UK to Nigeria Car Shipping 2026: Tin Can Island, Lagos Port and Import Duty

Lagos has two main container terminals handling vehicle imports: Tin Can Island Port, generally preferred for RORO and used-vehicle shipments due to dedicated vehicle-handling infrastructure, and Apapa Port, which handles a broader mix of container cargo including vehicles shipped in containers. Tin Can Island tends to have more predictable turnaround for RORO cargo, while Apapa is often used for container-shipped vehicles bundled with other goods. Your UK shipping agent will typically recommend the terminal based on your chosen shipping method and current port congestion levels, which can shift month to month.

RORO shipping is the dominant and generally cheapest method for shipping standard used cars to Nigeria, with vessels departing from Southampton roughly every two to three weeks and transit taking 3–4 weeks. Costs typically run £700–£1,100 for a mid-size saloon. Container shipping is preferred for higher-value vehicles, 4x4s and SUVs, or when shipping personal effects alongside the vehicle, costing £1,000–£1,600 with similar transit times. Compare the trade-offs in our RORO shipping guide.

Nigeria Customs Service currently restricts used vehicle imports to those no more than 15 years old from the date of manufacture, with vehicles exceeding this limit facing a punitive additional levy or outright refusal of clearance. Always verify the manufacture year — not registration year — against current Nigeria Customs guidance before purchasing a vehicle intended for shipment, since rules have tightened in recent years. See our broader vehicle age restrictions by country guide for context.

Nigeria applies import duty of 35% on the vehicle's assessed CIF value for standard passenger cars, plus a national automotive levy that can add a further 35% for certain categories (though this has been subject to periodic government revision, so always check the current rate with your clearing agent). All imports require a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) generated through the Nigeria Customs Service's electronic platform before the vessel arrives — without an approved PAAR, clearance cannot proceed, and demurrage charges accrue rapidly at Lagos ports, often £30-£60 per day after the free storage period expires.

A licensed customs clearing agent is essential for navigating PAAR generation, duty assessment and terminal release at Tin Can Island or Apapa. Reputable agents charge £150-£350 for full clearance handling and can often expedite PAAR processing before the vessel docks, minimising costly port storage delays. Always request references and confirm fees in writing, since Lagos port operations can be complex and unscheduled costs are a common complaint among first-time importers.

You will need: the UK V5C logbook, commercial invoice or bill of sale, original bill of lading, Form M (import declaration lodged through a Nigerian bank), PAAR confirmation, and — for vehicles approaching the 15-year limit — manufacturer documentation confirming the exact production date. Our UK export documents checklist covers what you need before the vehicle leaves the UK.

For a 2016 SUV valued at £11,000 shipped RORO to Lagos: shipping approximately £950, customs duty (35%) around £3,850, automotive levy (where applicable) potentially adding a further £3,850 depending on category, PAAR and agent fees £200-£350. Total additional costs can range from roughly £5,000 (levy-exempt categories) to over £8,800 (full levy applied) — underscoring why confirming your vehicle's exact duty classification with a Nigerian clearing agent before shipping is essential.