Buy & ship a car to Cape Verde

Exporting a car to Cape Verde

Cars for Cape Verde cross by sea to Praia & Mindelo, typically 18 to 24 days from the UK and Europe, the shortest crossing of anywhere we ship to, because the islands sit well out into the Atlantic on the European side of the continent. The useful question here is not only which port but which island: tell us the final address and we route the vehicle to the terminal that serves it rather than the one that looks nearest on a map.

Cape Verde is an archipelago, so the destination is an island rather than a coastline: Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente are the two ports, and which one you use depends on which island the car is going to. Cape Verde 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 documentation is in Portuguese. We prepare the export side in English and make sure the two sets of documents agree on the detail that matters: chassis number, declared value, consignee, because that is where mismatches surface.

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 Destination duty, VAT and customs clearance are not included and we do not quote duty: it is set by Cape Verde customs and turns on the vehicle and its declared value.

Import duty in Cape Verde

This is a general overview, not a quote. Import duty, VAT and any levies are set by Cape Verde customs and paid in CVE 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 We do not quote duty: check the current rules with customs or a licensed clearing agent before you order.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 Cape Verde 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 Cape Verde

How do cars reach Cape Verde?

By sea, to Praia & Mindelo. Typical transit from the UK and Europe is 18 to 24 days. Because Cape Verde is an archipelago the routing depends on the island the car is going to, so we confirm the port against your delivery address before booking.

Which port do you use for Cape Verde?

Praia / Mindelo. Cape Verde is an archipelago, so the destination is an island rather than a coastline: Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente are the two ports, and which one you use depends on which island the car is going to.

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

Cape Verde 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 Cape Verde?

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

What does a delivered quote to Cape Verde cover?

The vehicle, export documentation, freight to Praia 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 Cape Verde?

We do not quote duty. Import duty, VAT and any levies are set by Cape Verde 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 Cape Verde?

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