Car Shipping from USA to Nigeria | Ship a Car to Lagos — Runandrive LLC
USA → Nigeria shipping

Ship a car to Nigeria from the USA

Full service — we find, buy, and ship any vehicle from US auctions to Lagos. RoRo & container. No brokers, no hidden fees.

500+Cars shipped to Nigeria
15+Years in business
4.9★Customer rating

Contact us now

We reply within 1–2 hours. Choose any way to reach us.

or send a request directly
Get a free quote →
Licensed US dealer
No brokers or middlemen
Bank invoice payments only
Copart & IAAI direct access
Full port photo report
Insurance available
Why buy in the USA

Why Nigerians ship cars from the USA

Nigeria is one of the largest vehicle import markets in Africa. US auction cars offer a combination that's hard to beat anywhere else.

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Save 30–50%

US auction cars cost significantly less than local dealership prices in Nigeria, even after shipping and duties.

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Massive selection

Sedans, SUVs, pickups, trucks, luxury vehicles, electric cars — every make and model at Copart & IAAI.

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Transparent history

Every vehicle traceable via Carfax / AutoCheck: mileage, accidents, owners, insurance claims — no surprises.

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Secure transactions

Bank invoice payments only. No cash, no third-party transfers. Runandrive is a licensed US dealer.

The process

How we ship your car to Nigeria

We handle every step — from finding your car at a US auction to delivering it to the port of Lagos.

01
Submit a request
Tell us make, model, year, budget. We respond within 1–2 hours.
02
Find & bid
We search Copart, IAAI, Manheim. You approve — we bid.
03
US transport
Car transported from auction to warehouse or departure port.
04
Export docs
Title, bill of lading, EEI export declaration — all verified.
05
Ocean shipping
RoRo or container to Port of Lagos. 18–30 days transit.
06
You pick it up
We provide all documents for customs clearance in Nigeria.
Start my shipment →

Or contact us on WhatsApp / Telegram

Shipping methods

RoRo or container — which is right for you?

Both methods ship from US East Coast ports to Lagos. Choose based on your vehicle type and budget.

RoRo shipping

Vehicle driven directly onto the ship and secured on the car deck. Most affordable and widely available option for standard running vehicles.

From $1,200East Coast → Lagos
18–25 daysOcean transit
  • Lowest shipping cost
  • Available on all major USA–Lagos routes
  • Best for running sedans, SUVs, pickups

Not sure which method suits your car?

Send us the details — we'll recommend the best option and give you an exact price.
Get a quote →
Pricing

How much does it cost to ship a car to Nigeria?

The total cost includes ocean freight, Nigerian import duties, and customs clearance fees.

Ocean freight — RoRo (East Coast)$1,200 – $2,000
Ocean freight — RoRo (Gulf Coast)$1,400 – $2,200
Ocean freight — container (East Coast)$1,800 – $2,800
Ocean freight — container (West Coast)$2,200 – $3,500
Nigerian import duty (~35% of CIF)Varies by vehicle
VAT on import (7.5%)Varies
CISS levy (1% of FOB value)Varies
Customs clearance (port agent fees)$200 – $500
Marine insurance (optional)1.5 – 2% of value

Get your exact shipping cost

Tell us the car details — we calculate the full cost including freight, duties, and fees. Free, no obligation.

Calculate my cost →
Port information

Shipping to Lagos — ports & transit times

Most vehicles arrive at one of two ports in Lagos. We handle all logistics and advise on the best routing.

⚓ Port of Apapa, Lagos

Nigeria's main commercial port and primary destination for vehicle imports. Handles the majority of RoRo and container shipments from the USA. Well-connected to road networks across Nigeria.

⚓ Tin Can Island Port, Lagos

Alternative port adjacent to Apapa with generally less congestion. Suitable for container cargo. Some shipping lines route vehicles here for faster processing.

US departure portMethodTransit to Lagos
East Coast (Baltimore, New Jersey)RoRo or Container18 – 25 days
Gulf Coast (Houston)RoRo or Container22 – 30 days
West Coast (Los Angeles, Oakland)Container28 – 38 days

These are ocean transit times only. Add 3–7 days for inland transport to the US port, and 5–14 business days for customs clearance in Nigeria. Shipping delays can occur due to port congestion at Apapa, customs holds, or vessel schedule changes — Runandrive keeps you updated at every stage.

