It’s the first question most Nigerian buyers ask once they’ve found a truck they like. The honest answer: yes, it’s a well-established route, but finding the right vehicle is only one part of it. You’ll also need to plan for shipping, Nigerian customs clearance, duties and levies, port procedures and the correct paperwork.
This guide covers the practical process of importing a used truck from the UK to Nigeria, plus a free checklist to help you prepare.
Why Buy a Used Truck from the UK for Nigeria?
The UK is one of the world’s more established markets for used commercial vehicles, which is part of why so many transport operators, logistics companies and fleet owners search for used trucks for sale Nigeria buyers can trust.
Sourcing from the UK can offer practical advantages:
- A wide range of makes, models and specifications (tractor units, rigid trucks, tippers and plant machinery) in one market
- The ability to compare vehicles on mileage, engine type and axle configuration before committing
- Access to vehicles that have generally operated under UK maintenance and testing standards
None of this means every UK truck is the right choice. Condition, history, mileage and suitability for Nigerian operating conditions vary by vehicle, so judge each truck on its own merits, not simply on where it comes from.
How to Import a Used Truck from the UK to Nigeria
Importing trucks from UK to Nigeria follows a fairly consistent sequence:
- Define what you need: vehicle type, chassis configuration, engine size and budget.
- Find and inspect a suitable truck: photos, video and specification, questions answered before committing.
- Confirm specification and documents: VIN/chassis number, year, mileage and service history.
- Agree the purchase and shipping terms: price, payment and who arranges shipping.
- Arrange export from the UK: the seller completes the DVLA’s permanent export notification and prepares shipping paperwork.
- Open your Nigerian import documentation: start a Form M with your bank.
- Obtain a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), issued by Nigeria Customs Service before the vessel arrives.
- Complete customs procedures once the truck lands.
- Pay the duties, levies and charges assessed by customs.
- Clear the port and arrange inland transport to its final destination.
A licensed clearing agent typically manages steps 6 to 10 on the importer’s behalf.
What Documents Do You Need to Import a Used Truck into Nigeria?
The documents required to import trucks into Nigeria fall into two groups: UK sale and export paperwork, and Nigerian customs clearance paperwork.
From the UK side, you’ll typically need a commercial invoice, the vehicle’s registration document (V5C) with the DVLA’s permanent export section completed, chassis/VIN details, year, mileage and specification, and a bill of lading once shipped.
For Nigerian customs, an importer or clearing agent will generally need:
- A Form M, opened through a Nigerian bank
- A Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), from Nigeria Customs Service’s electronic system
- The commercial invoice, packing details and bill of lading
- Identification or business documentation for the importer
- Any further certificates Nigeria Customs requires for that vehicle category at the time
Exact requirements depend on the importer’s circumstances, the vehicle and current rules, so always confirm the current list with Nigeria Customs Service or a licensed clearing agent before shipping.
Used Truck Import Duty in Nigeria: What Will You Pay?
How much does it cost to import a truck to Nigeria? There’s no single flat figure. The total depends on the truck’s assessed customs value, its classification and current government policy, so it’s never simply the purchase price plus one duty percentage.
Nigeria also applies an age limit on used vehicle imports, tightened several times in recent years, and limits differ between passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. Confirm the current limit for your truck before committing, and allow a safety margin for shipping time.
Truck import duty Nigeria applies is calculated on the assessed CIF value (cost, insurance and freight) under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, with further charges layered on top, typically a National Automotive Council levy and VAT, that stack rather than add to one number. Duty and levy policy has changed more than once recently, including revisions Nigeria Customs Service confirmed under its 2026 fiscal policy. Don’t rely on a figure you’ve seen online, get a current, vehicle-specific assessment before you buy.
Beyond duty, budget separately for:
- Shipping/freight from the UK
- Customs duty, levies and VAT
- Port and terminal charges
- Your clearing agent’s fee
- Inland transport to final destination
- Any inspection or documentation charges that apply
Calculate your expected landed cost, truck price plus every charge above, before you buy, not after it reaches port.
Which Ports Can Be Used to Import Trucks into Nigeria?
Most used trucks arrive through Lagos, at Apapa or Tin Can Island, which handle the bulk of the country’s containerised and roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo. Onne, near Port Harcourt, is also used, particularly for buyers in the south and east.
