Importing a Car to Nigeria from the UK: Duty, Age Limits and PAAR

Nigeria is consistently one of the largest markets in Africa for used vehicle imports, and the UK is a major source country given the quality and documented service history of British used cars, commonly referred to locally as 'Tokunbo' vehicles. The Ship Cars ships regularly to Lagos (via the Tin Can Island and Apapa ports) as well as to Port Harcourt, with RORO being the dominant method for standard saloons and SUVs due to its relative cost-effectiveness for this market.

Sailing times from the UK to Lagos typically range from around 14 to 21 days depending on the shipping line and routing. Popular vehicle types for this market include mid-size and larger SUVs, saloons from mainstream manufacturers, and commercial vehicles such as vans and pickups, reflecting strong demand for reliable used vehicles at accessible price points.

Nigeria's import policy has changed periodically over recent years, and the age restriction on imported used vehicles is one of the most important details to confirm before shipping, since it directly affects whether a given vehicle can legally clear customs. Historically, Nigeria has restricted the import of vehicles beyond a certain age from their year of manufacture — this figure has been set at different points at around 12 to 15 years, though changes to national automotive policy mean this threshold should always be verified against the current Nigeria Customs Service guidance before committing to a purchase.

Because policy changes have previously happened with limited notice, and vehicles outside the permitted age range can face refusal of clearance or heavily punitive additional levies, we strongly recommend confirming the current age limit with our team before finalising your vehicle choice, particularly if you are sourcing an older used vehicle for cost reasons.

Nigeria charges import duty on vehicles that has historically ranged from around 20% to 35% of the assessed customs value depending on vehicle category and engine size, with an additional levy sometimes applied on top for certain vehicle types under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan, intended to encourage local vehicle assembly. Combined effective rates on some categories have at times exceeded 50% of the vehicle's assessed value, so it is essential to get an accurate, up-to-date duty estimate for your specific vehicle before shipping rather than relying on older figures.

Every imported vehicle also requires a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), generated through Nigeria Customs Service's electronic platform, which is used to assess the correct duty payable based on the vehicle's declared value, age and specification. The PAAR must be obtained before or shortly after the vehicle's arrival, and delays in obtaining it are one of the most common causes of demurrage charges building up at Nigerian ports, so this should be arranged as early as possible in the shipping process.

Certain categories of import into Nigeria require a pre-shipment or destination inspection carried out by an approved inspection agent to verify the vehicle's condition, specification and declared value before it is allowed to proceed through Nigerian customs, and it's important to check current requirements as these have evolved over recent years. Alongside this, standard documents including the original V5C or UK export certificate, commercial invoice, bill of lading, and packing list (for container shipments including personal effects) will be required for clearance.

Working with a shipping partner experienced in the Nigerian market significantly reduces the risk of clearance delays, since local agents on the ground can liaise directly with Nigeria Customs Service and address queries as they arise rather than after a shipment has already been sitting in port accruing storage fees.

We work with established local agents in Lagos and Port Harcourt to manage the practicalities of Nigerian customs clearance, from PAAR generation to arranging any required inspection. Our team keeps track of current age restrictions and duty rates and will confirm eligibility for your specific vehicle before you commit to a purchase or booking, helping avoid the costly surprises that can arise from Nigeria's periodically updated import policy.