Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Nigeria in 2026

Nigeria is consistently one of the highest-volume destinations for used vehicles exported from the UK, driven by strong demand for reliable, well-maintained cars across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and beyond. Vehicles typically ship from Tilbury, Southampton, or Sheerness, arriving at one of Lagos's two main commercial ports — Apapa or Tin Can Island — which together handle the vast majority of Nigeria's vehicle import traffic.

Both RORO and container shipping are widely available on this route, with RORO being the more popular and cost-effective choice for standard running vehicles, while container shipping remains the preferred option for higher-value vehicles or shipments including personal effects. Our RORO vs container guide covers the general trade-offs in more detail.

RORO shipping from the UK to Lagos typically costs between £900 and £1,600 for a standard saloon or SUV, making it one of the more affordable long-haul destinations available from the UK. Shared container shipping generally ranges from £1,400 to £2,200, while dedicated containers run from £2,200 to £3,500 depending on vehicle size and current freight market conditions.

Transit time on the UK-to-Lagos route typically runs between 14 and 21 days for RORO shipments, with container shipments sometimes taking slightly longer due to additional port handling. Given the high volume of trade on this route, sailing frequency is generally excellent, with regular weekly or fortnightly departures from major UK ports.

Nigeria applies a combination of import duty, a National Automotive Council (NAC) levy, and VAT on imported vehicles. Standard passenger vehicle import duty is generally set at 20%, with an additional levy of up to 15% depending on vehicle category, plus 7.5% VAT applied to the combined value — bringing total effective taxation to roughly 35% of the assessed vehicle value for most passenger cars, calculated using Nigeria Customs Service benchmark values rather than the original UK purchase price.

Nigeria also applies an age-related surcharge for vehicles older than a certain threshold, with older vehicles attracting proportionally higher effective duty rates as a percentage of their depreciated value. It's essential to obtain an accurate customs valuation and duty estimate for your specific vehicle before shipping, as Nigeria Customs benchmark values are updated periodically and can differ meaningfully from private sale prices.

Lagos ports, particularly Apapa, have historically experienced significant congestion, which can affect both the speed of vessel discharge and the subsequent customs clearance process. Working with an experienced clearing agent in Lagos is essential to minimise delays and unexpected demurrage charges, which accrue when containers or vehicles remain uncollected at the port beyond the free storage period.

Many UK exporters choose to work with a shipping partner who has an established relationship with a trusted Lagos-based clearing agent, ensuring smoother handover, accurate duty calculation, and faster release of the vehicle once it arrives. At The Ship Cars, we coordinate closely with vetted partners on the ground in Lagos to help our customers avoid these common pitfalls.

Nigeria drives on the right and uses left-hand-drive vehicles, meaning standard UK right-hand-drive vehicles are technically permitted for personal import in most cases, though they are less common on Nigerian roads than left-hand-drive imports from mainland Europe or the United States. Buyers should note that resale value for right-hand-drive vehicles in Nigeria can sometimes be lower than equivalent left-hand-drive models, which is worth factoring in if the vehicle may eventually be sold locally rather than kept for personal long-term use.

There is no outright ban on right-hand-drive import for personal vehicles, but it's worth double-checking current Nigeria Customs Service guidance, as policy on this point has been periodically reviewed.

Given Nigeria's detailed duty structure and the importance of working with reliable clearing agents at the destination, we recommend speaking to our team early in the planning process to ensure a smooth, well-costed shipment. Explore related West African destinations on our destinations page, including Ghana.

Get a free quote for your shipment to Nigeria today, and let our specialists guide you through the process from collection to customs clearance.