Cost of Clearing Cars in Nigeria

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It's no longer news that Nigeria still does not manufacture cars, except for a few cases where we hear of cars being assembled in Nigeria. This article will outline the current costs associated with clearing cars in Nigeria through various ports, including Tin Can Port, Apapa Port, and Cotonou (Seme Border), and delivering them to clients within Nigeria.

To successfully clear a vehicle, several charges must be paid, including Nigerian custom duty on imported cars, port charges, and clearing agent fees.

Apapa Port in Lagos, Nigeria

Changes in the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Charging System

As of last year, the system by which the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) charges for clearing cars changed. Instead of charging according to the year of manufacture, they now charge according to the cost of the car, not the year of manufacture. The charge is 35% of whatever you paid for the vehicle and a levy of 35%, making 70% of what you paid for the car. So, assuming you bought a car for ₦2 million, you will spend ₦1.4 million to clear the car. You can easily do the math yourself.

These prices can be brought down if you can find a good clearing agent. Some agents gave us the estimated cost of clearing some cars manufactured in the following year:

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Estimated Cost of Clearing Cars in Nigeria

Below is a table outlining the estimated costs of clearing various car models in Nigeria. Please note that these costs are subject to negotiations and Nigeria Customs Valuation for each vehicle and may not be 100% accurate. This should serve as a guide for you to have an idea of how much the cost of clearing cars in Nigeria is.

How To Import a Car From USA to Nigeria

Estimated Costs for Various Car Models:

Car ModelYearEstimated Clearing Cost (₦)
Nissan Pathfinder2001350,000
Nissan Primera2003315,000
Toyota Rav42004335,000
Kia Sorento2004360,000
Lexus RX 3302004370,000
Nissan Pathfinder2005400,000
Toyota Highlander2005450,000
Toyota Corolla2005300,000
Toyota Tundra2005400,000
Toyota Corolla2006300,000
Toyota 4Runner2006450,000
Lexus RX 3502007600,000
Lexus RX 3502008700,000
Toyota Highlander2008500,000
Lexus RX 3502009800,000
Lexus RX 3502010950,000
Toyota 4Runner2011900,000
Mercerdes-Benz ML35020121,515,000
Toyota Venza20131,400,000
Toyota Camry20131,350,000
Toyota Camry20151,500,000

Additional Examples:

  • Buses (1990 - 2004):
    • With Electronics - ₦450,000
    • Without Electronics - ₦430,000
  • Ford Edge:
    • 2007 - ₦550,000
    • 2011 - ₦900,000
  • Honda Accord 2007 - ₦600,000
  • Hyundai:
    • 2009 Hyundai Elantra - #650,000
    • 2011 Hyundai Elantra - #950,000
  • Kia Sorento 2004 - ₦430,000
  • Lexus:
    • Lexus RX 330 2004 - ₦470,000
    • Lexus RX 350 2007 - ₦700,000
    • Lexus RX 350 2008 - ₦700,000
    • Lexus ES 350 2009 - ₦950,000
    • Lexus RX 350 2009 - ₦980,000
    • Lexus ES 350 2010 - ₦980,000
    • Lexus RX 350 2010 - ₦1,000,000
    • Lexus GX 350 2010 - ₦1,100,000
  • MAZDA 6 2008 - ₦550,000
  • Mercedes Benz:
    • Mercerdes-Benz E-Class 2000-2005 - ₦550,000
    • Mercerdes-Benz E-Class 2006 - ₦600,000
    • Mercerdes-Benz E-Class 2007/2008 - ₦750,000
    • Mercerdes-Benz C280 4matic 2006 - ₦550,000
    • Mercerdes-Benz ML350 4matic 2007 - ₦700,000
    • Mercerdes-Benz C300 4matic 2009 - ₦850,000
    • Mercerdes-Benz ML350 2012 - ₦1,515,000
  • Nissan:
    • Nissan Pathfinder 2001 - ₦400,000
    • Nissan Primera 2003 - ₦420,000
    • Nissan Pathfinder 2005 - ₦500,000
    • Nissan Altima 2015 - #2,500,000
  • Toyota:
    • Toyota Tacoma 2002 - #450,000
    • Toyota Camry LE 2002 - #450,000
    • Toyota Rav4 2004 - ₦420,000
    • Toyota Matrix 2005 - ₦450,000
    • Toyota Highlander 2005 - ₦500,000
    • Toyota Corolla 2005 - ₦450,000
    • Toyota Tundra 2005 - ₦500,000
    • Toyota Corolla 2006 - ₦550,000
    • Toyota 4Runner 2006 - ₦600,000
    • Toyota Tundra 2006 - #650,000
    • Toyota Sienna 2006 - ₦600,000
    • Toyota Corolla 2007 - #600,000
    • Toyota Camry 2007 - ₦600,000
    • Toyota Camry 2008 - ₦650,000
    • Toyota Rav4 2008 - ₦650,000
    • Toyota Highlander 2008 - ₦700,000
    • Toyota Camry 2009 - ₦750,000
    • Toyota Corolla 2010 - #950,000
    • Toyota 4Runner 2011 - ₦950,000
    • Toyota Camry 2011 - ₦950,000
    • Toyota Corolla 2011 - #1,000,000
    • Toyota Corolla 2013 - #1,250,000
    • Toyota Venza 2013 - ₦1,400,000
    • Toyota Camry 2013 - ₦1,350,000
    • Toyota Camry 2015 - ₦1,500,000
    • Toyota Highlander 2015 - ₦1,650,000
    • Toyota Camry 2016 - ₦1,800,000
  • Volvo:
    • Volvo XC90 2004 - #500,000
    • Volvo XC90 2008 - #650,000
  • Chevrolet Chevy Cobalt 2008 - #650,000
  • Howo 12 Tyres Dump Truck 2014 - #1,500,000

