The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), a locally developed digital platform designed to curb vehicle smuggling, eliminate fraudulent documentation, and streamline duty verification for imported vehicles.

Launched yesterday by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi at Customs headquarters, the CVMS allows users to verify a vehicle’s clearance and duty status using its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), with results delivered in minutes for a N15,000 fee. The system, developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project and Afripoint Consult, draws from a database dating back to 2017 and supports card payments for ease of access.

“This platform democratizes access to verified information,” Adeniyi said, describing CVMS as a “game-changer” in Customs’ modernization efforts. He emphasized its potential to boost revenue, standardize operations, and enhance enforcement through data analytics capable of detecting anomalies.

The initiative was welcomed by stakeholders, including Motor Dealers Association Chairman Ajibola Adedoyin, who praised the move as long overdue. “We’ve demanded this for years to avoid road disputes,” Adedoyin said, noting that the tool will help prevent confrontations between dealers and enforcement officers over duty discrepancies.

CVMS integrates directly with Customs clearance records, flagging under-declared vehicles that contribute to billions in lost revenue annually. It also aims to reduce harassment of legitimate importers and buyers in a market often plagued by illicit trade.