How to Ship a Car from the USA to Nigeria: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

I still remember the first time I helped a friend ship his car from New Jersey to Lagos. We thought it would be as simple as paying for shipping and waiting for the car to arrive. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Between paperwork, customs fees, port clearance, and all the small “surprise” costs that creep in, it felt more like navigating a maze than sending a vehicle across the Atlantic. If you’re reading this, you’re probably either considering buying a car in the U.S. to ship to Nigeria, or maybe you’ve already purchased one and just need to figure out how to get it home. Either way, this guide is going to walk you through the whole process—step by step—without the sugarcoating.

Shipping a car internationally can sound intimidating, but once you understand the moving parts, it becomes far less mysterious. You’ll need to think about choosing the right shipping method, preparing your documents, calculating costs beyond just freight, and deciding whether to handle things yourself or use an agent. Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense for a beginner.

Why People Ship Cars from the U.S. to Nigeria

Let’s start with the “why.” If you’ve lived in Nigeria long enough, you know imported vehicles—especially from the U.S.—carry a certain appeal. Many Nigerians prefer American-used cars over local options because they often come with better maintenance histories and higher quality builds.

Cars like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Lexus RX, and Mercedes-Benz ML are U.S. favorites that you’ll see flooding Nigerian ports. Someone once joked to me that the “Toyota Camry (muscle)” should be declared Nigeria’s unofficial national car. There’s truth in that—because parts are widely available, mechanics know them inside out, and they hold their value.

Another reason is price. Even after paying shipping and customs, certain cars may still end up cheaper than buying locally, especially if you know where to shop. Of course, this isn’t always the case. Market fluctuations, exchange rates, and sudden changes in import duty can flip the calculation, which is why it’s smart to run the numbers carefully before committing.

Step 1: Buying the Car in the USA

Before you even think about shipping, you’ll need to purchase the car. Many beginners make the mistake of rushing into the first auction they find online. Take a breath—because this is the stage that determines everything else.

Popular platforms include Copart, IAAI (Insurance Auto Auctions), and Manheim. These are auction-based sites where you can find cars at wholesale prices. But keep in mind: many cars listed there are salvage or used vehicles with varying conditions. If you’re inexperienced, you may want to hire a licensed auto broker who understands how these platforms work.

I’ve personally seen someone bid on a car that looked perfect in the pictures—only to discover after purchase that the engine had been damaged by flood water. The lesson here? Always get a detailed condition report, and if possible, arrange for an independent inspection before finalizing payment.

Once you buy the car, you’ll need the Bill of Sale and the Vehicle Title—both are essential for shipping and clearing the car at Nigerian ports. If the car has a lien (basically a loan attached to it), make sure it’s cleared; otherwise, you won’t be able to export it.

Step 2: Choosing a Shipping Method

Here’s where most people get stuck: deciding how the car will physically travel across the ocean. You typically have two main options:

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo)

The car is simply driven onto the ship and driven off at the destination port.

It’s usually cheaper.

Downsides: the vehicle is exposed to the elements, and you can’t ship personal items inside.

Container Shipping

The car is loaded into a metal container, which can be shared with other cars or used solely for your vehicle.

It offers more protection, and you can sometimes load spare parts or personal belongings in the same container.

Downsides: it costs more, and you may need to wait until the container is full if sharing space.

If you ask me, RoRo is fine for standard cars like Toyota or Honda models, but if you’re shipping something luxury—say, a Mercedes G-Wagon or a Lexus LX—it’s probably worth paying extra for container shipping. Think of it as paying for an armored suitcase for your car.

Step 3: Picking a Port of Destination in Nigeria

Most vehicles headed to Nigeria arrive through either Tin Can Island Port or Apapa Port in Lagos. These are the busiest and most equipped for auto imports. Some people ask about Port Harcourt or Warri, but Lagos remains the most reliable choice because of logistics and service availability.

Choosing the port might seem like a small detail, but it affects how you clear the car and transport it inland. For example, if you live in Abuja, you’ll likely still clear it in Lagos and then truck it up north, which adds another cost.

