The Current Cost of Clearing Cars in Nigeria Officially (May, 2024)

Last updated on February 15th, 2024 at 07:25 am

This post will list out the current cost of clearing cars in Nigeria Tin can port, Cotonou(Seme Border), Apapa Port and other ports to deliver them to a client in Nigeria. Charges such as Nigerian custom duty charge on imported cars, port charges and clearing agent charges will also need to be paid for this to be successfully carried out.

Majority of the cars imported into Nigeria comes from Cotonou, licensed clearing agent go there and settle all taxes like import duties, then deliver the cars to their clients in Nigeria. Custom Import duty and taxes are charges paid to the government for importing goods into Nigeria whether by a private individual or a commercial entity. Vehicles from other port such as Tin Can come from overseas and still have similar clearing charges. These are some of the facts you’ll need known if you’re considering shipping and clearing a car in Nigeria.

Nigerian New Import Duty Tariff

In a move to make Nigerians patronize locally manufactured vehicle the Nigerian Government raised the tariff on imported cars. This was done in 2014 with the aim of creating employment and a wide range of technologically advanced manufacturing opportunities.

In Tinubu’s regime, for the fifth time in 2024 alone, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased the exchange rate for computing Customs duties at the nation’s seaports.

The new rate which succeeds the last one done just days ago moved from ₦1, 444.56 per dollar to ₦1, 481.482 per dollar, thus increasing the cost importers will have to pay to clear their goods at the ports.

The CBN had on March 2 adjusted the exchange rate for calculating import duties from ₦951.941/$ to ₦1, 356.883/$. The next day, being March 3, it was raised to ₦1, 413.62/$; on March 10 it was raised to ₦1,417.635/$; on March 12, it was reviewed to ₦1, 444.56/$ and now raised to ₦1, 481.482/$.

In the old tariff, the factor that was used to determine the import duty tax was based on the year which the car was manufactured. For example a car that was manufactured in 2016 would attract a higher tariff than a car that was manufactured in 2008. Then the average cost of clearing new and used Commercial Buses, Trucks, Jeep/SUV’S and Cars in Nigeria were structured like;

Cars

2000-2003: N350, 000

2004-2006: N290, 000

2007-2008: N450, 000

2009: N650, 000

2010: N750, 000

2011-2012: N800, 000 and above.

Jeep/SUV’S

2000-2003: N300, 000

2004-2006: N350, 000

2007-2008: N650, 000

2009: N800, 000

2010-2012:N900, 000 and above.

Commercial Buses (10-15 Passengers)

1999: N190,000.

Trucks

1990-1995: N280, 000

1996-2005: N250, 000.

However, in this new tariff which fully took effect in 2015, the cost price of the car is the factor which determines the import duty tax for clearing it. In this system, a 35% duty and a 35% levy tax on the cost of the vehicle will be used. That is a total of 70% on all imported new or used vehicle meaning a car which was purchased for N3 000,000 will need N2,100,000 to be cleared.

Clearing your car in Nigeria can be hectic, however this depends on so many factors. Always make sure you using a reliable clearing agent. Some agents are very dubious and try to look for alternative means to get the job done without paying tax to the appropriate authorities.

Below are the current cost of clearing the following cars at Seme Border presently. Some fees includes port charges, custom duties, and clearing agent charges.

