Type species: Neocancila papilio (Link, 1807).
Shell to 60.0 mm in length, fusiform-elongate, solid. Teleoconch of 6-9 convex or subangulate whorls, protoconch of 2-3 smooth, glassy and conical embryonic whorls. Sculpture predominantly decussate and beaded, consisting of bisecting spiral and axial grooves which give rise to elongated fillets or nodules. Aperture moderately narrow, shorter or longer than the spire, smooth within, outer lip thickened and crimped or obsoletely crenulate, distinctly angulate anteriorly; columella calloused anteriorly and with 4-5 prominent, oblique folds, siphonal canal short or moderately produced, siphonal notch distinct. Periostracum thin and translucent.
The radula of Neocancilla differs from other mitrid genera. The rachidian has 2 massive main cusps which are flanked at either side by 1-2 overlapping and deeply rooted side-cusps; laterals are of modified mitrid shape, stunted and narrow, with only 4-6 cusps and 1-3 small denticles and the posterior one-half of the lateral plate is often bare.
The group contains only 8 living species and 1 subspecies, of which 7 live in the Indo-Pacific region and 1 species is endemic to the W. African faunal province.