Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Nigeria
One of the world's largest markets for U.S. used and salvage vehicles. Weekly consolidated containers to Lagos — Tin Can Island and Apapa — plus Onne for the east, with trusted clearing agents on the ground.
Nigeria at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,700+
- Ocean transit
- 22–30 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Lagos (Tin Can · Apapa) · Onne
- Import duty + VAT
- 20% duty + levies + 7.5% VAT
- Vehicle age limit
- Up to ~12 years accepted
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Nigeria: What You Need to Know
Nigeria imports more U.S. used and salvage vehicles than almost any country on earth — Lagos alone receives thousands of American units every month through Tin Can Island and Apapa. Vehicles up to roughly 12 years old are accepted, salvage titles are routine, and the repair ecosystem around Lagos rebuilds accident units at scale. Onne port serves Port Harcourt and the eastern states for buyers who want to skip Lagos congestion.
The landed cost formula is 20% duty plus category levies and 7.5% VAT, all assessed on customs valuation rather than your purchase price — which is why an experienced clearing agent matters. Destination formalities in Nigeria are handled by licensed clearing agents, and we work with vetted partners at every terminal so your consignee gets predictable totals and release timelines instead of surprises at the gate.
Key takeaway
Vehicles up to ~12 years old import freely — budget 20% duty + levies + 7.5% VAT on customs valuation. Consolidated containers at $1,700–$2,500 per car are the standard, and a licensed clearing agent handles release in Lagos.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Nigeria
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Lagos (Tin Can Island) | 22–30 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Lagos (Apapa) | 24–32 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Lagos (Tin Can Island) | 23–31 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Onne | 26–34 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Nigeria from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Nigeria, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Nigeria fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Nigeria
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,700 – $2,500 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,900 – $4,000 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,800 – $5,400 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Nigeria →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentNigeria Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used cars (≤12 yrs) | 20% | 7.5% | + levies on customs valuation |
| New cars | 20% | 7.5% | Higher levy bracket |
| Salvage / accident vehicles | 20% | 7.5% | Routine import category |
| Trucks & commercial vehicles | 10% | 7.5% | Lower duty than cars |
| Heavy machinery | 0–5% | 7.5% | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Dealer buying U.S. salvage at volume?
Nigeria is our highest-volume West Africa lane. We run standing weekly consolidations from New York, Savannah, and Baltimore — 4–5 units per 40ft, photo-documented loading, and direct hand-off to your clearing agent at Tin Can or Apapa. Standing bookings lock your space and rate.
What We Ship to Nigeria
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Nigeria's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Nigeria.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Nigeria.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Nigeria
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Nigeria Routes
New York / New Jersey → Lagos (Tin Can Island)
22–30 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Lagos (Apapa)
24–32 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Lagos (Tin Can Island)
23–31 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Onne
26–34 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Nigeria Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
22–30 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Lagos (Tin Can · Apapa) · Onne.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Nigeria. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Roughly 12 years — Nigeria accepts vehicles up to about that age, which is why it imports more U.S. used and salvage cars than almost any country on earth. Salvage titles are routine, and the repair ecosystem around Lagos rebuilds accident units at scale. We confirm each VIN against the current rule before you bid so nothing is turned away at Tin Can Island or Apapa.
Yes — salvage is a routine, fully legal import category in Nigeria, not a workaround. Lagos has one of the world's largest accident-vehicle repair trades, and dealers buy U.S. auction units at volume specifically to rebuild and resell. Duty is the same 20% + levies + 7.5% VAT as any used car. We run standing weekly consolidations precisely for these high-volume salvage buyers.
The stack is 20% duty plus category levies and 7.5% VAT — but it's assessed on Nigeria customs valuation, not your purchase price, so a cheap auction win doesn't automatically mean a cheap clearance. That's why an experienced licensed clearing agent is essential. We work with vetted partners at every Lagos and Onne terminal so your consignee gets predictable totals and release timelines instead of surprises at the gate.
About 22–32 days from the East Coast. We sail weekly from New York/New Jersey, Savannah, and Baltimore to Lagos (Tin Can Island and Apapa), with biweekly Houston service to Onne for Port Harcourt and the eastern states. Consolidated containers at $1,700–$2,500 per car are the standard, with 4–5 units per 40ft and photo-documented loading handed off to your clearing agent.
More shipping destinations in North & West Africa
Plan your shipment with our guides
Free, in-depth playbooks on buying, paperwork, and choosing the right shipping method.
Ready to Ship to Nigeria?
Get a customized quote for your shipment to Nigeria with detailed pricing and transit options.