• VW brand Buses – 350
• 2000 Toyota Yaris Verso 1.3 litres engine – 200
• 2004 Toyota Siena – 350
• 2010 Total Siena – This is subject to evaluation
• 2007 Ford Edge – 900 or less
• Corolla 2003 | 2006 | 2008 model – 350 – 450 – 600 respectively
• Toyota Camry 2003 | 2007 | 2008– 370, 600 and 600 respectively
• Mazda 6 2004 Model – Between 430 – 500
• 2003 Passat Volkswagen – 380
• 2001 Benz ML 430 – 450
• 2003 Toyota Highlander – 450
• 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Hyundai Elantra – 1.3m
• Salvage 2015 Mazda 3 SV – 2M
• 2003 Hyundai Sonata – 350k
• Acura MDX 2007/2008/2009 – 700 / 850/ 980 respectively
• 2011 Volkswagen CC – 1.2M
• 2010 Camry Hybrid – 1.1M
• 1994 Toyota 4 Runner –  450
• Mitsubishi Carisma 2005 Model – 380
• Toyota Corolla 2006 – 400
• Ford Focus 2012 – 1.4
• 2010 Toyota Venza – 1.1m
• 2006 Land Rover Range Sport – 1.5m
• Lexus RX300 2001 – 420
• Ford Focus Salon Car 2003 Model – 340
• Acura TSX 2004 Model – 380
• Kia Optima 2012 and KIA Spectra 2006 – 1.2M | 500k respectively.

Latest Cost of Clearing Cars in Nigeria Today: Official Price List (Updated, March 2024)

Buying a car in Nigeria is a necessity, so when importing cars as a car dealer, the question of how much does it cost to clear a car arises. What you would do is to visit any car-related websites or forum online in search for answers.

Nevertheless, you must still be aware of the cost of clearing some certain car models. This is vital as you would want your customers to know the latest clearing cost.

The same goes for the buyer bringing in a vehicle from any foreign country, he too must know the cost of clearing the car.  There are many reasons for wanting your own personal car, maybe due to the decline in the Nigerian public transport system which makes moving from one place to another difficult.

It might also be that buying the car abroad is better in terms of reliability, sound engine, body parts, etc, than when you buy directly from a Nigerian dealer online or offline.

Its common knowledge that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is the body responsible for the clearing of vehicles after which they are allowed within the country. Things have quite changed  as the method used in determining the cost of clearing a car in Nigeria today is no more based on the size and year of manufacture of the vehicle.

The new tariff system for determining the cost of clearing vehicles is what the NCS have been using for the past 4 years. According to the Customs website, “a 35% duty is charged on the cost of your car, with an additional 35% levy which sums up the total clearing cost at 70% of the initial cost of the vehicle.”

Unlike before, the old policy puts the clearing cost at 22% of the initial cost of the car but with this new cost, there has been a 48% increase when compared to the old cost. For example, the table below shows the cost of clearing cars under the old policy based on current value of some popular car brands.

Year of Manufacture	Clearing Fee for Cars (N)	Clearing fee for SUVs (N)
1999	260000	400000
2000	280000	400000
2001	280000	450000
2002	320000	450000
2003	330000	480000
2004	350000	480000
2005	400000	500000
2006	410000	550000
2007	500000	570000
2008	600000	600000
2009	780000	850000
2010	800000	Subject to negotiations
2011-2015	Subject to negotiations	Subject to negotiations

The newly introduced system now focuses more on the actual value of the vehicle to get the total cost of the car. The table below shows some popular vehicle brands and their current clearing cost this 2024.

Car model	Cost in Naira
Acura MDX 2007	N700,000
Acura MDX 2008	N850,000
Acura MDX 2009	N980,000
Acura TSX	N380,000
Benz ML	N450,000
Ford Edge 2007	N900,000
Ford Focus 2012	N1,400,000
Hyundai Elantra 2013 – 2016	N1,300,000
Hyundai Sonata	N350,000
Kia Optima 2012	N1,200,000
Kia Spectra	N500,000
Land Rover R/Sport 2006	N1,500,000
Lexus RX 300	N420,000
Mazda 3 SV	N2,000,000
Mazda 6 2004	N450,000
Mitsubishi Carisma 2005	N380,000
Toyota 4 Runner 1994	N450,000
Toyota Camry 2003	N270,000
Toyota Camry 2007- 2008	N600,000
Toyota Camry Hybrid 2010	N1,100,000
Toyota Corolla 2003	N350,000
Toyota Corolla 2004	N450,000
Toyota Corolla 2005	N500,000
Toyota Corolla 2006	N600,000
Toyota Highlander	N450,000
Toyota Sienna 2004	N350,000
Toyota Venza 2010	N1,100,000
Toyota Yaris 2000	N200,000
Volkswagen buses	N350,000
Volkswagen CC 2011	N1,200,000
Volkswagen Passat	N380,000

Nigeria can’t be said to be a country that manufacture cars except the few car assembly companies in the country. In fact, about 99% of the vehicles on Nigerian roads are imported. This means almost all the cars we see around have tariff levied on them as at when they were imported. This tariff is one of the ways the Nigerian Government generate revenue through the service of the Nigerian Custom.

