How To Import Fairly Used Cars From Canada To Nigeria (2024)
In this post, we shall be discussing about how to import fairly used cars from Canada to Nigeria currently in this year 2024. If you have always dreamt of owning a fairly used car that’s imported from abroad, precisely Canada, and you do not know how to go about it, this article will guide you on what to do to successfully land your vehicle in Nigeria.
It is a known fact that car business in any part of the world is a very lucrative business and the cost of getting a brand new, tear rubber motor vehicle can be really expensive, that is why many people go for fairly used vehicles imported from abroad as this is way cheaper, although you’ll still spend money but not as much as you’ll be required to if you’re buying the latest model of a particular car brand.
Used cars from abroad, especially Canada come with a variety of options as you can tell the dealer the exact year and model that you want and can get it at the right prices. The processes involved in buying these tokunbo cars are not as rough and tough as getting brand new ones here in Nigeria, and these fairly used cars from Canada to Nigeria are very durable and long lasting depending on how well you can maintain them.
Many car users in the developed world know how to make use of their cars and ultimately sell them when they no longer want them, leaving them in pristine conditions, and as such, you may be forgiven for thinking that your fairly used car is brand new. I have had situations where some of my friends bought cars from abroad and what they got was really worth it, with just some minor works done here and there to improve the appearance of the car.
If you also want a fairly used, clean car from Canada to Nigeria, you can but you will have to follow some important steps to get your car to your doorstep and that is why you are reading this article to know what to do when the time comes. In order to import a tokunbo car from Canada to Nigeria, that car must be transported by road to the North American customs service for checks after which the car can be cleared and passed fit for shipment via the sea upon confirmation that the required documents are all available.
STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO IMPORT A FAIRLY USED CAR FROM CANADA INTO NIGERIA 2024
In order to import a fairly used car from Canada to Nigeria successfully this 2024, it is very important to follow the necessary steps:
THE NECESSARY PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS FOR THE CAR
If you are shipping a motor vehicle to any country from abroad, it is very important that the necessary papers and documentation for that particular car is made available so as not to get into trouble with the relevant authorities. Some of the required documents include the following:
- Model and the makeup of the car
- Chassis number of the vehicle
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Year of car manufacture (Very important because cars manufactured more than 15 years ago are prohibited from being shipped into Nigeria).
CHOOSE THE PREFERRED METHOD OF SHIPPING THE CAR FROM CANADA TO NIGERIA
You should determine before hand which method is best suitable for you to move your car from Canada to Nigeria. Two main shipping methods exist depending on your location and from where you are shipping. These two methods include the Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO) shipping method and the Container shipping method. Whichever way is best to ship your vehicle is fine.
If you want to go for the RORO shipping method, your car must be in very good condition without any defects.
A car qualifies for the RORO shipping method if it meets the following requirements:
- It must move under its own power
- It must not have any broken glass or missing windows
- All its tyres must be complete and inflated (it must not have any flat tyres)
- It’s doors, trunk (boot), and hood (bonnet) must be able to close safely and securely
- It must not have any significant body damage
- The car must not constitute a biohazard and neither should it leak any fluids
- There should be no deployed airbags in the car
- Flooded or water-damaged vehicles often have additional requirements and fees.
The RORO shipping method is a popular method of shipping cars from Canada to other countries around the world but it does not have the convenience of container shipping and it exposes your car to the elements as this involves driving the car directly into a ship for transport to the destination that it is needed, and once the ship docks, it is driven out of the ship and unto the land.
The cost involved in using the RORO shipping method depends on the shipping company you decide to patronize. One thing is certain though, your car will be safely shipped from Canada to you in Nigeria after it has been cleared by the Nigerian Customs Service.
The container shipping method as the name implies, involves putting the car in a container and shipping it from Canada to Nigeria. It is a safe way to ship your vehicle and while it protects your car from the elements, it also comes with its own disadvantages as it can subject your car to damages as a result of being put in a container.
FILL OUT THE DOCK RECEIPT
If you are in Canada, irrespective of the shipping company you’re going through to bring your car into Nigeria, you will be provided with a dock receipt. This receipt is a document that you must fill out and it must capture necessary information such as the credentials of the car, the sender and the owner in the respective fields. After filling it out, you should hand this receipt over to your shipping agent.
PROCESSING THE DOCK RECEIPT
Upon handing your shipping agent with your dock receipt, the receipt will now be processed and sent back to you within a two-day time frame. The processed dock receipt will capture information about the port where your fairly used car will be delivered.
MAKE AVAILABLE PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR DOCK RECEIPT
After you must have received your processed dock receipt, you are expected to make at least six copies of it, or the number of copies as instructed by the shipping company you’re going through in importing your car into Nigeria from Canada. The photocopies of your dock receipt will be required at the port and if you forget to make the copies, you will be charged $1 per copy at the port.
TAKE ALONG WITH YOU THE CAR AND ITS DOCUMENTS TO THE PORT
You can then take the car to the port along with the necessary documents. Once at the port, the port officer will accept the car, stamp the documents and return one stamped and signed receipt to you. This stamp should contain the date on which the car is brought to the port. Also, only items that are a part of the car such as the car tyres, bumpers, etc., will be allowed inside the car during shipping. Your shipping company can give you the best idea regarding this.
CONFIRM THE SHIPPING SCHEDULE
You should contact your shipping company if you do not know the estimated date of the shipment setting sail and the possible delivery time. You will be required to pay the necessary shipping fees four or five days after the delivery ship sets sail meaning that you need to know the estimated shipping date for your car as this is very essential.
BILL FOR LADING
You will also be required to pay the bill for loading your cargo into the ship which in this case is your car. This is what is known as bill for lading. Once you’ve been notified to pay your shipping fees, you should clear your payment as soon as possible so as to receive the bill for lading which will be sent to you when the shipping fees are cleared. Delayed receipt of the bill of lading attracts demurrage and this depends on the length of the period of delay.
CLEARING YOUR SHIPMENT IN LAGOS
Once you get your bill for lading, you should make several photocopies of that and send to your agent in Lagos so that they can start communicating about the shipment with the customs contacts they have. You can send your originals as well. These will be delivered within 5-7 days depending on courier company.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR AGENT
Once your agent in Lagos has gotten the original copies of the bill for lading, you will be notified whether your car has arrived in Lagos. If it has arrived, the clearing procedure for it can start in earnest. Endeavour to stay in touch with your agent and ask for regular updates so that they do not lose focus and take on other tasks that they have.
NOTE: If you are in Nigeria and you’ve been waiting for your car to arrive from Canada, you will not be able to control every aspect of the shipping process. What you can do however, is to ask someone you already know to ship the car for you from Canada to Nigeria and take care of all the processes involved or you can rely on a trusted agent for this purpose.
