Nigerians can now verify the status of imported vehicles and the amount of duty payable independently via a digital platform with their Vehicle Identification Number and a verification fee of N15,000 using any locally or internationally issued debit or credit card.

Previously, Nigerians relied on intermediaries to verify vehicle status and determine the correct duty payable, which caused delay and fraud; however, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), a new digital platform that streamlines the process.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the platform, which was unveiled in Abuja, allows Nigerians to verify the status of any imported vehicle and determine the corresponding duty payment within minutes.

Adeniyi explained that the new verification system was developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project and indigenous technology firm, Afripoint Consult, to resolve long-standing challenges associated with vehicle clearance and documentation.

He said for years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods, systems that left room for misinformation, fraud and revenue leakage, costing the country significantly.

Adeniyi explained that the platform would provide a centralised digital system where vehicle records can be traced, verified and confirmed within minutes, while improving the efficiency of Customs enforcement units, the federal operations units, and other relevant arms of the Service.

“With CVMS, we are introducing a simple, seamless, and secure way to verify vehicle duty payment status,” Adeniyi said.

According to him, the digital platform, which has been in trial mode for about two months, is now fully operational and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

“Nigerians can verify vehicles by entering the Vehicle Identification Number and paying a N15, 000 verification fee using any debit or credit card issued locally or internationally,” he stated.

Adeniyi explained that the system was built to empower citizens, importers and dealers with verifiable data, while helping customs officers eliminate manual bottlenecks, standardise operations across commands and strengthen enforcement capabilities.

He noted that the system also democratises access to verified information, enabling the public to make informed purchase decisions, while it eliminates inconsistencies and provides real-time validated data that improves decision-making for Customs officers. (The Guardian)