Good day fellow car owners and intending importers, I feel compelled to share this breakdown because of what is currently happening at Tin Can and Apapa ports. As many of you know, the Federal Government implemented a revised tariff structure reducing the base import duty on used passenger vehicles from 15% to 5% (with the NAC levy remaining at 15%). On paper, this was supposed to bring immediate financial relief to anyone importing a car.
In reality? Many clearing agents are still quietly billing unsuspecting car buyers using the old 15% rate, pocketing the difference, and blaming the final price on "customs increment." Let’s look at the true math on a real vehicle so nobody takes you for a ride. ------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE: 2016 Honda Accord NCS Assessed Value (FOB): $7,000 Exchange Rate Benchmark: ₦1,400/$ Estimated CIF Value: ₦11,760,000 ------------------------------------------------- WHAT YOU SHOULD PAY (New 5% Duty Rate): - Import Duty (5%): ₦588,000 - NAC Levy (15%): ₦1,764,000 - Surcharge (7% of Duty + NAC): ₦164,640 - CISS (1% of FOB): ₦98,000 - ETLS (0.5% of CIF): ₦58,800 - VAT (7.5%): ₦1,082,508 >> TOTAL ACTUAL CUSTOMS CHARGES: ₦3,755,948 WHAT AGENTS ARE STILL QUOTING (Old 15% Duty Rate): - Import Duty (15%): ₦1,764,000 - NAC Levy (15%): ₦1,764,000 - Surcharge (7%): ₦246,960 - CISS + ETLS + VAT: ₦1,333,682 >> TOTAL BILLED TO YOU: ₦5,108,642 THE GAP: Over ₦1,352,000 disappearing on a single sedan!
On an SUV like a 2018 Toyota Highlander or Lexus RX 350 where the assessed value is higher, that overcharge climbs well past ₦2.2 Million. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE PAYING YOUR AGENT: 1. Never accept a verbal or handwritten "lump sum" quote [e.g. "oga, clearing is ₦5.5m flat"]. 2. Ask your agent for the official PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) issued by Nigeria Customs.
3. Look at the exact line item for "Import Duty" on that document. If it does not reflect 5% for a used passenger vehicle, demand an explanation before you release one naira. I wrote a detailed line-by-line guide breaking down the documentation requirements, VehCAP inspection rules, and how to verify your PAAR on my blog here: https://accidentedcars.com.ng/nigeria-import-duty-reduction-2026-cars/ Also, if you are currently eyeing a car on Copart and want to calculate your real landed cost with the new 5% rates before bidding, you can use our free calculator here: https://accidentedcars.com.ng/nigeria-car-import-cost-calculator/ If you are currently clearing a vehicle and suspect your quote is inflated, drop the Year, Make, Model, and what your agent quoted you below. I will help you verify the real numbers. Let's discuss.
