New Vehicle Import Policy Mandates Pre-Shipment Certification
The Federal Government has formally launched a new regulatory framework that bars all imported vehicles from entering Nigeria without prior certification, shifting vehicle import oversight from post-arrival inspection to mandatory pre-shipment verification.
The policy, officially named the Standard Organisation of Nigeria–National Automotive Design and Development Council Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (SON-NADDC VehCAP), introduces a strict “no certification, no entry” requirement for both new and used vehicles. The government announced the initiative on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop in Abuja.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, clarified that the programme is now a full government policy, not a pilot scheme. “I want to clarify again that this is not a proposal or a pilot. This has become government policy and takes immediate effect upon commencement,” he said.
Under the new regime, all vehicles must obtain pre-shipment certification before they can be processed for importation. Enoh explained that the certification is required before Form M approval, customs valuation, foreign exchange processing, import clearance, and market entry. “No vehicle or automotive product shall be imported, cleared, registered or licensed without valid certification. Any non-compliant import shall be subject to refusal of clearance, seizure, or sanctions under applicable laws,” he stated.
Enoh acknowledged concerns regarding calls to ban used vehicles, popularly known as “Tokunbo,” and urged a balanced approach. He said, “There are economic challenges, there is purchasing power, and there is also the capacity of local assemblers to meet demand. But at the very minimum, if we adhere strictly to existing regulations, such as limits on the age of imported vehicles, our problem will not be nearly as bad as it is.”
The minister linked the policy to rising road accidents linked to substandard vehicles. “Too many Nigerians have died from accidents caused by vehicles that fell short of required standards. Nigeria deserves better, and this government is determined to deliver better,” he added.
Implementation of the VehCAP programme will involve multiple agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Nigerian Ports Authority. Enoh stated that Customs would ensure no vehicle is cleared without certification, while the CBN would align foreign exchange approvals with compliance requirements. State governments are also expected to align vehicle registration systems with VehCAP requirements.
Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Joseph Osanipin, said the programme shifts the system from “inspect after arrival” to “verify before entry.” He noted that Nigeria’s automotive market, one of Africa’s largest, has long struggled with poorly verified used vehicles. “Many vehicles enter without adequate checks on safety condition, emissions performance, and lifecycle history. This has led to mechanical failures, increased accident severity, and circulation of substandard components,” he said.
Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said the initiative introduces “a more structured, preventive, and standards-driven approach,” adding that it would enhance transparency and support industrial growth.
The VehCAP programme builds on the existing SON Conformity Assessment Programme but establishes a sector-specific framework for the automotive industry. The government said the success of the initiative would depend on strong inter-agency collaboration and strict enforcement.