It is also important to note that most of the cars on the Nigerian roads were not imported new. This is because a lot of Nigerians can’t afford new cars. These vehicles are usually cheap but coupled with the tariff imposes on them, they become expensive.

In the past, the cost of clearing a car depend largely on the year it was manufactured. In recent years, this had changed, and now the cost of clearing a car now depends on the amount the car was bought.

This new system was introduced to discourage the importation most especially used products. With the current situation, the cost of clearing a car is about 70% of the amount the car was bought. This is the main reason people prefer to follow the illegal route of car smuggling.

This means a car worth 2 million Naira will be cleared with 1.4 million Naira.

Estimated cost of clearing some cars in Nigeria today (2024)

Nissan Pathfinder 2001 model = ₦350,000

Nissan Primera 2003 model = ₦315,000

Toyota Rav4 2004 model = ₦335,000

Kia Sorrento 2004 model = ₦360,000

Lexus RX 330 2004 model = ₦370,000

Nissan Pathfinder 2005 model = ₦400,000

Toyota Highlander 2005 model = ₦450,000

Toyota Corolla 2005 = ₦300,000

Toyota Tundra 2005 = ₦400,000

Toyota Corolla 2006 model = ₦300,000

Toyota Camry 2015 = ₦1,500,000

Toyota Camry 2013 = ₦1,350,000

Toyota Venza 2013 = ₦1,400,000

Mercerdes-Benz ML350 2012 model = ₦1,515,000

When importing in cars into the country, the question of what amount does it cost to clear the vehicle arises. In any case, you should know about the expense of clearing some specific car models. This is essential as you would need your clients to realize the most recent clearing cost, and the same thing goes for purchasers getting a vehicle from other countries.  All these category of car dealers should know the expense of clearing their imported vehicles. There are numerous explanations behind the question of the cost of clearing cars in Nigeria, and this article will enumerate the accurately. We will also highlight the process of clearing cars in the country.

Basically, in terms of clearing of cars in the country, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is the body answerable for this process, before which these vehicles are permitted into the country. It’s pertinent to know the current cost of clearing your cars, due to the fact that things has changed and the earliet process used in determining the expense of clearing a vehicle in Nigeria today is not any more dependent on the size and year of assembling of the vehicle. Purchasing cars abroad is better regarding unwavering quality, sound automobiles, body parts, and so forth, than when you purchase directly from a Nigerian seller. Let’s take any look at the process of clearing cars in the country.

The Process Of Clearing A Car In Nigeria (2024)

This is a step by step guide on the process of clearing vehicles in the country. However, this cost of delivery of a vehicle from the USA to Nigeria or from Canada to Nigeria may differ however the way toward clearing a vehicle remains the equivalent.

Step 1: Give The Vehicle’s Bill Of Lading

The Bill of Lading is a significant document that additionally fills in as a receipt. At times the document is sent through the Internet in which you can effectively print it at your convenience. Certainly, if the bill of lading isn’t available you will be incapable to clear your vehicle at the port. In the document, there you will find data about your vehicle. – it contains the port of starting point, vehicle name, year of assembling, weight, name of the ship, undercarriage number/VIN, and the port of objective.

Step 2: Apply For Import Duty Valuation

The import duty receipt is obtained by the administrations of an enlisted and authorized custom clearing service. The organization would have to apply using their authority letterhead and address the Nigerian custom office. You also need to connect a duplicate of the bill of lading to the letter of application.