Zonal Offices Where to Clear Your Cars

The popular ports in Nigeria through which cars are brought in are Tin Can port and Apapa port. You will only clear at Seme border if you’re importing your car from Cotonou. The various fees to pay at this border include the custom duty, the port charge and the clearing agent fee.

Seme Border

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Verification of car status can be done at any of the four zonal centers of the Nigerian Customs Service. It is at this place you pay the fees for your car’s uncleared status. The four zonal offices includes:

  • Zone A Headquarters, No. 1 Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos
  • Zone B Headquarters, Kabala Doki, Kaduna
  • Zone C Headquarters, Nigeria Ports Authority, Port Harcourt
  • Zone D Headquarters, Yelwa Tudu Road, Bauchi State

Another method of verification is to call or send an SMS to the following NCS numbers along side you C-number, the year you paid your duty and the port or location through which your car was brought into the country. The numbers to call are: 094621597, 094621598 and 094621599.

You should receive a custom clearance after some few minutes.

N/B: Even though the process of ascertaining the status of your car can be tedious at-times, it is better to do so as the law states that any car that hasn’t been duly cleared shall be tagged “a smuggled car” and can lead to fines or arrest of car owner or dealer by the law enforcement agencies that clear vehicles in Nigeria.

Important Considerations

Several factors contribute to the overall customs clearing costs for a vehicle in Nigeria. The cost of clearing cars in Nigeria has changed due to the change in the exchange rate. The exchange rate used by customs is $1 to ₦1,537.82 at this moment. This exchange rate is subject to change at intervals (depending on the strength of ₦).

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There is also a new VIN valuation policy implemented by customs that has hiked the value of underaged vehicles (vehicles from 2014 downwards), which then increases the total cost to clear vehicles. If you are looking for vehicles between 2004 and 2014 - The Federal Government of Nigeria have restricted the age vehicles importer to 10 years, i.e 2015 to 2025, if you bring in older vehicles, then you must pay the duty of a 2015 to get it cleared.

Furthermore, Nigerian Customs will receive the duty on the imported car. Nigeria Customs has a fixed import value they place on every vehicle; hence, used and new vehicles will pay a 20% duty, 15% levy, 7% SUR, 0.5% ETL, and 7.5% VAT of the fixed import value.

Tips for a Smooth Clearing Process

  • Accurate Documentation: When importing a car to Nigeria, accurate documentation is crucial for avoiding delays and extra fees. Customs agents require specific paperwork to process the vehicle efficiently, and any errors can result in complications.
  • Bill of Lading: This document serves as proof that the car has been shipped.
  • Verify Dealer Credentials: Always ensure that you’re working with a licensed and reputable dealer or clearing agent.
  • Check for Consistent Communication: A legitimate dealer or clearing agent will provide regular updates on your vehicle’s status.

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tags: #Nigeria