and inefficiency,” he said. “Recognising the urgency for change, the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with our trade modernisation projects and indigenous technical partners, has developed an innovative homegrown solution to this challenge. With CVMS, we are introducing a simple, seamless, and secure way to verify vehicle duty payment status.”
The Customs boss noted that the CVMS had been in trial mode for about two months before its full rollout, adding that it would significantly improve decision-making, standardise operations, and strengthen enforcement.
“This platform democratizes access to verified information, enabling the public to make informed purchase decisions. For our officers, it eliminates inconsistencies and provides real-time validated data that improves decision-making,” he added.
Adeniyi further stressed that the CVMS aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and supports Customs’ long-term goal of achieving a fully automated border management system by 2030.
“This new system empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust. The platform provides a centralised digital system where vehicle records can be traced, verified, and confirmed within minutes,” he said.
“For the general public, it brings transparency and ease of access. Nigerians can now verify clearance and duty status directly from Customs—without intermediaries, delays, or doubt. This gives citizens, importers, and dealers’ confidence to transact with clarity and certainty, reducing fraud and ensuring every vehicle purchased is backed by verifiable customs data.”
Ajibola Adetula, Managing Director of Afripoint Consult, described the CVMS as a “homegrown, bifocal platform” designed to serve both the public and enforcement officers.
“The system allows the public to quickly confirm if a vehicle was duly cleared by Customs, while officers can cross-check the authenticity of clearance documents even outside working hours. It’s a game-changer for transparency,” he said.
He noted that the platform is integrated with Customs’ clearance database dating back to 2017, allowing verification of any vehicle processed within that period.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, Ajibola Adedoyin, lauded the innovation as a long-overdue relief for car dealers who have long suffered from verification bottlenecks and harassment.
“This will give us something concrete to fall back on whenever there’s a dispute about a vehicle’s clearance status. It’s a welcome relief for our members,” he stated.
The launch of the CVMS forms part of a series of digital initiatives under the Nigeria Customs Trade Modernisation Project, a 20-year concession aimed at improving trade facilitation, boosting revenue, and curbing corruption in customs processes.
By integrating vehicle records into a centralised database, the new platform closes loopholes exploited by smugglers and document forgers—issues that have cost the government significant revenue and strained relations between enforcement units and vehicle dealers.
With the CVMS now fully operational, the Nigeria Customs Service has taken another decisive step toward a future where trade verification, clearance, and enforcement are powered by technology—making customs operations smarter, faster, and more transparent.
