Nigerian Customs Regulations: What You Need to Know for Importing Cars

If you’ve ever tried to import a car into Nigeria—or even just considered it—you’ve probably heard one or two horror stories. A friend of mine once thought it would be a simple matter of buying a clean Toyota Camry from Houston, shipping it through Lagos, and driving it home. He quickly found out that “simple” and “Nigerian Customs” rarely belong in the same sentence. Between the paperwork, duties, and unspoken rules, importing a car can feel like navigating a maze that’s been intentionally designed to confuse you.

That said, it’s not impossible. Nigerians bring in thousands of vehicles every year, both brand new and used. Some people even manage to do it smoothly and save money in the process. The trick is understanding the regulations, or at least being aware of how things are supposed to work—even if, in practice, the road may twist here and there.

Let’s break it down step by step, and along the way I’ll sprinkle in some stories and lessons I’ve seen play out in real life.

Why Nigerians Import So Many Cars

The first thing to grasp is why people import cars in the first place. Local car prices can feel outrageous compared to what you might pay abroad. A used 2012 Toyota Corolla in the U.S. might go for $6,000 to $7,000, while the same car lands in Nigeria at almost double that amount after shipping and duties. Despite this markup, the car is often still in better condition than one bought locally, where mileage may be doctored and history reports are non-existent.

It’s also a matter of trust. People prefer to buy “Tokunbo” cars (foreign used cars) because they believe they’ll last longer than the average Nigerian-used vehicle. Whether that assumption always holds true is debatable, but it drives a big part of the market.

Customs Regulations in a Nutshell

Here’s where the real story begins. Nigeria has a pretty strict system when it comes to bringing in vehicles. The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) oversees the entire process, and their rules touch on three big things:

Vehicle age restrictions

Import duties and levies

Documentation

Sounds straightforward, right? In reality, each one has its quirks.

Age Restrictions

Nigeria doesn’t allow cars older than 15 years from the year of manufacture to be imported. So if you’re reading this in 2025, the oldest vehicle you can legally bring in is a 2010 model. On paper, the rule is meant to stop Nigeria from becoming a dumping ground for scrap cars, and that logic makes sense. The roads are already crowded with vehicles that break down every other week, so limiting the age of imports could, in theory, help.

But here’s the kicker: people still find ways around it. There are stories of importers “adjusting” papers to make a 2006 car look like a 2010 model. Customs sometimes catches it, sometimes not. If you’re caught, your car could be seized, and fighting to get it released is not for the faint-hearted.

Import Duties and Levies

This is where most of the headaches (and heated arguments) happen. Import duty for vehicles is generally 35% of the car’s value, plus another 35% levy if it’s a newer model. That’s already 70% on top of the car’s assessed value. Add shipping charges, clearing agent fees, and miscellaneous “extras,” and suddenly your $6,000 Corolla is pushing $12,000 or more.

Now, one thing you’ll hear a lot about is “valuation.” Customs doesn’t just take your purchase invoice at face value. They use a database called VIN Valuation System to decide what your car is worth. So even if you swear you bought that 2015 Honda Accord for $5,000, Customs may decide it’s worth $8,000—and that’s the figure they’ll use to calculate your duty.

I once watched a guy at Apapa Wharf try to argue this point. He had receipts, screenshots, even emails from the U.S. dealer. The Customs officer calmly told him, “Oga, our system has already given the value. If you no gree, leave the car.” Guess who ended up paying?

Documentation

Paperwork is king in the import process. Here’s the usual checklist:

Bill of Lading (issued by the shipping company)

Form M (import declaration document, mandatory before shipment)

PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, issued by Customs)

Clean Report of Inspection (CRI) in some cases

Vehicle Title from the country of origin

Invoice and Packing List

Miss one of these, and you’re in trouble. Clearing agents know this, which is why most people don’t try to handle the process themselves. Even with everything in order, delays can happen. Sometimes it feels less about missing documents and more about someone deciding your file needs to “rest” for a while.

Ports of Entry: Where Cars Come In

Most imported cars land at Lagos ports (Apapa or Tin Can Island), though some come through Port Harcourt or even Cotonou, Benin, before being driven across the border. That last route—through Cotonou—is still popular, even though Nigeria technically banned land-border car imports in 2017. People still take the risk because clearing in Benin is often cheaper and, let’s just say, “faster.”

But there’s a big gamble here. If Customs catches a car that entered illegally from the borders, they can seize it outright. And unlike an airport bag search where you might talk your way out of it, with cars, they don’t play around.

Clearing Agents: The Middlemen You Can’t Ignore

Here’s a truth most first-time importers underestimate: having a good clearing agent is almost as important as having the money to pay duties. These agents know the system, the right desks to visit, and how to speed things along when papers mysteriously get “stuck.”

Of course, not all agents are equal. Some are honest and efficient, others… well, I’ve heard of agents who vanish halfway through the process with both your car and your money. If you’re new to importing, ask around for recommendations. Don’t just go with the cheapest option. Sometimes, paying a bit more upfront saves you weeks of stress and unexpected expenses.

Common Pitfalls Importers Face

Underestimating costs: Many first-timers assume duties will match their invoice price. They’re shocked when Customs slaps on a higher valuation.

Late Form M: If you don’t process Form M before the car is shipped, you’ll face penalties.

Ignoring age rules: That sweet deal on a 2005 model in the U.S. isn’t a deal if the car never leaves the port in Nigeria.

Trusting the wrong agent: If your clearing agent avoids giving receipts or insists everything must be “settled cash,” tread carefully.

Personal Anecdote: The Case of the Stuck Jeep

A cousin of mine once tried to bring in a Jeep Grand Cherokee from the States. Beautiful car, low mileage, everything legit. But when it arrived at Tin Can, Customs claimed his PAAR was “incomplete.” For weeks, the car just sat there while he went back and forth between offices. By the time it was finally cleared, he had racked up almost ₦800,000 in demurrage (charges for storage at the port). That was money he never budgeted for.

The lesson? Budget for the unexpected. No matter how well-prepared you are, delays are part of the Nigerian import experience.

Is It Still Worth It?

Here’s the million-naira question: with all these hurdles, is importing a car into Nigeria still worth it? Honestly, it depends. If you’re looking at certain brands—Toyota, Honda, Lexus—the math often still favors importation, especially if you can buy at a good price abroad. For luxury cars, the duties make the final cost so high that it sometimes makes more sense to buy locally.

There’s also the rising debate on whether these high tariffs are actually helping Nigeria. The government says they want to encourage local assembly and car manufacturing. Fair enough. But with Innoson and a few other local players producing at low volumes, many Nigerians feel the policies just punish regular citizens who simply want affordable, reliable cars.

Practical Tips If You’re Planning to Import

Double-check the car’s year before buying. Don’t take a seller’s word for it.

Budget 100% extra on top of the purchase price. If the car costs $8,000, be mentally ready for the full cost to land closer to $16,000.

Use a trusted clearing agent, preferably recommended by someone you know.

Track your shipment and confirm documents are processed before the car arrives.

Be patient but alert—delays happen, but don’t let your file “rest” indefinitely.

Final Thoughts

Importing cars into Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted. The rules are clear on paper, but the reality can feel like playing a game where the rules shift depending on who’s holding the whistle. Still, thousands of Nigerians do it successfully every year. With the right preparation, a bit of patience, and maybe a touch of luck, you can too.

If I had to sum it up in one line: importing a car into Nigeria is possible, but it’s not cheap, not fast, and definitely not stress-free. Think of it as a test of your endurance—and your wallet.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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