Car is one of the fastest moving import commodities in Nigeria & that's not changing anytime soon. Import a Corolla today, any year (from 2005), upload on Jiji, IG, Nairaland, etc, & you'd see. Although customs will only deal with accredited agents, also have their benchmark value for cars irrespective of your personal calculation, it pays to know how the system works.
I want to highlight the following;
1. Shipping Method
2. The condition of the car
3. The model number & year of manufacture
4. The formula
Shipping Method: There are 3 main types;
a) RORO (Roll on, Roll Out) - Here, your car is driven into the ship at the port of loading, car is driven out of ship at port of landing.
b) Container Shipping Method - Here, the car is loaded into containers. This is advised mostly where the car is used. A 40ft contain can take up to 4 or 5 sedans. The 20ft container takes upto 2 or 3 sedans. Most times, using containers can be cost effective. Note that you'd pay container deposit which is refundable when you return the container to the shipping company.
c) Aircraft Carrier Method - This is for the big boys. Often used when the car is expensive & needs to be delivered on time - typically within 24-48hrs.
PS: The shipping method will determine charges like terminal landing charges, destination shipping invoice & its customs valuation cost.
Condition of the Imported Car.
This is one of the major factors that determine the cost of the clearance in Nigeria. The Harmonized Systems (HS) Code % of each car type is determined whether the car is new or used. The HS code for imported cars starts from 8702101110 to 8704909000 on the Nigeria Customs Server . This will determine whether the importer will pay levy or any other fee to clear the car at the port.
Imported New Cars Percentage:
Import Duty – 35% of CIF. This is the percentage value of HS code of the product or the items. It will be use with CIF (the Cost of the goods, insurance value on the goods and Freight and shipping cost of the item from country of supply to country of destination.
Levy - 35% of CIF
Port Surcharge – 7% of Import Duty. This is paid to Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) or Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
ELTS - 0.5% of CIF. ECOWAS Liberation Trade Scheme, this is paid to ECOWAS Trade community.
CISS - 1% of CIF. Comprehensive Inspection Supervision Scheme, this is charged by customs services and other agencies for examination of the product, goods and cars at the ports.
VAT - 7.5%
Imported Used Cars Percentage:
Import Duty – 35% of CIF
Port Surcharge – 7% of Import Duty
ELTS - 0.5% of CIF
CISS - 1% of CIF
VAT - 7.5%
The Model Number & Year of Manufacture.
Any car manufacture year ie. more than 15yrs can't be imported. Each model number alongside the year of manufacture attracts Customs CIF benchmark. As an importer, you'd need to discuss your cars shipping with both freights forwarding company & custom agent in Nigeria