Nigerians can now independently verify vehicle duty payment status online with ₦15,000

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced a digital platform, the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), that allows Nigerians to verify the status of imported vehicles and determine the corresponding duty payment within minutes.

This innovative platform grants vehicle owners the latitude of independently verifying their vehicle’s status using their Vehicle Identification Number and a verification fee of N15,000.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Trade Modernization Project, in collaboration with the NCS and Afripoint Consult, has introduced this groundbreaking digital platform that revolutionizes the way imported vehicles are verified and cleared in Nigeria.

The Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) is designed to streamline the vehicle clearance process, reduce delays, and eliminate fraud.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, explained that the CVMS is a significant step towards modernizing the NCS and improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

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

The CVMS allows vehicle owners to verify their vehicle’s status using their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and a verification fee of N15,000. The platform uses advanced technology to provide real-time validated data, eliminating inconsistencies and reducing the risk of revenue leakage.

The platform is designed to empower citizens, importers, and dealers with verifiable data, while helping customs officers eliminate manual bottlenecks and standardize operations across commands. The CVMS also enables the public to make informed purchase decisions, reducing the risk of buying stolen or unregistered vehicles.

Adeniyi noted that the CVMS has been in trial mode for about two months and is now fully operational, accessible from anywhere in the world. He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the platform and enjoy the benefits of a more efficient and transparent vehicle clearance process.

The introduction of the CVMS is a significant milestone in the modernization of the NCS and a testament to the agency’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve service delivery.

With the CVMS, Nigerians can now verify their imported vehicle’s status with ease, reducing the risk of delays and fraud associated with manual verification processes.