How To Ship Any Car To Nigeria; How Much Does It Cost Generally

When you think about common car brands in Nigeria like Toyota, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes Benz etc; then you should know these cars are not manufactured in Nigeria. So, how do these cars get into Nigeria? Simple; these cars get shipped into Nigeria! Cars are often shipped into Nigeria from various parts of the world including the USA, China etc. 

Getting involved in the car shipping business requires one has the right kind of knowledge; either you are shipping a car for your personal use or to resell in Nigeria. In this article, carmart.ng covers the essential parts you need to know about shipping a car into Nigeria and how much it will cost you.

Types Of Shipping Method

There are two major means you can make use of to ship your car to Nigeria from any part of the world. It’s important you are aware of these methods so that you can know the best one that is suitable for the vehicle you are bringing in, the expected time of arrival and the estimated cost involved. 

1. RoRo Shipping

Of the two shipping methods, RoRo shipping is the most affordable means to ship cars to Nigeria. It simply means Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo). Your car has to be in working condition to effectively be shipped by this method. Your car will be driven onto and off of the ship and tied to the deck for security and minimal exposure to the ocean. Arrival and departure time for RoRo shipping is more predictable compared to container shipping.

2. Container shipping

Container shipping is of two types:

• Shared container shipping
• Exclusive container shipping

Shared container shipping implies your car is shipped alongside other vehicles in an enclosed container. The disadvantage to this method is that you have to wait until the container is full before you can have your car shipped. In this method, your car does not have to be in working condition, you will still get it.

Exclusive container shipping is just as the name implies. When you want special treatment for your ‘dear car’, exclusive container shipping is what you should go for as your car will be the only one in the container. Exotic cars like Bentleys, Ferraris, Aston Martins, etc are often shipped this way. However, it’s the most expensive of all the shipping methods.

Things You Have To Know Before Shipping A Car Into Nigeria

1. Vehicles older than 15 years are not accepted into Nigeria. Hence, when making the choice of a car to buy, go for cars lesser than 15 years old.
2. Right-hand drive vehicles are not allowed in Nigeria, according to the 2012 National Road Traffic Regulation. Do your thorough research to be sure the car is left-hand drive.
3. Calculate your total shipping cost, import duty and other levies you have to pay. Ensure you have enough money stashed away in your account.
4. Once your car has been successfully inspected by the customs, you will get a Vehicle Identification Tag (VIT) and then you have to address the Federal Road Service Commission.
5. All NEW vehicles require a FORM M obtained by the consignee in Nigeria prior to shipping.
6. A clear Title of Ownership with no Liens on the Title.
7. If you bought a car new, then your name must be listed on the front of the Title as the registered owner.
8. If the vehicle has been sold, then both the Seller and Buyer have to sign the back of the Title in the spaces as detailed on the back of the Title.

For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot have more than a ¼ tank of gas

Cost Of Shipping Accidented Cars From The USA To Nigeria

Buying an accident car from the USA and shipping it to Nigeria has added fees and charges. Here is a breakdown of the estimated shipping cost of accident cars from the USA to Nigeria:

• You have to pay an auction fee when you are buying through an Auction abroad;
• you pay the shipping cost to the foreign country;
• you pay clearing fees and different port charges;
• your pay includes customs duty, levy, and VAT;
• you get charged for the commission,which goes to shipping and clearing agents;
• you pay charges to the shipping company at the delivery point;
• the costs also may include some miscellaneous expenses.

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Cost Of Shipping Cars To Nigeria

The departure port and arrival port influences the overall cost of shipping a car into Nigeria. Two popular countries where cars are shipped into Nigeria are the USA and China.

Cost of Shipping Cars from the USA to Nigeria

Departure Port to Nigeria	Approximate Price
Ship Car from Wilmington, Delaware to Nigeria	$970 – $1300
Ship Car from Long Beach, CA, California to Nigeria	$1650 to $1850.00 (Shared container only)
Ship Car from Galveston, TX to Nigeria	$1095.00 – $1450
Ship Car from Jacksonville, Florida to Nigeria	$995 – $1350
Ship Car from Newark, New Jersey to Nigeria	$970 – $1650
Ship Car from Baltimore, Maryland to Nigeria	$970 – $1350
Ship Car from Savannah, Georgia to Nigeria	$995.00 – $1300

Cost of shipping cars from China to Nigeria

Port of Loading	Price
Shanghai to Lagos Nigeria	from: $2990
Shanghai to Lagos Nigeria	from: $3500
Shenzhen to Lagos Nigeria	from: $3650
Ningbo-Zhoushan to Lagos Nigeria	from: $3990
Guangzhou to Lagos Nigeria	from: $3600
Qingdao to Lagos Nigeria	from: $3750
Tianjin to Lagos Nigeria	from: $4100
Xiamen to Lagos Nigeria	from: $3500
Dalian to Lagos Nigeria	from: $3500

Popular Ports In Nigeria Where You Can Ship Your Car To

• Lagos Port Complex
• Tin Can Island Port
• Calabar Port
• Rivers Port Complex
• Onne Port
• Apapa Port

General Guide On Shipping A Car Into Nigeria

1. Product Research

Research is a crucial step in shipping because there are many suppliers and products out there. Lack of quality research might make you fall prey to online predators with scam websites. Depending on the type of car you want, search for it carefully, compare the prices and make a choice.

2. Evaluate The Importation Process In Nigeria

Every country has its rules and regulations concerning what can enter its border. Certain cars are classified as prohibited or contraband; you need to be aware of this so you don’t become a criminal.  Study the import regulations and find out what the relevant documents are demanded of importers. The easiest way to get sufficient and accurate information about the Nigerian importation process is to visit the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) website or to get in touch with a reputable shipping agent or company.

3. Secure A Reliable Supplier

A reliable supplier is good for your safe shipping of products to Nigeria from any part of the world. Once you find a reliable supplier, initiate contact to find out the following:

• Price per unit
• Factory of origin
• Customs fee
• Transportation and logistical costs
• Discounts (if any)

If you are comfortable with the terms on offer, demand the sales contract, which will include the Name and address of the manufacturer, business license number, Seller’s name, and address, car specifications, and every other vital information about the car.

4. Pick A Preferable Shipping Method

The kind of car you are shipping and how urgent you need it also influences the shipping method you can take advantage of. 

5. Import Duty

Also, bear in mind that import duty is part of the charges you need to pay when shipping cars in Nigeria from any part of the world. Below is a general guide on how import duty is calculated on cars shipped to Nigeria;

• *7% Surcharge = 7% of Base Duty
• *0.5% TLS ( Ecowas Levy ) = 0.5% of CIF Value
• *1% CISS ( Inspection Fee ) = 1.0% of FOB Price
• *5% VAT = 5% of ( CIF + Duty + Surcharge + TLS + CISS )

NOTE:

C.I.F

C = Cost (FOB Value)

I = Insurance

F = Freight