Vehicle preparation

How to prepare your car for shipping from the USA

Proper preparation helps avoid delays and protects your vehicle during transit.

Before drop-off at the port

  • Remove all personal belongings from interior and trunk
  • Reduce fuel to ¼ tank or less — required by most terminals
  • Ensure the battery is charged and secured
  • Check for fluid leaks — leaks can cause rejection at the terminal
  • Document existing damage with photos before shipping
  • Disable aftermarket alarms if possible

After your car arrives in Nigeria

  • Arrange a licensed customs agent (clearing agent) for documentation
  • Have all original shipping documents available at the port
  • Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before signing any release documents
  • Verify VIN and condition match the bill of lading
Copart & IAAI

Can I buy a car at a US auction and ship it to Nigeria?

Yes — and this is one of the most popular services Runandrive LLC offers. Purchasing through US auto auctions gives Nigerian buyers access to thousands of vehicles at wholesale prices.

01
Find the right car
We search auctions based on your make, model, year, budget, and condition requirements.
02
Bid & purchase
We handle the auction bidding process on your behalf — no dealer license needed on your end.
03
Arrange shipping
We book RoRo or container shipping from the USA to Lagos — best route and rate for your vehicle.
04
Handle docs
Title transfer, EEI export declaration, bill of lading, and all customs documentation.
05
Track shipment
Full visibility from US port to Lagos — we update you at every stage until pickup.

Whether you're looking for a clean-title daily driver, a repairable SUV, bulk vehicles for your dealership, or auto parts from US salvage yards — Runandrive LLC is your end-to-end partner for shipping cars from the USA to Nigeria. We also offer vehicle dismantling and parts export for buyers who prefer to import components rather than whole vehicles.

Import regulations

Nigerian import rules — what you need to know

We verify eligibility on every vehicle before bidding. Here's what matters most.

Age restriction

15-year vehicle age limit

Nigeria restricts the import of vehicles older than 15 years from the manufacture date. As of 2024, vehicles manufactured in 2009 or earlier are generally not eligible for import — this applies to both private buyers and commercial importers.

Runandrive verifies every vehicle's model year before bidding. If a car is borderline, we flag it before purchase.

Allowed

Salvage & repairable title vehicles

Nigeria does not explicitly prohibit salvage or rebuilt title vehicles. Import duty is calculated on the vehicle's assessed CIF value regardless of title status — making US auction salvage cars a cost-effective option for Nigerian buyers.

Runandrive specializes in Copart and IAAI salvage purchases for export to Nigeria. We handle all documentation for salvage exports.

Required pre-shipment

Form M & CISS inspection

Form M is a mandatory Nigerian bank declaration that must be obtained before the vehicle is shipped. It is issued by a Nigerian bank and declares the import transaction. Without Form M, the vehicle cannot be cleared at the port.

CISS (Combined Inspection and Scanning Service) is a pre-shipment inspection required by Nigerian Customs. A CISS certificate must be obtained before the vessel departs the US port.

We handle it

Required import documents

  • Original vehicle title (clean or salvage)
  • Bill of lading — issued by the shipping line
  • Commercial invoice / bill of sale
  • Packing list
  • Combined certificate of value and origin
  • Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) — Nigerian Customs
  • Form M — Nigerian bank declaration
  • CISS inspection certificate
Customs duties

Nigerian import duty structure

All duties are calculated on the vehicle's CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight):

  • Import duty: ~35% of CIF value
  • VAT: 7.5% of (CIF + import duty)
  • CISS levy: 1% of FOB value
  • Surcharges and port fees: variable

For a vehicle with a $5,000 CIF value, total customs cost typically adds $2,000–$2,500.

Good to know

Port congestion at Apapa

The Port of Apapa in Lagos is one of the busiest in West Africa and is known for significant congestion. Customs clearance that officially takes 5–14 business days can extend to several weeks during peak periods.

