Buy & ship a car to Benin (Cotonou)

Exporting a car to Benin

Cars for Benin come in through Cotonou, with typical sea transit of 24 to 30 days from the UK and Europe. We book the sailing and prepare the export documents for the vehicle's arrival.

Porto-Novo is the official capital but Cotonou is the commercial centre and the port, so vehicles clear at Cotonou whatever the final address. Benin drives on the right, so left-hand drive is the standard specification and it is what we supply unless you ask otherwise; right-hand drive is available from UK stock when you specifically want it. Destination paperwork is handled in French. We raise the export documents in the UK and align them with the French-language entry documents before the vessel arrives, rather than discovering a mismatch at the quay.

We buy the exact vehicle in the UK, Europe or Asia, inspect it before it moves, and take it from there: export declarations and the bill of lading, RO-RO or container, whichever suits the vehicle, and marine insurance if you want the cover. For cars in stock, checkout shows the vehicle, estimated freight and optional marine insurance together before you commit. For sourcing requests, shipping is quoted separately once the car is found. You pay in full before we buy the car or book shipping. Destination duty, VAT and customs clearance are not included and we do not quote duty: it is set by Benin customs and turns on the vehicle and its declared value. Cotonou is also the way in for Niger, so if the car is really headed further inland, say so and we quote the corridor as part of the same job.

Import duty in Benin

This is a general overview, not a quote. Import duty, VAT and any levies are set by Benin customs and paid in XOF at clearance. They usually depend on the vehicle, its age and its declared value, and the rules can change. We do not quote duty: check the current rules with customs or a licensed clearing agent before you order. Our price covers the vehicle, freight and optional insurance only.

What goes into your delivered price

Every element set out line by line, with the estimated parts marked as estimates until the exact vehicle and route are confirmed.

Vehicle purchase

Sourced at the right price from UK auctions, European dealer stock, US inventory or Asian OEMs.

Export documentation

Bill of lading, export declarations and compliance paperwork prepared for you.

Sea freight

RO-RO or container from Southampton, Antwerp, Bremerhaven or Shanghai to your port.

Marine insurance

Optional full-value cover so your vehicle arrives protected.

Customs & duty at destination

Import duty, VAT and clearance are paid by the buyer and are not included in our price. We do not quote duty; confirm current rules with destination customs.

Inland delivery

Optional: delivered to your address after clearance, or collect at the port. Your choice.

Our sourcing fee

Stated up front and included in the total delivered cost breakdown.

Every vehicle in the directory now shows a price, and shipping to Benin is estimated instantly on the vehicle's own page, so you can see most of this figure before you speak to anyone. Freight and duties still change with the vehicle and destination, so we confirm the exact numbers in writing with your quote.

Shipping a car to Benin

How long does it take to ship a car to Benin?

Typical sea transit from the UK and Europe to Cotonou is 24 to 30 days, depending on the sailing schedule and whether the car travels RO-RO or in a container. Customs clearance at your end sits on top of that, and the sailing date is confirmed when shipping is booked.

Which port do you use for Benin?

Cotonou. Porto-Novo is the official capital but Cotonou is the commercial centre and the port, so vehicles clear at Cotonou whatever the final address.

Does a car for Benin have to be left-hand drive?

Benin drives on the right, so left-hand drive is the standard specification and what we supply unless you say otherwise. Right-hand drive is available from UK stock, buyers moving back from Britain often want exactly that, and whichever you choose is stated in the quote so nothing is a surprise at registration.

What language is the paperwork in for Benin?

French. We raise the export documents in English and reconcile them against the French-language entry documents before the vehicle reaches Cotonou, chassis number, declared value and consignee have to agree across both, and that is where delays usually start.

What does a delivered quote to Benin cover?

The vehicle, export documentation, freight to Cotonou and optional marine insurance. Destination duty, VAT and customs clearance are not included. The figures are estimates until the exact vehicle, route and provider are confirmed, and are then set out in writing.

How much is import duty on a car in Benin?

We do not quote duty. Import duty, VAT and any levies are set by Benin customs, can change, and usually depend on the vehicle, its age and its declared value. Check the current rules with customs or a licensed clearing agent before you order; our price does not include them.

What documents will I need to import a car into Benin?

Typically the bill of lading, the commercial invoice, the vehicle's export or registration document and your own identification. Confirm the exact list with Benin customs before the car arrives. We send the VIN and export documents to you before shipping.