The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a major leap in its digital transformation journey with the launch of the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) — a real-time online platform that enables Nigerians to confirm the clearance and duty payment status of imported vehicles within minutes.
Unveiled on Monday at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, said the innovation marks “a bold step toward transparency, accountability, and efficiency” in customs operations.
“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 building on collaboration with the private sector and the delivery of innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency.”
He explained that the CVMS replaces the long-standing manual verification process that was prone to fraud, misinformation, and revenue leakages, adding that the platform offers a simple, seamless, and secure way to validate vehicle import duties.
“For the first time, Nigerians can verify the clearance and duty status of any imported vehicle directly from Customs—without intermediaries, without delays, and without doubt,” he said.
Developed in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and indigenous tech firm Afripoint Consult, the CVMS forms part of Customs’ broader trade automation reform agenda.
The Managing Director of Afripoint Consult, Ajibola Adetula, described the platform as a “homegrown, bifocal innovation” designed for both public users 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,” Adetula stated.
After two months of successful testing, the CVMS is now fully operational and globally accessible. Users can verify vehicles by inputting their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and paying a ₦15,000 verification fee via local or international debit/credit cards.
According to Adeniyi, the new digital system empowers car buyers, importers, and dealers with credible, verifiable information while enabling Customs officers to detect anomalies and enforce compliance more effectively.
“This new system empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust,” the CGC said.
He added that the CVMS provides real-time validated data, analytics, and reporting tools, allowing officers to make smarter and faster operational decisions while enhancing collaboration across enforcement units.
The CVMS rollout aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing digital transformation and anti-corruption drive, under the Trade Modernisation Project — a 20-year concession aimed at automating Customs processes, improving trade facilitation, and boosting revenue generation.
By centralising all vehicle clearance records into a single digital database, the Customs Service aims to reduce smuggling, eliminate fake clearance documents, and move Nigeria closer to a fully automated trade system by 2030.
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