Customs Launches Electronic Platform to Curb Vehicle Smuggling and Boost Revenue

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a new electronic platform designed to tackle the long-standing problem of vehicle smuggling, improve transparency, and enhance revenue collection. The initiative, unveiled at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, represents a major step toward digital transformation within the service and aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing drive to modernize trade operations across the country.

Speaking during the launch, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated that the new system would provide an efficient and transparent process for vehicle registration, duty payment, and clearance verification. According to him, the platform aims to eliminate the loopholes that smugglers and fraudulent importers have exploited for years, costing the government billions of naira in lost revenue.

“The launch of this e-platform marks a new dawn for Nigeria’s customs operations,” Adeniyi said. “For decades, smuggling and under-declaration of vehicles have posed serious challenges to our revenue generation and border security. This digital system will ensure that every vehicle in Nigeria is properly documented, with duties paid through verified and traceable channels.”

He explained that the platform, known as the Vehicle Registration and Information System (VRIS), is integrated with key agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This integration, Adeniyi noted, would enable real-time data sharing and make it easier to track vehicle ownership and compliance with customs regulations.

Under the new arrangement, vehicle owners and dealers can log onto the portal to confirm the authenticity of import documents, verify payment status, and access customs valuation information. The system will also help identify vehicles that entered the country illegally or have unpaid duties, allowing enforcement officers to act swiftly.

According to Adeniyi, the new digital tool is not only a reform measure but also part of a broader effort to encourage voluntary compliance among importers and car dealers. “We are promoting a culture of transparency where everyone can access accurate data on vehicle importation and registration,” he said. “This will drastically reduce the activities of smugglers and middlemen who take advantage of outdated manual systems.”

The Comptroller-General revealed that the e-platform was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and key stakeholders in the automotive sector. He noted that the project would complement the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance non-oil revenue generation and promote ease of doing business.

“Our goal is to make vehicle clearance and registration seamless, fast, and fully automated. This platform provides a one-stop solution that will benefit not only customs but also the motoring public,” Adeniyi said.

Industry stakeholders, including representatives of automobile dealers and freight forwarders, commended the Customs Service for the innovation, describing it as a timely and strategic intervention. They noted that the introduction of the platform would help curb corruption, reduce human contact during transactions, and restore public confidence in the customs process.

The President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON), Prince Adetokunbo Aromolaran, praised the initiative, stating that it would protect genuine dealers from harassment and unnecessary seizures. “For years, we have faced challenges with inconsistent vehicle documentation and double duty payments. With this platform, every transaction is recorded digitally, making the process more transparent and traceable,” he said.

In addition to curbing smuggling, the platform is expected to aid in national security efforts by helping law enforcement track stolen or illegally imported vehicles. Adeniyi explained that the system would maintain a comprehensive national database that links vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with their import records, making it easier to identify discrepancies or fraudulent entries.

He also disclosed that the platform will soon be extended to cover land borders and seaports nationwide, ensuring uniformity in customs operations. Field officers and border commands have already been trained on the use of the system to ensure smooth implementation.

Adeniyi reaffirmed that the NCS remains committed to leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and revenue generation. “We cannot continue to operate with outdated methods when the world is moving toward automation. This e-platform will not only block revenue leakages but also strengthen our fight against smuggling and economic sabotage,” he added.

The Comptroller-General emphasized that the service will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure strict enforcement. He also warned importers and car dealers to comply with the new digital process or face severe penalties for violations.

According to estimates from the NCS, Nigeria loses over ₦600 billion annually to vehicle smuggling and under-declaration. Analysts believe that the new e-platform could recover a significant portion of these losses and improve the country’s overall revenue profile.

Economic experts have described the development as a game-changer in customs administration. Financial analyst Dr. Kemi Ajayi noted that the system would not only improve accountability but also reduce corruption and manual inefficiencies in port operations. “Digital platforms like this enhance transparency, reduce human interference, and make it easier for businesses to operate. It’s a welcome reform that should be sustained,” she said.

The new platform is part of a broader reform agenda initiated under Adeniyi’s leadership, which includes modernization of border operations, digital tracking of cargo movements, and adoption of electronic payment systems. The NCS has also been working with the World Customs Organization (WCO) to align its operations with global best practices in trade facilitation.

In closing, Adeniyi assured Nigerians that the Customs Service would continue to innovate and deploy digital tools to strengthen the nation’s trade ecosystem. He reiterated that with the launch of the vehicle e-registration platform, the era of unverified importation and revenue leakages in the automobile sector was coming to an end.

“This innovation is more than a system upgrade — it is a commitment to accountability, transparency, and efficiency,” he said. “We are determined to ensure that every vehicle that enters this country is properly documented and that every kobo due to the government is accounted for.”

The new platform is expected to go live nationwide in the coming weeks, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest to modernize customs operations and eradicate vehicle smuggling once and for all.