Buy & ship a car to Nigeria

Exporting a car to Nigeria

Cars for Nigeria come in through Lagos (Tin Can & Apapa), with typical sea transit of 25 to 32 days from the UK and Europe. We book the sailing and prepare the export documents for the vehicle's arrival.

Vehicles for Nigeria land at Lagos, where two terminals, Tin Can Island and Apapa, sit side by side and take most of the country's car traffic. Nigeria 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 English, which removes one of the more common sources of delay: the export file we raise in the UK and the file the clearing side works from say the same thing in the same language.

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 Destination duty, VAT and customs clearance are not included and we do not quote duty: it is set by Nigeria customs and turns on the vehicle and its declared value.

Import duty in Nigeria

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 We do not quote duty: check the current rules with customs or a licensed clearing agent before you order.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

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

Typical sea transit from the UK and Europe to Lagos (Tin Can & Apapa) is 25 to 32 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 Nigeria?

Lagos (Tin Can & Apapa). Vehicles for Nigeria land at Lagos, where two terminals, Tin Can Island and Apapa, sit side by side and take most of the country's car traffic.

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

Nigeria 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 Nigeria?

English, the same language as the export file we raise in the UK, which takes one whole category of mismatch out of the clearance at Lagos.

What does a delivered quote to Nigeria cover?

The vehicle, export documentation, freight to Lagos 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 Nigeria?

We do not quote duty.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

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