LWDAFRICA
Buyer guide

Importing a car to Nigeria in 2026: a plain guide

This guide explains how a car gets from the UK, Europe, the UAE or China to Nigeria when you buy through LWD Africa, which parts we handle, which parts sit with you, and which questions only Nigeria Customs Service can answer. We have kept it to what we can state with certainty. Where the answer depends on rules that change, we say so and tell you who to ask.

What we can say with certainty, and what we cannot

Nigeria drives on the right, so left-hand drive is the standard specification we supply for Nigerian buyers. Cars we ship to Nigeria arrive by sea through Lagos (Tin Can & Apapa). The typical sea transit we publish for Nigeria is 25 to 32 days from the UK and Europe; sailings from Asia and the Gulf take longer, and the exact sailing is confirmed only when shipping is booked.

What we do not state is the import duty, the levies, the VAT, any vehicle age limit or any registration requirement. These are set by the Nigerian authorities, they are revised from time to time, and the figure for a particular car depends on the car itself and how it is valued at entry. We do not quote duty. Before you order, confirm the current rules with Nigeria Customs Service or a licensed clearing agent in Nigeria. If anyone gives you a duty figure without seeing the exact vehicle and its documents, treat it as a guess.

Step 1: choose the car

There are three ways to buy. You can order a car that is listed as in stock, with its grade, engine, drive side, origin and fixed price on its own page. You can ask us to source a car that is not listed, at or under the budget you give us. Or, if you already own a car abroad, you can ask us to ship it.

For Nigeria, the questions worth settling before you choose are practical ones. Is the car left-hand drive? Is the model year acceptable under the current Nigerian rules? Is the fuel type suited to where it will be driven and serviced? Can you get parts and servicing for it locally? We can tell you the specification of the car. Only you, your local workshop and the customs authority can tell you how it fits your situation in Nigeria.

Step 2: see the total before you commit

At checkout you choose Nigeria as the destination and pick a shipping method. The vehicle price, the estimated shipping to Lagos (Tin Can & Apapa) and optional marine insurance are shown together before you place the order. That total does not include Nigerian duty, VAT, levies, port charges at your end or clearance. Those are paid in Nigeria, in naira, and they are your responsibility.

Prices on the site are shown in US dollars for West African visitors. Orders are recorded by the server, and the amount you are asked to pay is the amount the server works out, not a figure typed into a form.

Step 3: pay in full, then we buy and ship

Every order is paid in full before any car is bought or any shipping is booked. There is no part payment. Only the payment methods shown at checkout are open; if a method is not shown, it is not available. After you place the order, the payment page shows the exact amount and instructions. Send proof of payment on WhatsApp with your order reference so we can match it quickly.

If you asked us to source a car and we cannot find one at or under your stated budget, you get your money back by the route stated on the order. We do not ask you to top up.

Step 4: documents

Before the car ships, we send you the VIN and the export documents. For clearance in Nigeria, buyers typically need the bill of lading, the commercial invoice, the vehicle's export or registration document showing the VIN, and their own identification. This list is general. Nigeria Customs Service decides what it requires for a given entry and may ask for more, so confirm the exact list with them or with your clearing agent before the car arrives.

Check that the chassis number, the name of the consignee and the declared value agree on every document. Mismatches between documents are a common reason a car waits at the port.

Step 5: arrival and clearance in Nigeria

When the vessel arrives, the car is discharged at the port and must be cleared through customs before it can leave. Clearance, duty and any port charges at your end are handled and paid in Nigeria. Many buyers use a licensed clearing agent for this. How long clearance takes depends on the port, the documents and the time of year, and we do not promise a date for it.

Once the car is cleared, registration is a matter for the Nigerian authorities. Ask your clearing agent or the licensing office what you will need.

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing the car before checking the current customs rules. Comparing a car's price abroad with a price in Lagos without adding shipping, insurance, duty and clearance. Paying for a car based on photographs that are not of the actual vehicle. On our listings we state whether the photographs are of the unit or are manufacturer images, and the VIN and export documents come to you before shipping.

Finally, keep your payment on the route the checkout gives you. We never ask for payment to a personal account over WhatsApp, and we never ask for wallet passwords or recovery phrases.

Questions

How much is import duty on a car in Nigeria?
We do not quote duty. It is set by the Nigerian authorities, changes from time to time and depends on the vehicle. Confirm the current figure with Nigeria Customs Service or a licensed clearing agent before you order.
Is there an age limit on cars imported into Nigeria?
Rules on vehicle age can change, so we do not state one. Check the current rules with Nigeria Customs Service before you choose a car.
Which port do cars for Nigeria arrive at?
Lagos (Tin Can & Apapa). Typical sea transit from the UK and Europe is 25 to 32 days; the sailing is confirmed when shipping is booked.
When do I pay?
You pay in full before we buy the car or book shipping. A saved order or enquiry is not a payment.

Where to go next

See cars in stockAsk on WhatsApp

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