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RoRo vs container: which suits your car?
RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) is how most cars cross to Nigeria. The vehicle is driven onto a specialist car-carrier vessel in the UK, secured on deck, and driven off at the Lagos end. It’s the cheapest method — from ~£450 for a saloon at typical market rates — because you’re paying for deck space, not a steel box. The trade-offs: the car must be driveable, nothing can be shipped inside it, and it travels exposed to the port environment at both ends.
Container shipping puts the car inside a sealed 20ft or 40ft box, alone or shared with another vehicle. It costs more (container rates are quote-only — POA), but the car is locked away for the whole journey, non-runners can be loaded, and operators may permit personal effects packed around the vehicle, subject to declaration. For a Tokunbo-grade family saloon, RoRo wins on price. For a newer or higher-value car — or one carrying a house move around it — the container premium is usually worth paying.
Undecided? Tell us the car, its value and whether it runs — we’ll match the method. Containers are covered further on the sea freight page.
Car shipping costs to Nigeria
These are typical market rates — your exact quote depends on the operator, vehicle and destination. See the wider price list for everything else moving on the corridor.
| Method | Guide rate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo — saloon | from ~£450 | 5–7 weeks |
| RoRo — SUV / van | quote-based (larger deck footprint) | 5–7 weeks |
| 20ft / 40ft container | POA — get a quote | 5–7 weeks |
The UK-side freight price is only part of your total budget: Nigerian import duty and clearing charges at the Lagos end are separate, and usually the larger number. More on that below.
Paperwork: the V5C and export basics
You’ll need the V5C logbook proving you own the car, plus matching photo ID. Before the car sails, notify the DVLA of permanent export using the relevant section of the V5C — that ends your UK tax liability from the export date. Clear any outstanding finance first: operators run finance checks, and a car with money owing will not board. Your matched operator lists the exact document set — typically 3–4 items — when you book; keep copies for the Lagos clearing agent.
Nigerian import duty: what to budget for
High-level pointers only — clearing rules change, and the deep detail belongs with your clearing agent (and in our forthcoming guides section):
- Import duty and levies are charged on the vehicle’s assessed value at the Nigerian end — for many cars the combined charges rival or exceed the freight cost, so get a clearing estimate before you buy the car, not after it sails.
- Older vehicles can attract proportionally harsher charges, and Nigeria restricts the import of cars beyond certain ages — confirm your car’s age is currently importable before booking.
- Budget for port and clearing-agent fees at Lagos on top of duty.
Operators we work with can introduce clearing agents and quote a realistic landed cost for your exact car. Ask for the full number up front — a £450 crossing means little without the Lagos-side total. No stories.
How long does car shipping to Nigeria take?
Allow 5–7 weeks from UK port to release at Lagos. RoRo vessels sail to schedule — typically every 1–2 weeks — so total time depends partly on catching the next departure. Add margin for Lagos port congestion and clearing formalities, which stretch timings in busy periods, especially October to December. For a fixed deadline, work back at least 2 months and tell us the date in your enquiry.
How booking works
- Send the details — make, model, year, running or not, and where in Nigeria it’s headed — via the quote form or WhatsApp 07587484631.
- Get matched — we connect you with an operator on the UK–Lagos vehicle lane, usually within 1 working day, with RoRo and container prices to compare.
- Documents and delivery to port — sort the V5C and finance clearance, then drive the car to the departure port or arrange transport; some operators collect by trailer for an extra charge.
- Sail, clear, collect — the operator confirms the sailing, and their Lagos-side agent handles arrival. You pay the operator directly; no payment is taken on this site. See how it works for how progress is tracked.
Car shipping to Nigeria — FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a car to Nigeria?
Typical market rates start from ~£450 for a saloon by RoRo; SUVs and vans cost more for the larger deck space, and container shipping is quote-only. Nigerian duty and clearing are charged separately at the Lagos end and often exceed the freight cost. Get a quote for your exact vehicle.
How long does RoRo shipping to Nigeria take?
Allow 5–7 weeks from UK departure to release at Lagos, including the crossing and port formalities. RoRo vessels sail roughly every 1–2 weeks from the major UK car ports, and Lagos congestion can add time in busy periods — build 2 months of margin around any fixed deadline.
Is RoRo or container shipping better for my car?
RoRo is cheaper — from ~£450 for a saloon — and suits driveable, everyday vehicles. Containers cost more but protect newer or high-value cars in a sealed 20ft or 40ft box, take non-runners, and may allow declared personal effects. Tell us the car’s value and condition and we’ll match the method.
Can I ship a car that doesn’t start?
Not by standard RoRo, which requires the vehicle to be driven on and off the vessel. Non-runners go by container, or by RoRo with special towable handling where an operator offers it — both cost more. Flag the car’s condition in your enquiry within the first 1 message so quotes are accurate.
What documents do I need to ship my car?
The V5C logbook in your name, matching photo ID, and confirmation any finance is settled — typically 3–4 documents in total, which your matched operator confirms at booking. Before sailing, complete the V5C’s permanent-export section for the DVLA so UK tax ends at export. Keep copies for the Lagos clearing agent.
Can I pack my belongings inside the car?
Not on RoRo — vessels require vehicles to travel empty, and items left inside are removed or refused at the port. Container shipments may allow declared personal effects packed around the car at the operator’s discretion. For household goods, a separate barrel or box shipment at £2.50–£3.50/kg is the reliable route.
How much is Nigerian import duty on a car?
It varies with the vehicle’s assessed value and age, and for many cars the combined duty, levies and clearing fees rival or exceed the freight cost of from ~£450. Age restrictions also apply to what can be imported. Ask for a landed-cost estimate with your quote before committing to a purchase.
Get your car shipping quote
Tell us the make, model, year and destination, and we’ll match you with an operator who ships cars to Lagos every month — RoRo from ~£450, containers priced on request, and a straight answer on the Lagos-side costs. Get your free quote, WhatsApp 07587484631, or email [email protected]. Sending cargo as well as the car? See sea freight, door-to-door shipping or the price list.