Using Tin Can Island Port as an alternative, or working with an experienced clearing agent, can reduce delays. Runandrive advises on the best routing for each shipment.

Why Runandrive

Why choose Runandrive LLC for vehicle shipping to Nigeria?

Runandrive LLC is a licensed US automotive dealer specializing in vehicle procurement, export, and global shipping. No brokers, no intermediaries, no hidden fees.

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Full-service in one place

Search, purchase, export documentation, and ocean shipping — all handled by one team from auction floor to Nigerian port.

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Direct auction access

We buy directly from Copart, IAAI, Manheim, and ADESA. No middlemen means lower fees and faster processing for your vehicle.

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Regular Nigeria shipments

Frequent sailings to Lagos mean faster consolidation, shorter wait times, and competitive rates compared to one-off shippers.

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Parts & salvage sourcing

Need parts instead of a whole car? We source and ship auto parts and dismantled vehicles from US junkyards to Nigeria.

Customer reviews

What our customers say

Real customers who shipped cars from the USA to Nigeria with Runandrive LLC.

★★★★★

"Runandrive managed auction bidding, loading, and shipping. All I had to do was pick up my car at the port. Super convenient. Car arrived in 26 days exactly as described."

George — Nigeria
★★★★★

"Bought a salvage SUV from Copart. They handled everything from bidding to customs docs. Saved about 45% vs local price. Third shipment with them — always transparent."

Chukwuemeka O. — Lagos
★★★★★

"Always transparent on pricing, no surprises at customs. They know exactly what documents Nigeria requires. I trust them completely for all my vehicle imports."

Adaeze N. — Abuja
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about shipping cars from the USA to Nigeria.

Ocean freight starts at around $1,200 from the US East Coast (RoRo). Add Nigerian import duties (~35% of the vehicle's CIF value), VAT (7.5%), and port/customs fees. For a $5,000 vehicle, total landed cost typically ranges from $4,500 to $7,000+. Contact us for an exact calculation.
Ocean transit from the US East Coast to Lagos takes 18–25 days. Add 3–7 days for domestic US transport to the port, and 5–14 business days for customs clearance in Nigeria. Total time from purchase to pickup is typically 6–10 weeks.
Yes. Salvage and repairable vehicles from Copart and IAAI can be imported into Nigeria. Import duty is calculated on the assessed CIF value regardless of title status. Runandrive specializes in purchasing and shipping auction vehicles — including salvage titles — to Nigerian buyers.
Nigeria restricts the import of vehicles older than 15 years from the manufacture date. We verify the vehicle's model year before every purchase to ensure it qualifies for import.
Yes. Even if you purchased a vehicle elsewhere — at an auction, from a dealer, or a private seller — Runandrive can arrange pickup, inland transport, container loading, and ocean shipping to Nigeria.
Nigerian import duties are approximately 35% of the vehicle's CIF (cost + insurance + freight) value, plus 7.5% VAT, a CISS levy of 1% of FOB value, and various port fees. On a vehicle with a CIF value of $5,000, customs alone can add $2,000–$2,500. We calculate the full cost before you purchase.
To export a car from the USA to Nigeria, you need a valid vehicle title, bill of sale, and export declaration (EEI via AES). The car is transported to a US departure port, loaded onto a vessel (RoRo or container), and shipped to the Port of Lagos. Runandrive LLC handles the entire process on your behalf — from auction purchase to port delivery.
Ocean transit from the US East Coast to Lagos takes 18–25 days. From the Gulf Coast it's 22–30 days. Add 3–7 days for inland transport to the US port and 5–14 business days for customs clearance in Nigeria. Total time from purchase to pickup is typically 6–10 weeks.
Shipping costs vary by destination country. Nigeria (Lagos) is one of the most established routes, with RoRo rates starting around $1,200 from the US East Coast. Other African destinations may cost more due to less frequent sailings or longer transit distances. Contact us for a quote to any African port.
Ready to ship?

Get your car shipped to Nigeria from the USA

Full service from start to finish. Licensed US dealer, no brokers, transparent pricing. We reply within 1–2 hours.

© 2026 Runandrive LLC — Bridgeton, NJ, USA +1 551 253 9938 · info@runandrivellc.com
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