Import Japanese Car to Nigeria — Complete Guide 2026

Q: What documents do I need to import a car from Japan to Nigeria?

JEVIC Inspection Certificate, Form M (pre-import approval), Combined Certificate of Value and Origin, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Insurance

Age Limit

Max 15 years

Manufactured 2011 or later

Import Duty

~70% total

~70%+ total: 35% customs levy + 35% import duty + 7.5% VAT + additional levies

Steering Side

RHD

Right-hand drive. Nigeria drives on the right officially but uses RHD heavily.

Transit Time

18–22 days

From Japanese port to Nigeria

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Nigeria's 15-year age limit:

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Lagos (Apapa Port) 🚢 Tin Can Island Port 🚢 Onne Port (Port Harcourt)

📋 Required Documents

📄JEVIC Inspection Certificate

📄Form M (pre-import approval)

📄Combined Certificate of Value and Origin

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄Insurance

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Obtain Form M from Nigerian bank before purchase

Buy vehicle max 15 years old

Get JEVIC inspection

Ship to Lagos or Tin Can Island

Pay all duties at Nigeria Customs Service

FRSC (Federal Road Safety) registration

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

~70%+ total: 35% customs levy + 35% import duty + 7.5% VAT + additional levies

⚠️ Important: Duty rates change regularly. The figures above are based on 2026 rates and are for guidance only. Always confirm current rates with a licensed customs agent or freight forwarder in Nigeria before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Vehicles over 15 years not allowed

⛔Form M must be obtained before shipping

⛔Some vehicle types attract higher duties

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

JEVIC inspection required. SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria) inspection.

🛡️ Safety Guide — Before You Buy

Always verify the auction sheet first. Get the original JP Sheet verification report before committing to any vehicle — confirms grade, mileage, accident history and all damage marks.
Check for flood damage. The Japanese inspector notes the word 冠水 (flood) in the auction sheet notes section. This is only visible with a full translation — never skip translation if buying for an important purpose.
Use a licensed freight forwarder who specifically handles Japan-to-Nigeria imports. They know local customs requirements, common delays and documentation pitfalls.
Verify the exporter. Check the company is registered, has verifiable reviews, and provides a full paper trail including export certificate and shipping documents.
Never pay full price before the car ships. A deposit is normal — paying 100% before shipping is a major fraud risk.
Check the chassis number matches across all documents — auction sheet, export certificate, bill of lading and invoice must all carry the same number.

💡 Import Tips for Nigeria

Form M is critical — you must obtain this from a Nigerian bank BEFORE the vehicle is shipped. Without it, your vehicle cannot clear customs. Budget for very high total duties.