FG Opens 90-Day Compliance Window for Vehicles Amid VehCAP Enforcement Push

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has announced a 90-day grace period for automobile importers to regularise their vehicles under the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP).

In an official response, SON and NADDC clarified that VehCAP is not a new regulatory regime, but an enhancement of existing conformity assessment frameworks aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and transparency in the automotive importation and production value chain.

According to the statement, vehicles arriving in Nigeria without VehCAP certification will not be stranded or stopped at the ports, but will be allowed to proceed through the normal customs clearance process. Importers will then be required to present the vehicles for mandatory destination inspection and in-country verification of conformity at designated testing centres.

The government has provided a 90-day transition window upon full commencement of the programme, during which vehicles imported without VehCAP certification will continue to be eligible for in-country conformity assessment.

“” Grace period will enable automobile importers to regularise vehicles under VehCAP. Vehicles without certification proceed through customs, then undergo inspection and verification.
“A 90-day transition window allows alignment with requirements. VehCAP aims to protect lives, ensure product quality, and enforce standards,” stated the statement
The objective of VehCAP is to protect human lives, ensure product quality, and enforce compliance with national standards, particularly in view of the safety implications associated with substandard or unregulated vehicle imports.

The government assures stakeholders of its commitment to inclusiveness and will continue to engage the public throughout the implementation of the programme.