Car Shipping UK to Nigeria — Full Guide (2026)

Nigeria is the UK's largest West African vehicle market, taking around 12,000 used UK cars annually — the bulk through Tin Can Island Port and PTML in Lagos. The 'Tokunbo' (used import) market is well-established but rules tightened in 2024 with stricter age limits and SONCAP enforcement. This 2026 guide covers RoRo and container costs, the 35% combined duty and the documentation Nigerian Customs (NCS) requires.

Per saloon door-to-port from UK Midlands. RoRo to Tin Can Island (Lagos): £1,250, transit 18–22 days. Container shared 40ft: £1,495, transit 22–28 days. Sole 20ft container: £1,795. SUVs +£200, vans +£400. Sailings via Tilbury and Felixstowe weekly. PTML terminal (Port and Terminal Multiservices) is the dedicated RoRo facility — most efficient for vehicle cargo. See Nigeria destination page.

Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) certificate now mandatory for all used vehicles. Issued by approved UK inspection agents (Cotecna, Intertek, SGS) at £85–£150 per car before shipping. Maximum vehicle age 12 years on date of entry (2014 model year or newer in 2026). Older vehicles refused or impounded. Diesel cars over 3.0L heavily surcharged. SON Nigeria publishes the SONCAP rulebook.

Documents: Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, V5C log book, passport, SONCAP certificate, Form M (banking pre-import declaration via Nigerian importer's bank). Duty 20% on CIF, plus 15% surcharge and levies = ~35% total tax. VAT 7.5% on duty-paid value. Clearance 7–14 working days with NCS-licensed agent (mandatory). Total destination charges typically £950–£1,650. Tin Can and PTML often congested — allow buffer time.

Nigeria's Tokunbo (used car) market favours specific UK exports. Top sellers 2026: Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Lexus RX350, Toyota Sienna minivan, Mercedes E-Class. Avoid European hatchbacks (Ford Fiesta, VW Polo) — no resale demand. Vehicle condition matters less than in Gulf — Nigerian buyers tolerate higher mileage but expect functional aircon and reliable automatic transmission. Damaged-title vehicles sell at heavy discount.

Four recurring issues. (1) Missing SONCAP — vehicle held in port at £45/day storage. (2) Form M errors — wrong HS code, mis-stated value, importer name mismatch. (3) Wrong port consignee — Tin Can vs PTML, easily fixed pre-arrival, expensive post-arrival. (4) Counterfeit broker scams — only use NCS-licensed agents with verifiable license numbers. See destination customs guide.

UK to Nigeria car shipping in 2026 starts at £1,250 RoRo to Lagos with 18–22 day transit. SONCAP compliance, 12-year age limit and ~35% duty are the binding constraints. The Tokunbo market favours Toyota/Honda/Lexus reliability over European stock. Use only NCS-licensed brokers and budget 7–14 days for clearance.

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