Nigeria Market · Last updated 2026-05-11

Korean Used Cars Export to Nigeria — SH GLOBAL

Nigeria is West Africa's largest used car market, with Lagos and Abuja absorbing thousands of Korean imports annually. SH GLOBAL ships to Tin Can Island and Apapa ports via container or RoRo, with a 30-45 day Busan-to-Lagos transit. Nigeria's effective duty load runs 50-60% of CIF value once you stack the 20% base duty, NAC levy, VAT, and ETLS surcharges, plus mandatory SONCAP pre-shipment certification. Most Nigerian buyers target Korean SUVs and sedans in the $8,000-$25,000 landed range, with Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage dominating the 2017-2020 model year segment.

Nigeria's trusted source for premium Korean used vehicles. Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and luxury brands shipped directly from Korea to Lagos. Better quality, lower prices than Cotonou re-exports.

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Why Korean Cars Are Ideal for Nigeria

Better Than Tokunbo

Direct imports from Korea offer verified history, lower mileage, and transparent pricing — unlike many "Tokunbo" vehicles that pass through multiple hands with unknown histories.

Left-Hand Drive Ready

All Korean vehicles are left-hand drive (LHD), perfect for Nigeria's right-side driving. No conversion needed — ready to drive on Nigerian roads immediately.

Fuel Efficient

Korean engines are designed for fuel economy — critical given Nigeria's fuel prices. Modern GDI and turbocharged engines deliver more power with less fuel consumption.

Parts Availability

Korean car parts are widely available in Lagos (Ladipo, Mushin markets), Aba, and Nnewi. Growing dealer networks for Hyundai and Kia ensure long-term serviceability.

Popular Models in Nigeria

Toyota Camry

The "big daddy" sedan of Nigerian roads. Korean-sourced Camrys come with full service history and premium features at significantly lower prices than US imports.

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Hyundai Tucson

Rapidly growing in popularity. Modern SUV with excellent build quality, advanced safety features, and competitive pricing vs. Toyota RAV4.

View Hyundai Inventory →

Kia Sportage

Stylish compact SUV perfect for Lagos traffic and interstate travel. Feature-packed with touchscreen, reverse camera, and climate control as standard.

View Kia Inventory →

Mercedes-Benz E/C-Class

Luxury sedans for Nigerian executives. Korean-sourced Mercedes come fully loaded with documented maintenance history at 40-50% below new prices.

View Mercedes-Benz Inventory →

Toyota Highlander

Premium 7-seater SUV ideal for Nigerian families. Powerful V6, spacious cabin, and legendary Toyota reliability. High resale value in the Nigerian market.

View Toyota Inventory →

Importing a Car to Nigeria

Import Duties and Taxes

Nigeria applies the following charges on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value:

ChargeRateNotes
Customs Duty20%On CIF value
Surcharge (CISS)1%Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme
ETLS0.5%ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme
Levy35%Additional levy on vehicles (varies)
VAT7.5%On duty-inclusive value
Total Effective Rate~70% of CIF value

Key Regulations

  • No strict age ban — but vehicles over 15 years may face additional levies
  • Left-hand drive only — Korean vehicles are fully compliant
  • Form M required — import permit obtained through Nigerian banks
  • PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) must be obtained before arrival
  • SON conformity — Standards Organisation of Nigeria assessment may apply
  • Destination inspection — vehicles inspected at port of arrival

Cost-saving tip: Import directly through SH GLOBAL instead of buying via Cotonou (Benin Republic) re-export. Direct import gives you a clean Bill of Lading, proper documentation, and avoids the risks and hidden costs of transit through third countries.

Required Documents

  • Bill of Lading (B/L)
  • Commercial invoice
  • Form M (import permit)
  • Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR)
  • Packing list
  • Vehicle registration copy from Korea
  • Certificate of origin
  • Insurance certificate

Disclaimer: Nigeria customs duty (35% import duty + 35% levy on most passenger cars), age-limit policy (currently 12 years), and Form M / SONCAP requirements are reviewed periodically. The figures above reflect rates as of 2026-05. Always verify current rates with Nigeria Customs Service or your licensed clearing agent at Lagos before shipping.

Sample Landed Cost — 2017 Toyota Camry 2.5L

A representative calculation for an 8-year-old sedan — engine 2.5L gasoline, route Busan → Lagos by RoRo:

Line itemAmount
FOB Busan$7,800
Sea freight (RoRo, Busan → Lagos)$1,800
Marine insurance + Form M processing~$190
Import duty (35% of CIF)~$3,430
Levy (35% surcharge on passenger cars)~$3,430
VAT 7.5% + SONCAP + ETLS + clearing at Tin Can Island~$1,820
Total landed in Lagos~$18,470

Numbers are illustrative. Real quotes vary by KRW/USD/NGN, Apapa vs Tin Can Island congestion, and current Nigeria customs valuation database. Use the calculator below for your exact spec.

