How Do You Import Cars into Nigeria

Owning and driving a car in Nigeria is a symbol of status and class. This is one of the reasons why some people have fleets of cars and still acquire more. This just shows that car dealers are really making huge profit from their business. Being that cars are in high demand in Nigeria, this has made the automobile market a ripe one for foreign automobile manufacturers. If this is the case, how can you have your share in this lucrative automobile sector of the Nigerian economy? Since the import and export business is one of the profitable businesses in Nigeria today, importation of cars is not an exception.

Like the import and export business, automobile importation into Nigeria is easy but requires extensive research. Here are a few steps to start your car importation business.

1. Find Out What Works

There are various brands of cars in Nigeria, but do they all have the same demand? Just like any other business, your profit from car importation depends on the kinds of cars you import as well as their demand. Another thing to take note of is that not all car brands have available spare parts in Nigeria. Why would you import a car whose spare parts are hard to come by? Do your research and find out exactly the brands that make profit here in Nigeria.

2. Partner with Car Distributors

Not all car distributors are involved in importation and not all distributors market all car brands. Some specialize in selling selected brands. Meet with any distributor and find out if they could use your services. Also, if they are into the importation of cars into Nigeria, you could do yourself a favour by getting to know about their foreign contacts and clearing personnel who make the whole import process possible. 

3. Obtain Required Documents

Before you can bring cars into the country, you need to

• Obtain a Ship Entry Notice (SEN) from the Operations Department of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) or a licensed agent.
• Afterwards, you collect a Bill of Lading from the shipper which will contain all the details of the ship and its cargo.
• This document is then sent to the Nigerian Port Authority Central Office for Planning and Information.
• You will be given a Bill of Entry which you will register with the Nigerian Customs Service.
• You then proceed to the shipping company to ensure the Release of your goods.
• When your Bill of Lading is checked, you will be issued a Delivery Order (D.O.) which you will fill and submit back to the shipping company.
• The D.O. is then sent to the Terminal Operator and you pay the required amount.
• The Delivery order is then sent to the delivery point and you await your cargo. Once received, it is checked and good to go.

 The global automobile industry is growing and cheaper brands are being produced. Take advantage of this and grow your import business.

 

Other car-related posts:

• http://howtonaija.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-get-international-driving-permit.html

REFERENCES

1. Clearing Procedure. Retrieved from: http://www.nigerianports.org/dynamicdata/uploads/ClearingProcedure.pdf
2. How to Import New or Used Nigeria Car from the US or Japan. Retrieved from: http://www.business-travel-nigeria.com/nigeria-car.html
3. Business in Nigeria- Selling Cars. Retrieved from: http://www.business-travel-nigeria.com/business-in-nigeria-automobile.html