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Trade · Nigeria

Import a vehicle into Nigeria

Import and clear a vehicle: confirm age eligibility → NCS VIN valuation → pay duty + levies (often 70-100%+ of value) → clear at port. Distinct from general goods import because of the age limit, VIN valuation, and NAC levy.

4
steps
1
agency involved
Who you will deal with
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The steps
  1. 1Confirm the vehicle is eligible
    Agency
    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
    What is required
    Check the age limit: imported vehicles must generally be within ~12 years (enforcement is strict around 10 years); older vehicles face punitive duty or a ban.
    Documents
    Vehicle year, make, model, VIN
    Typical timeline
    Immediate
  2. 2Get the NCS VIN valuation
    Agency
    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
    What is required
    The NCS automated VIN valuation system assigns a fixed USD value by year/make/model/VIN; that figure (not your invoice) is the base for all charges and may exceed your declared price.
    Documents
    VIN
    Typical timeline
    Immediate (online)
  3. 3Compute and pay duty and levies
    Agency
    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
    What is required
    Duty 35% of CIF/valuation + 7% surcharge (of duty) + ~1.5% CISS/ETLS + NAC levy (~15-20% of CIF for used cars) + 7.5% VAT — effective burden often 70-100%+ of value. Pay via Remita.
    Documents
    VIN valuation; invoice; Bill of Lading
    Typical timeline
    On clearance
  4. 4Clear the vehicle at the port
    Agency
    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
    What is required
    Clearing agent files the Single Goods Declaration on NICIS II (Apapa/Tin Can), obtains PAAR, and passes physical inspection (VIN/chassis/safety). Release typically 1-3 days.
    Documents
    SGD; PAAR; duty payment; shipping docs
    Typical timeline
    1-3 days after payment

Primary source: https://customs.gov.ng/ · confidence: high

Also in trade
Export goods from NigeriaImport goods into NigeriaSet up an enterprise in a Free Trade Zone (NEPZA)

The numbers behind the decision

Knowing the process is half of it. ONYX also tracks the operating environment you are entering — daily grid generation, official FX, state-level input prices and inflation, and sector output — each figure source-linked and dated.

ONYX publishes what the responsible agencies publish, with a link to each source. Requirements, fees and timelines change, and an officer's reading of a rule can differ from the published text. Verify against the linked source before you commit money — this is reference information, not legal advice.

ONYX Data & Intelligence · hello@onyxdata.io