Step 4: Paperwork and Documents You’ll Need

Paperwork is where things often get messy. At a minimum, here’s what you’ll need to ship the car:

Original Title of the Vehicle

Bill of Sale

Export Power of Attorney (if using an agent)

Photo ID (Passport)

Shipping Instructions/Booking

On the Nigerian side, you’ll also need:

Bill of Lading (issued by the shipping company)

Form M (a requirement from the Central Bank of Nigeria for imports)

Import Duty Assessment from Nigeria Customs

TIN (Tax Identification Number) for clearing

It may sound like alphabet soup, but each of these documents plays a role. For example, without a Form M, customs won’t process your entry. Skipping steps here can delay your car’s release for weeks—or even months.

Step 5: Understanding the Costs

Here’s the part everyone wants to know: how much is this whole thing going to cost? Unfortunately, there’s no single answer because costs vary depending on the type of car, exchange rate, and the exact port fees at the time. Still, we can break it into categories:

Shipping Cost

RoRo: usually between $1,200 and $1,800 from East Coast U.S. ports to Lagos.

Container: $2,000 to $3,500, depending on size and exclusivity.

Customs Duties in Nigeria

Import duty is typically 35% of the car’s assessed value.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is 7.5%.

Additional fees may include levy, ETLS (Economic Community levy), and port surcharges.

Clearing Fees

If you use a clearing agent, expect to pay anywhere from ₦150,000 to ₦400,000 depending on the car’s category.

Inland Transport

Trucking the car from Lagos to Abuja or other regions can cost an additional ₦200,000 or more.

When you tally all these numbers, the total can sometimes surprise you. A car you bought for $4,000 at auction might end up costing $7,000 to $8,000 before it’s legally on Nigerian roads. That’s why some buyers suggest targeting cars that are at least $2,000 to $3,000 below your budget ceiling.

Step 6: Clearing the Car in Nigeria

If you’ve ever been to Tin Can Island Port, you know the clearing process can feel like organized chaos. The port is always buzzing with activity—long queues of containers, agents hustling with documents, and drivers waiting to move vehicles out.

You’ll need a licensed clearing agent unless you want to brave Nigerian Customs yourself (which I wouldn’t recommend for a beginner). The agent submits your documents, pays the assessed duties, and facilitates the release of the vehicle.

One important tip: choose your clearing agent carefully. A bad agent can delay your car for weeks, or worse, rack up storage fees that you’ll be forced to pay. Always go for someone recommended by a trusted source.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

From my experience and stories I’ve heard, here are the pitfalls to avoid:

Underestimating Costs: Many buyers forget about customs duty and only budget for shipping.

Wrong Paperwork: A missing Form M or title can lock your car at the port indefinitely.

Choosing the Cheapest Agent: Low fees can sound attractive, but poor service may cost you far more in delays.

Shipping Personal Items: With RoRo, don’t leave valuables inside the car. They might not make it to Lagos.

Is It Worth It?

Now, the million-naira question: is shipping a car from the U.S. to Nigeria worth it? The answer depends. If you’re buying a car that’s popular in Nigeria and you’ve done the math on duties and fees, then yes—it can save you money and give you a better-quality vehicle.

But if the exchange rate is high or you’re buying a mid-range car that’s already affordable in Nigeria, the process may not be worth the stress. Some buyers now prefer to buy “Tokunbo” (foreign-used) cars already cleared in Nigeria to avoid the headache. It might cost more upfront, but it’s faster and stress-free.

Final Thoughts

Shipping a car from the USA to Nigeria isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it’s also not as terrifying as it first seems. Once you break it down—buying the car, choosing shipping, handling documents, paying customs—it starts to look like a series of manageable steps rather than one giant leap.

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: plan for the unexpected. Costs may creep higher than your initial estimate, delays can happen at the port, and exchange rates might shift. But with the right preparation, you can bring in a reliable car that will serve you for years.

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll have a funny story to tell—like my friend whose Camry arrived with a forgotten New Jersey toll ticket still sitting in the glovebox. A small reminder that every car carries a piece of its journey across the ocean.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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