Nigeria Customs Seizes Stolen Canadian Cars

In the wake of incidents like the interception of stolen Canadian cars at Apapa Port, buyers and importers must take extra precautions. A VIN check is your first line of defense against scams and legal trouble when dealing with overseas vehicles. Think of it as a passport check for cars—no one should travel without one, and no car should be bought without verifying its identity.

Performing a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check before purchasing a car—especially from overseas—is critical for protecting yourself from financial loss, legal issues, and the risk of vehicle seizure, as highlighted in the May 22, 2025 report by Punch Nigeria, where Customs officials at Apapa Port intercepted stolen cars from Canada and drugs worth N3.2 billion.

🔍 What Is a VIN Check?

A VIN check involves running a car’s unique 17-character alphanumeric Vehicle Identification Number through a database to reveal the car’s history and legal status. This check can uncover:

• Theft or loss reports

• Accident and damage history

• Title status (e.g., salvage, rebuilt, clean)

• Odometer rollback or tampering

• Lien or outstanding finance

• Export/import records

• Ownership history

🛑 Why a VIN Check Is Crucial When Importing Cars

1. Avoid Buying a Stolen Vehicle

As the Punch article demonstrates, cars stolen in Canada were intercepted at Nigerian ports. If you unknowingly buy a stolen vehicle:

• Customs can seize the car without compensation.

• You could face legal consequences or investigation.

• You lose both the car and your investment.

VIN checks will flag the vehicle as stolen if reported in global databases like:

• Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC)

• National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) in the U.S.

• Interpol’s Stolen Motor Vehicle Database

2. Verify Legal Export Status

Some cars are illegally exported without the original owner’s consent or before loans are repaid. A VIN check will:

• Show if the car has outstanding liens or loans

• Reveal if the car has a clear export status

Buying a car that’s not legally cleared for export can lead to seizure at customs.

3. Avoid Financial Loss

Importing a car involves significant costs: shipping, customs duties, taxes, and clearing fees. If the car is:

• Confiscated, you can’t recover these expenses.

• Blocked, you may face delays or penalties.

A VIN check is a low-cost step that can prevent multi-million naira losses.

4. Ensure Compliance with Local Laws

Countries like Nigeria have strict importation rules, such as:

• No cars older than a certain year

• Ban on salvaged or flood-damaged vehicles

• Verification of customs clearance certificates

A VIN report shows:

• Model year

• Previous use (e.g., taxi, private, salvage)

• Damage or flood history

🛠️ How to Perform a VIN Check

Trusted  Sources:

• Verifyithq-https://verifyithq.com/vehicle-history-reports/

• Autobayng-https://autobayng.com/vehicle-history-report/

• NICB (Free basic stolen check for U.S. vehicles)

• Transport Canada / CPIC for Canadian cars

Nigerian-Specific Services:

• Nigeria Customs Service (NCS): Verify if a vehicle has passed customs checks and duties.

• National Vehicle Identification System (NVIS): Used for post-import verification.

• 🛠️ How to Perform a Customs Checks

  Trusted  Sources:

   

• Verifyithq-https://verifyithq.com/customs-duty/
• Autobayng-https://autobayng.com/customs-duty/

✅ Summary: Key Benefits of a VIN Check