Step 3: Have the Assessment Notice

When the custom agents are done with the valuation, the would enter the data into their database. The clearing officers would help in presenting the electronic manifest. The recipient’s TIN (Tax Identification Number) would be remembered for the documents. After effectively presenting the electronic manifest, the Assessment Notice would be printed. The notification contains applicable information on the exchange, for example, the vehicle type, terminal of appearance, sum paid as obligation, and any transfer in the vehicle.

Step 4: Pay Import Duty

During the preceding process, you will be given the record number of Nigerian Customs to make installment. You will carry alongside you the Assessment Notice and the record subtleties while going to the bank to make the required payment.

Step 5: Submit Documents for Vehicle Inspection

To carry out vehicle inspection, all the records we have referenced so far ought to be incorporated and submitted to the Customs’ office. The records to take along incorporate the bill of lading, assessment notice, valuation photocopy, SGD, and bank receipt. After presenting the applicable documents, they would be recognized by customs and a date for the actual assessment will be booked. With the data at their removal, they can recognize the vehicle and affirm if the archives submitted are accurate.

Step 6: Print An Exit Copy

When you are finished with vehicle inspection, you can go to the Terminal which your car showed up with your SGD. The SGD is required to print an exit copy. An option is print the exit duplicate utilizing the C-Number available on your reports.

Step 7: Get The Vehicle Released From The Shipping Company

Before getting the vehicle released from the shipping company, you ought to prepare all the documents to discharge your vehicle from the organization used for delivery. The bill of lading, exit copy, SGD, and representative individual data is required. National ID (NIMC Card or Slip), Internal Passport, Driver’s License, and Certificate of Incorporation for Companies that are duly marked and stamped. A duplicate of the Form C30 and letter utilized to apply for valuation is required. Structure C30 is a document that allows a clearing agency to operate. After the reports are assessed by the transporting organization, you will be required to pay the cost of delivery and the terminal charges.

Step 8: Proceed With Some Documentation At The Gate Office

You would now be able to go to the gate office to register and close down your records. While going to this office, you will convey along the discharge duplicate and relevant customs documents. They would confirm the two documents and validate the fee paid. When finished, your records will be stepped and closed down in the gate office.

Step 9: Gather The Terminal Delivery Order

Next step is to process the terminal delivery order which is known as TDO. In request to gather this order, you need the receipt from the shipping company and reports marked at the Gate office. At this stage, your vehicle would be conveyed to the open floor when the records are submitted. At that point, you can be sure that the vehicle is soon to cross through the border and get to your destination.

Step 10: Pay Final Customs Examination Fee

The last thing to do when you are on the open floor is to pay the final custom examination fee. An assessment will be carried out by the company’s official and customs officials to guarantee there are no disparities, before you are permitted to drive your vehicle from the port. You actually need to pay a few expenses to the customs officials doing the examination.

How Car Clearing Costs Are Calculated

The cost of clearing a vehicle in Nigeria has changed a few times throughout the long term. So what amount does it cost to clear a vehicle in Nigeria at this moment? Let’s look at how the cost is being calculated.

The most current clearing expense comprises of two charges. When bringing in a vehicle to Nigeria, you need to pay 35% of the vehicle cost as an obligation in addition to a 35% duty. Subsequently, the cost of clearing a vehicle is 70% of the expense of the vehicle. However, this can negatively affect your spending plan of buying the vehicle.

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 includes the custom duty, the port charge and the clearing agent fee.

Verification of car status can be done at any of the four zonal centres 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:

1. Zone A Headquarters, No. 1 Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos;
2. Zone B Headquarters, Kabala Doki, Kaduna;
3. Zone C Headquarters, Nigeria Ports Authority, Port Harcourt and;
4. 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.

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.

Wrapping Up

While the above are the latest cost/prices for clearing some popular car models in Nigeria today, we are also aware that most fraudsters pose as car dealers or custom agents and would want to defraud you of your hard earned money when clearing your vehicles.

Be on guard against these so called people. We often advise that you go to the NCS zonal offices located either in Lagos or Abuja to find out the latest method of clearing cars in the country.