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Buying Cars from USA and Importing Them to Nigeria – A Guide for Nigerian Buyers

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You know the story: You see a car you like on an American classified site or automotive blog, and it sparks your interest. The price seems affordable and your research reveals that it’s well under the cost of a new car in Nigeria. It sounds like a great opportunity to buy a car for less money and avoid the high taxes, registration and title fees, road worthiness test, and other hurdles involved with buying a new car in Nigeria. So you begin the process of researching which state has used cars you are interested in (probably West Virginia, Tennessee, or North Carolina), how much they cost new vs. used, shipping companies to transport them to Nigeria… All this while keeping an eye on exchange rates to ensure that importing cars from USA is not more expensive than buying from a Nigerian dealership.

Is Importing Used Cars from USA to Nigeria Worth It?

The main advantage of buying a used car from the USA and importing it to Nigeria is the price. A 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage, for example, costs about $13,000 new in the USA, but it’s usually $4,000 to $5,000 cheaper if you buy a used car. A second advantage is the selection. You might not find the exact model that you want in your local market and that’s why your best bet is a car imported from the USA. Depending on the model and year of the car, you might also be able to drive it right off the ship. That means no waiting for the vehicle to be cleared through customs because it’s already been inspected and given a clean bill of health by the shipping company.

Which Brands of Cars Are Available in USA?

You can find pretty much any make or model of used car in the USA, including luxury cars like a Mercedes-Benz that might cost twice as much if you bought a new one. Some of the most popular brands of used cars available in the USA include Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Chevrolet, Toyota, and Kia. There are also American car brands (e.g. Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota) that you can find in used car lots in the USA. There are also a huge number of American and foreign car brands that are no longer in production, making them harder to find in the USA. If you have your heart set on one of these, you are more likely to find it in a used car lot outside the USA.

Finding the Right Car for You

Finding the right car for you might involve a lot of detective work, but it’s worth it in the end. The first thing you want to do is identify the car model you want to buy. You can do that by looking for that make and model on American automotive websites. You can also ask your friends and family members who have imported cars from the USA before or have a contact in the used car business. Once you have narrowed down the list to one or two models you are interested in, you should check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to see if they have been recalled. The NHTSA is a government agency tasked with making sure all vehicles on the road are safe.

How to Import a Car from USA to Nigeria

The best way to go about importing a car from the USA is to contact a customs broker. A customs broker will help you handle the import process and make sure you are following all the regulations. The first step is to find a customs broker in Nigeria who deals with car importation. Most of the well-known customs brokers in Nigeria deal with the importation of cars, so you should have no trouble finding one. You can also find customs brokers through online forums and social media groups. Once you have a customs broker, you need to provide them with your shipping details. The shipping company will give you a Bill of Lading (similar to a receipt or invoice) that you take to your customs broker. From there, the broker will take care of the rest. You will have to pay them a fee, but it’s usually cheaper than what you would have paid to handle the entire process yourself.

Conclusion

The advantages of importing a used car from the USA to Nigeria far outweigh the disadvantages. You can save thousands of dollars and still get a vehicle with low mileage that has been well maintained. Keep in mind that the process of importing a car might take a couple of months, so it’s best to start planning early to avoid any delays. When you are ready to start shopping for a car, use online resources like Autotrader, Carvana, and Bring a Trailer where you can find thousands of used cars at great prices.