How to Import a Used Car from Korea to Nigeria (2026 Guide)
Published Aug 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Illustrative opening - a composite scenario, not a real named buyer or transaction.
Chidi had priced the same Hyundai Santa Fe three times in one week - once at a Lagos dealer's lot, once from a broker who promised to "sort the papers," and once, out of curiosity, directly on Encar.com. The first two prices were close. The third, once he converted it, wasn't. The car wasn't the difference. Everyone standing between him and it was.
Direct answer
Nigeria bans right-hand-drive vehicles outright, which means Korean cars - all built left-hand-drive - are already in the correct configuration with no conversion needed. Vehicles manufactured more than 12 years ago cannot be imported (2026 → 2014 or newer). Expect approximately 20% import duty on the customs value, plus a National Automotive Council levy of 5%, 7.5% VAT, and smaller charges - an effective total of roughly 35-40% of value for smaller engines. Cars typically arrive via the Port of Tin Can Island / Apapa in Lagos or the Port of Onne near Port Harcourt.
Key facts
Updated August 2026- Age limit: vehicles older than 12 years cannot be imported (2026 → 2014 model or newer). Some port commands are reported to apply a stricter, unofficial cutoff in practice - confirm current enforcement before committing.
- Steering: right-hand-drive vehicles are banned. Left-hand-drive is required, which every Korean domestic car already is.
- Duty/tax: approximately 20% import duty + 5% NAC levy (reduced from 15% on 1 July 2026) + 7.5% VAT + 0.5% ECOWAS levy + 7% duty surcharge - roughly 35-40% of value effective for smaller engines.
- Ports: Tin Can Island / Apapa, Lagos (primary) or Onne, Port Harcourt (secondary).
Why Korean cars fit Nigeria's rules exactly
Nigeria's right-hand-drive ban is a real barrier for cars sourced from right-hand-drive markets - it's the reason Japanese-market imports (which are RHD) face conversion costs or outright rejection. Korean domestic cars don't have that problem at all: every one is built left-hand-drive from the factory. EncarExport gives Nigerian buyers direct, self-serve access to Encar's full live catalogue, with every listing carrying its official Korean inspection record.
The route: Lagos or Port Harcourt
Tin Can Island and Apapa, both in Lagos, handle the majority of Nigeria's vehicle imports and are the most established route. Onne, near Port Harcourt, is a real secondary option. Container or RoRo shipping both apply depending on the shipment.
The 12-year rule - and the enforcement gap worth knowing about
The federal rule is a clean 12-year cutoff, but multiple reports describe individual port commands applying a stricter, informal limit in practice - closer to 10 years at some locations. This is exactly the kind of detail worth confirming for your specific shipment before you commit to a car, since the documented rule and what happens at the dock aren't always the same thing.
What to check before you commit
Beyond Nigeria's own rules, the same buyer-side checks apply here as anywhere: verify the car's real condition against its official inspection record rather than photos alone, confirm there's no outstanding lien, and get the full duty breakdown in writing for your specific car and engine size.
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FAQ
Can I import a right-hand-drive car to Nigeria?
No - right-hand-drive vehicles are banned outright. Korean cars are all left-hand-drive, so this isn't a concern with our stock.
How old can the car be?
Up to 12 years from manufacture under the federal rule (2026 → 2014 or newer), though some ports reportedly enforce a stricter cutoff in practice - worth confirming for your specific shipment.
How does the car get from Korea to Nigeria?
By container or RoRo shipping to Tin Can Island / Apapa in Lagos, or to Onne near Port Harcourt.
How much will duty actually cost?
Roughly 35-40% of the car's value effective for smaller engines, combining several separate charges. Message us with the specific car and we'll confirm the exact figure.
Found a car you're considering importing to Nigeria? Message us on WhatsApp - we'll confirm current pricing, the car's inspection record, and the full landed cost including duty, levies and VAT.
See it for yourself, on a real car
Every listing on our site includes Korea's official inspection record, reproduced unaltered.
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