Following Federal Government’s import tariffs slash on vehicles by 30 per cent, two Nigeria’s roll-on roll-off terminals, Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) and Five Stars Logistics, have taken delivery of 3,724 units of used vehicles during the first quarter of the year.

The Federal Government in April reduced import tariffs on fully-built passenger vehicles, fourwheel drive, and station wagons to 40 per cent from 70 per cent, under the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM). According to the government, the 30 per cent reduction is aimed at curbing high vehicle ownership costs and easing transportation challenges.

Also, zero import duties were granted to electric vehicles and mass transit buses to promote cleaner and affordable transportation. Prior to duty reduction, importers of vehicles were paying 20 per cent import duty, 15 per cent NAC levy, 7.5 per cent VAT, and 2 per cent–4 per cent Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) depending on engine capacity under the 2026 tariff structure.

However, recent findings from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s Shipping Position revealed that the new units of vehicles were delivered by seven vessels between April and May 2026 at Tincan Island Port terminals. The shipping data revealed that three of ships berthed at Five Stars logistics with 1,574 units with Bergamot Ace leading with 974 units of vehicles; Grand Pioneer, 300 units and Glovis sonic, 300 units.

Also, the PTML took delivery of 2,150 units of vehicles, according to the shipping data, noting that Great Cotonou discharged 500 units; Great Antwerp, 500 units of new vehicles; Grande Angola, 250 units and Grand Cotonou, 400 units.

Meanwhile, NPA said it had handled 58,870 units of vehicles during the quarter of 2026, leading to 67 per cent increase from 35,262 units in the same period last year.

Recall that the Federal Government launched a new vehicle conformity regime aimed at eliminating unsafe and substandard automobile imports, declaring that no vehicle would be allowed into Nigeria without certification under the SON– NADDC Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP).

The initiative was unveiled at a stakeholder sensitisation workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in Abuja. The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Eno, said the programme represented a shift from fragmented regulation to a coordinated,