Clearing a car in Nigeria is more than just taking delivery of a vehicle at the port. It involves understanding several charges, paperwork, duties, and timelines. For anyone new to the process, it can feel confusing and expensive. Whether you’re bringing in a used car from the United States or a brand-new vehicle from Europe, you must go through customs. Knowing what to expect will save you money and avoid delays.
This is where a reliable clearing agent makes the difference. A professional freight forwarding and clearing expert handles all paperwork, negotiates with customs, and ensures your vehicle gets to you fast. Yusuf Babatunde Jimoh is a trusted name in the business. He helps importers move their cars from the port with ease and speed. For help with car clearing and container clearance, call +2348052803653 or 09039743395 or email tunjim4@gmail.com.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about car clearing in Nigeria. You’ll learn about customs fees, timelines, container charges, duties, clearance processes, and who’s responsible for what. Whether you’re importing one car or ten, this article has the answers.
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Custom clearance fees vary based on vehicle type, age, and port. There is no fixed rate for all cars. The Nigerian Customs Service uses a valuation system to calculate duties and fees. These are based on the car’s model year, engine size, and CIF value. CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight. This total is what customs uses to decide how much you pay.
For most used cars, the total clearance fee ranges between ₦500,000 and ₦2,000,000. Smaller cars like Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic usually cost less to clear than bigger SUVs or luxury cars like Lexus or Range Rover. Customs duty is just one part of the fee. Other charges include VAT (7.5 percent), ETL (0.5 percent), levy (often 15 to 20 percent), and port charges.
The specific port can also affect fees. Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos might charge different rates due to handling and congestion. That’s why it’s smart to consult a clearing agent before shipping your car. They will give a full breakdown so you know what to budget. Trying to guess on your own can lead to unexpected costs.
On average, it takes 5 to 10 working days to clear a car from a Nigerian port. The timeline starts once your bill of lading is available and all duties have been paid. But the actual speed depends on how prepared you are and how experienced your clearing agent is.
If all documents are in order and payment is made fast, clearing may take less than a week. But delays happen if the car gets flagged for inspection or valuation issues. Sometimes, customs officers may request extra verification of invoices or car value. This slows down the process.
Holidays, port congestion, and strikes can also affect how fast your car is cleared. If you ship during December, expect delays due to heavy traffic at the ports. To avoid these delays, work with a proactive clearing agent who can chase updates, pay duties fast, and push for release. Some agents know how to handle red flags and save you days or even weeks. Planning well and paying early is key.
Container clearing is more expensive than clearing single cars. A 40-foot container, for example, can cost anywhere from ₦2,500,000 to ₦6,000,000 depending on what’s inside. If it’s loaded with used cars, each car is charged separately based on customs valuation.
Apart from car duties, there are charges like terminal handling fees, shipping company charges, storage fees, and container deposit. Terminal handling can be around ₦150,000 to ₦250,000. Container deposit might range from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 which is refundable after the container is returned empty.
There’s also demurrage if you delay past the free period, which is often 5 to 7 days. Once that time lapses, shipping companies charge daily penalties that add up fast. That’s why container clearing must be done fast. Make sure your clearing agent tracks the container as soon as it lands. If not, you’ll lose money every day.
Customs clearance for cars and containers usually takes 3 to 10 working days. But if your paperwork is not ready, it can take longer. The steps include opening a file with customs, paying assessed duties, physical inspection, and final release.
If everything goes right, clearance moves fast. But if there is an issue with the car’s valuation, that adds time. Customs officers may hold the car until you provide more documents. This is common with used cars or when invoices don’t match their expected value.
To reduce delays, pay all duties on time and provide correct information. Delays are common with people who want to cheat the system or lie about car value. Customs checks everything and will not release your car until they are sure everything is correct. A good clearing agent helps you avoid mistakes and speeds up the process.
To move faster, start by working with a smart clearing agent. Most delays happen because of wrong paperwork, late payments, or poor communication. A good agent stays ahead of the process.
Make sure you have all documents ready before the car lands. These include the bill of lading, original invoice, Form M, and PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report). Pay duties and fees early. Don’t wait for customs to flag your car before fixing things.
Also, avoid giving false values. Customs systems are smarter now. They check global databases for car prices. If you submit fake invoices, you’ll be flagged. Be honest, fast, and clear. Ask your agent to push daily for clearance and avoid last-minute problems.
To get customs clearance, you need a registered clearing agent. The agent works with Nigeria Customs to clear your car. You cannot do this by yourself unless you are licensed.
The agent will process your Form M, generate your PAAR, and calculate all fees. Once duties are paid, they’ll schedule a customs inspection. After inspection, customs issues a release. You then get a terminal delivery order (TDO) to pick up your car.
Make sure your agent is experienced. Many agents promise fast clearance but delay because they don’t know the right contacts. A trusted agent should explain each step and give you daily updates.
The importer pays all customs clearance charges. This includes duty, VAT, inspection fees, and storage. Whether you ship by sea or air, you are the one to pay.
Some people make the mistake of thinking the seller or shipping company covers these costs. That’s not true. Unless your seller includes customs in the deal, you’re on your own. This is why many importers get stuck.
Before shipping, ask your clearing agent for an estimate. Budget properly to avoid delays. If you don’t pay fast, customs will delay release. Every extra day at the port costs money. So, be ready to pay once your car lands.
You can pay customs duty through any bank in Nigeria. Most agents handle this for you. They’ll give you an assessment notice and a duty payment invoice. You take this to a bank like Zenith, GTBank, or UBA to make payment.
You can also pay through the Nigeria Customs online payment platform. After payment, you’ll get a receipt. Keep this safe. It is proof that you’ve paid duty and should be shown during inspection or if there’s a dispute.
Make sure the payment is tied to your vehicle’s chassis number and bill of lading. Any error in these details can delay clearance. Don’t send money to people who can’t show proof of registration with customs.
To clear a car, you need these documents:
If your name is not on the bill of lading, you also need a letter of authority. Make sure your Form M and PAAR match the car’s details. Any mistake can cause delays.
For container shipments, customs will also inspect the goods. Make sure all declared items match what’s inside. Hidden goods or undeclared items will lead to heavy fines. Always be transparent to avoid problems.
Clearing cars in Nigeria comes with fees, delays, and lots of paperwork. If you want to avoid problems, work with an expert. Yusuf Babatunde Jimoh offers trusted freight forwarding and clearing services that get your vehicle out fast and safe. He understands how Nigerian ports work and knows how to deal with customs officials.
Whether you’re importing one car or multiple containers, Yusuf makes things easy. Contact him today at +2348052803653 or 09039743395 or email tunjim4@gmail.com. He’ll help you save time, avoid stress, and clear your car without hidden charges.
If you’re serious about moving goods through Nigerian ports, choose someone who knows the system and cares about results. Your car deserves to be cleared the right way.
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