Shipping to Nigeria

Shipping Options

MethodRouteTransit TimeEst. Cost
RoRo Busan → Lagos (Tin Can Island) 5-7 weeks $1,200-1,800
Container (20ft) Busan → Lagos (Apapa/Tin Can) 5-7 weeks $2,500-3,500
Container (40ft) Busan → Lagos (2-3 vehicles) 5-7 weeks $3,800-5,000

Container shipping recommended for Nigeria to protect vehicles during the long voyage. A 40ft container can hold 2-3 vehicles plus spare parts. RoRo is more economical for single vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost to import a car from Korea to Nigeria?

Total cost includes: vehicle price + shipping ($1,200-3,500) + customs duty and levies (~70% of CIF). For a $10,000 vehicle, expect total landed cost of approximately $19,000-22,000 including all fees.

Is there a vehicle age limit for Nigeria?

No strict age ban. However, vehicles older than 15 years may face additional scrutiny and higher duties. We recommend importing vehicles under 10 years old for the best value.

How long does shipping take from Korea to Lagos?

Approximately 5-7 weeks for both RoRo and container shipping. Add 1-2 weeks for port clearance in Lagos. SH GLOBAL provides tracking throughout the voyage.

Are Korean cars left-hand or right-hand drive?

All Korean domestic-market vehicles are left-hand drive (LHD), perfect for Nigeria which drives on the right side of the road. No steering conversion needed.

Can I ship spare parts with my vehicle?

Yes, if using container shipping. We can pack spare parts, tires, and accessories inside the container alongside your vehicle. This is one of the key advantages of container shipping.

Is it cheaper to import directly or through Cotonou?

Direct import through SH GLOBAL is recommended. While Cotonou re-export may seem cheaper upfront, hidden costs (transit fees, border charges, vehicle damage risk, documentation issues) often make it more expensive and riskier.

What is the typical total landed cost for a 2017 Toyota Camry in Nigeria?

A 2017 Camry with a 2.5L engine and ~100,000 km currently lands at Lagos for roughly $17,000-19,000 — that's ~$7,800 FOB Busan + ~$1,800 RoRo + 35% duty + 35% levy + 7.5% VAT + Form M/SONCAP/ETLS + clearing. The 35% + 35% (duty + levy) is the main reason landed cost is so much higher than FOB for Nigeria.

Why is the duty so high — 35% + 35% on the same car?

Nigeria applies a 35% import duty plus a separate 35% levy on most fully-built passenger cars (the levy was introduced to incentivize local assembly). Commercial vehicles and locally-assembled brands have lower or zero levy. Always confirm the current rate for your specific HS code with Nigeria Customs Service before committing.

How does SH GLOBAL handle payment and Form M for Nigerian buyers?

Payment is by SWIFT bank transfer to a registered Korean corporate account (BRN 136-09-84466). Buyer-side: open a Form M with your Nigerian bank before shipment, attach the SH GLOBAL pro-forma invoice and inspection report, and use the approved Form M for customs clearance. SH GLOBAL does not accept crypto, transfers to personal accounts, or cash courier.

Related Guides for Nigeria Buyers

Nigeria Import Guide

Step-by-step from FOB selection in Korea to Lagos registration — Form M flow, SONCAP, and common rejection reasons.

Nigeria Customs Duty Breakdown

How 35% duty plus 35% levy stack on CIF for passenger cars, and which vehicle categories carry lower or zero levy.

Verify a Korean Exporter

BRN lookup, B/L verification, escrow alternatives, and red flags to walk away from.

Ghana Export

Compare Lagos vs Tema as a West Africa landing port — duties, transit, and re-export within ECOWAS.

Africa Export Trends 2026

Volume, top models, and price trajectory across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Best Korean Exporters 2026

What to compare when shortlisting an exporter: licensing, inspection rigor, payment safety, port access, language coverage.

Estimate Your Total Landed Cost — Nigeria

FOB price + ocean freight + customs duty + VAT + local fees. Get an instant ballpark estimate for any Korean vehicle imported to Nigeria, based on 2026 published rates. Free, no signup.

Open Calculator →

Result includes pre-filled WhatsApp message so you can request an exact quote in one tap.

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Ready to Import Your Car?

Contact SH GLOBAL today. We handle everything from vehicle selection to delivery at Lagos port. Free consultation available.

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+82 10-5804-8504

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