Shipping a Car from Dubai to Togo and Benin: Lomé, Cotonou and the Nigeria Rule

Cotonou has long been one of West Africa's busiest used car markets. A 2014 tralac report put Benin's imports at 314,000 vehicles a year and estimated that 80 to 90 percent were destined for Nigeria. That trade changed when Nigeria closed its land borders to vehicle imports on 1 January 2017. This guide to shipping a car from Dubai to Togo and Benin covers which port to choose, the paperwork Lomé and Cotonou expect, how the car travels and what the Nigeria rule means for your plans.

For most buyers, the answer depends on where the car will be registered. If it will stay in Togo or Benin, or continue by road to Niger or Burkina Faso, ship it to Lomé or Cotonou. If its final home is Nigeria, ship it straight to Lagos, because Nigeria accepts vehicle imports only through its seaports.

Lomé or Cotonou: which port fits your car#

Both countries drive on the right, so the left hand drive cars in our stock suit them, and both ports also serve landlocked neighbours. Our destinations page lists Lomé and Cotonou among the gateway ports we ship to.

Choose the port your clearing agent works at. A car that will be registered in Lomé should land in Lomé; a car for Niamey can go through either port, and the bill of lading must then say it is in transit to Niger, as Maersk's Togo import notes explain.

The Nigeria transit question#

For years, many Nigerian buyers landed cars in Cotonou or Lomé and drove them across the border, because duty there was lower than in Lagos. The Nigeria Customs Service ended that route: since 1 January 2017, new and used vehicles may enter Nigeria only through its seaports, as the ICIR reported when the ban was announced. In 2026 the restriction was still in place, with operators calling for a review of the "nine-year-old restriction", according to Leadership.

Our Nigeria import guide sets out the duty stack, the green surcharge by engine size and the 12 year age rule for cars cleared at Lagos.

Documents for shipping a car from Dubai to Togo and Benin#

The ECTN catches many first time buyers. Maersk's Togo page says every shipment to Togo, transit cargo included, has needed an ECTN since 1 December 2015, and its Benin import page lists the ECTN for Benin and Niger cargo too. Ask for it when you book, not when the ship is already sailing. Our car export documents checklist explains each UAE side document in order.

RoRo or container to Lomé and Cotonou#

A running car usually travels RoRo, driven on and off the vessel. A container suits high value cars, cars that do not run or buyers shipping two cars together. Our RoRo versus container guide compares the two, and the UAE to Africa shipping page shows each step from Jebel Ali.

Freight to Lomé and Cotonou is quoted per car, because it depends on the method, the car's size and the sailing. Transit time also varies by sailing and transhipment, so we confirm it with your quote rather than promise a fixed figure.

Marine insurance is optional. Our insurance rates start from 1.0 percent of the insured value for Total Loss Only and 1.75 percent for All Risk Marine.

Duty and costs at the destination#

Togo and Benin each charge their own import duty and taxes, assessed by customs on arrival, and port and terminal charges are added on top. We do not publish rates we cannot confirm for your exact car, so ask your clearing agent in Lomé or Cotonou for the bill on the specific make, year and engine before you pay for the car.

The Dubai side is easier to pin down: our cost to export a car from Dubai breakdown lists every charge before the car sails.

Which cars suit Lomé and Cotonou#

Buyers in both cities tend to favour cars with cheap parts and simple servicing. A used saloon such as this 2021 Toyota Corolla XLI is a common choice, while families heading inland often look at a compact SUV. Always check the steering side, spec and VIN on the listing before you reserve, and ask us about any price that looks wrong, because our team is still correcting some listing prices.

Frequently asked questions#

What is the cheapest way to ship a car?#

For a single running car, RoRo is usually the most economical option, because the car is driven on board and no container is needed. If you are shipping two cars, or a car with parts, a shared container can work out better, as our RoRo versus container guide explains.

How much will it cost to import a car from Dubai?#

The total is the car price, the Dubai export paperwork, freight quoted per car, optional insurance and the duty in your country. The RTA export certificate costs AED 70, or AED 140 with export plates, and the UAE car export documents guide lists the rest of the Dubai side.

How much does it cost to import a car to Nigeria?#

Nigeria charges a combined import duty and levy base of about 40 percent of the CIF value on passenger cars, plus 7.5 percent VAT and a green surcharge of 0, 2 or 4 percent by engine size. Our Nigeria import guide runs a worked example for a car cleared at Lagos.

How much is Cotonou to Lagos by road?#

The coastal road through the Seme border is a short drive, but for a car the distance is not the issue. Nigeria has accepted vehicle imports only through its seaports since 2017, as Leadership reported in 2026, so a car meant for Nigeria should be shipped to Lagos.

Can I ship a car from Dubai to Niger through Cotonou or Lomé?#

Yes. Both ports are gateways for Niger, and Lomé also serves Burkina Faso. The bill of lading must state that the car is in transit, and the ECTN must be in place before sailing, as the Maersk Benin import page sets out.

Browse 700+ cars or send the car you want#

Choose a left hand drive car from the current inventory and ask for a shipping quote to Lomé or Cotonou. Or send us the car you want with your budget and final destination, including any inland country, and we will come back with options, or use the WhatsApp button below.