The right port depends on where your business operates, current congestion and your shipping line. No port is always cheapest or fastest, and conditions change. Whichever port you use, customs clearance for trucks in Nigeria follows the same core sequence: PAAR assessment, duty and levy payment, examination, and release. Ask your UK supplier or clearing agent which port suits your route.
Free Used Truck Import Checklist for Nigeria
Before committing to a truck, map out the following across three stages.
Before Buying
- Truck specification, age and mileage or hours
- Vehicle history and condition
- Service records, where available
- Photos and video of the actual vehicle
- Chassis/VIN details
- Agreed purchase price and estimated shipping cost
Before Shipping
- Commercial invoice
- Vehicle export documentation (V5C permanent export)
- Bill of lading and shipping schedule
- Importer’s information
- Nigerian customs requirements confirmed
- Destination port agreed
Before Port Clearance
- Form M and PAAR in place
- Duty and tax estimate calculated
- Licensed clearing agent appointed
- Port/terminal charges budgeted
- Inland transport arranged
- Final landed-cost figure confirmed
Want this as a downloadable checklist? Contact RPC Trading on WhatsApp and ask for the “Nigeria Truck Import Checklist.”
Common Mistakes When Importing Used Trucks into Nigeria
Most import problems are avoidable. Common mistakes include:
- Buying on advertised price alone, without checking condition
- Skipping a proper inspection or video walkaround before paying
- Forgetting to budget for shipping, duty, levies and port charges
- Not calculating the full landed cost before committing
- Relying on outdated duty or age-limit information
- Leaving port clearance arrangements until the truck has arrived
Most of these come down to preparation. Confirming details early, in writing, avoids most delays and unexpected costs.
How to Choose the Right UK Supplier
Not every UK seller is set up to support an international buyer. Look for one offering:
- Clear, honest vehicle descriptions, including known faults
- Photographs and video, ideally a full walkaround
- Transparent pricing with no hidden extras
- Service or maintenance history where it exists
- Responsive communication, including WhatsApp
RPC Trading is a family-run UK business selling used trucks and plant machinery to customers across the UK and worldwide, including Africa. Every vehicle in our current stock, from tractor units and rigid trucks to tippers and plant machinery, is described honestly, and we’re happy to talk through condition, specification and shipping.
Ready to Source a Used Truck from the UK?
Successfully importing a used truck into Nigeria isn’t just about the lowest advertised price. It’s the combination of truck condition, purchase price, shipping, duties and levies, port charges, clearance and inland transport that decides whether it was genuinely a good deal.
RPC Trading is a UK-based, family-run supplier of used trucks and plant machinery, shipping to customers across the UK, Africa and worldwide. If you’re comparing used trucks for sale in Nigeria or ready to buy used trucks from the UK for Nigeria, we’re happy to talk through your requirements, preferred truck type and intended use.
Speak to RPC Trading on WhatsApp, call 07745 690912, or get in touch to start the conversation.
FAQs
Can I import a used truck from the UK to Nigeria?
Yes, provided the truck meets current age and eligibility rules and the right customs documentation is in place. Confirm requirements with Nigeria Customs Service or a licensed clearing agent before you buy.
How much is import duty on a used truck in Nigeria?
It varies. Duty is calculated on the truck’s assessed CIF value under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, plus further levies and VAT, and rates change. Get a current, vehicle-specific assessment before committing.
What documents are required to import a truck into Nigeria?
At minimum, a Form M, a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), a commercial invoice, a bill of lading, and UK export paperwork such as the DVLA’s permanent export section of the V5C. Exact requirements depend on your circumstances.
Which Nigerian ports handle truck imports?
Apapa and Tin Can Island in Lagos handle most vehicle imports, with Onne near Port Harcourt also used, particularly for buyers in the south and east.
How much does it cost to ship a used truck from the UK to Nigeria?
It depends on size, weight, shipping method (container or roll-on/roll-off) and shipping line. Get a specific quote for your chosen truck.
How long does it take to import a truck from the UK to Nigeria?
Timelines depend on shipping schedules, port congestion and how fast paperwork clears both ends. Build in a buffer, not a fixed date.
What should I check before buying a used truck from the UK?
Condition, mileage or hours, service history, chassis/VIN details, and clear photos and video before you commit. Then confirm the full landed cost, including duty, shipping and port charges, before you pay.
