Ordinarily, clearing a car from the PORTS should be an easy and largely automated task as it's usually done in other advanced part of the world. However, it is plagued with bureaucracies, system downtime, crowd of people to struggle against and dangerous traffic on Apapa roads to contend with when clearing in Lagos.

Individuals are usually restricted from handling their clearing jobs themselves. Only licensed clearing agencies get online access and access cards to do the job. This does not mean it is not possible for an individual to clear a car personally. However, they will still need the assistance of a licensed clearing agency at one point or the other.

Today, I will be sharing this interesting article and will be taking us through the basic steps involved in clearing a car at the Pprt.

1. Get the vehicle’s Bill of Lading:

It will be sent to you by your foreign shipping agent. They can send the original bill of lading through courier services (DHL, FedEx, etc). Alternatively you can opt for it to be sent to you via email if you want to do “Telex Release” or “Print at Destination” in which a copy of the bill of lading can be printed here in Nigeria.

Please know that, without this document, it is impossible to do anything in respect of clearing your vehicle. The bill of lading contains the information of the vehicle you want to clear e.g the name, the year, VIN/chassis number, weight, name of vessel, port of origin, port of discharge as well as the details of the shipping agent abroad and the consignee who will receive the vehicle in Nigeria.

2. Apply for import duty valuation:

The application must be on the letter head paper of a Registered and Licensed Custom Clearing Agency. A copy of the bill of lading will be attached to the application letter which will be addressed to the Nigeria Custom office e.g TINCAN, PTML Command etc. Unfortunately, individuals cannot apply for this valuation directly, so you have to apply for it through a clearing agency.

In response to the application letter which will be submitted physically, the Customs officials will write the dollar ($) value of the vehicle and this dollar value is what is used to calculate surface duty which is 35%. Additional 35% levy is charged on brand new cars which makes it 70%. This is how to calculate the surface duty assuming the dollar rate of a car is $4000.

$4000 X 35% (import duty rate) X #326(Custom official Dollar exchange rate) = #456,400

Note: This value is just the surface duty and you’ll still have to pay for Tax, Terminal, Shipping and other charges.


3. Input the valuation into the custom server:

After getting the valuation from the custom command, the details will have to be inputted into the custom server. This is officially called “Direct Trader Input (DTI)”. However, it is popularly referred to as[b] “Punching”[/b]. It is the unique procedure for submitting electronic manifest to Nigeria Custom Service and it can only be done through the same registered agency whose letter head paper was used to apply for the valuation. The Tax Identification Number of the consignee will also be needed at this stage.

Upon completion, print the DTI also called “Assessment Notice” as well as SGD (Single Goods Declaration Form). The SGD gives a description of the transaction e.g type of vehicle, the terminal it is located, duty amount and content of the car if anything is loaded in it.

4. Pay import duty:

The import duty has to be paid to the bank that was stated while punching. The document needed by the bank for import duty payment is the assessment notice.

After the payment is made, the bank will issue a bank receipt. Some banks now accept online payment but evidence of payment will still be picked up from their branch.


5. Physical inspection and releasing from customs:

Collate all the documents and submit them to the custom office. The required documents are: bank receipt, assessment notice, SGD, valuation copy and bill of lading. Upon submission, the documents are registered then they’ll schedule the vehicle for physical examination. This will enable them sight the car and confirm that it tallies with the submitted documents.

They confirm the make, year and VIN/chassis number of the vehicle. They will also check the amount paid for duty and confirm if there is any load in the vehicle after which a report will be submitted to the releasing officer. At this point, the vehicle may not be released if the amount paid is less than the required import duty as an[b] “Alert[/b]” may have been placed on that vehicle until the outstanding is paid.


6. Print exit at the Terminal:

After releasing, proceed to the Terminal with the SGD to print exit copy, you can print this with the C-Number on the custom document if you like. This is the simplest of all the processes.


7. Release from Shipping Company:

Collate all your ocuments to get the car released from the shipping company. The required documents include signed original bill of lading, SGD, exit copy and signed copy of the consignee’s identity (e.g Drivers Licence, International Passport, National ID and duly stamped/singed Certificate of Incorporation for companies). You also need a copy of the Form C30 (Custom document that permits clearing agencies to operate) and an authority letter from the agency whose details was used to apply for valuation. The shipping company will check all these documents then give an assessment to pay for shipping and terminal charges which can be paid as cash, through POS or online transfer.

8. Sign Gate at Custom Office:

Proceed to register and sign at the gate office. The custom release document and the exit copy from the shipping company will be needed. They will check the duty paid and verify it on the system. After which, the officer in charge will stamp and sign-off your document.

9. Collect TDO (Terminal Delivery Order):

To collect the TDO, the shipping company’s payment receipt and copy of the signed gate document are required.

10. Receive delivery of the vehicle at the floor:

Documents can now be submitted for the vehicle to be delivered to the open floor ready to cross the final exit gate.


11. Final custom check:

At the floor, a custom officer and a shipping company official will do their final checks before the car drives out of the port.


12. Final fees:

Before the vehicle is driven out of the gate, final fees will be paid to custom officers on duty, clearing agent’s association, omo-onile fees etc.

Don’t forget to like, rate and share.


Note:These steps are subject to change without notice and may vary from one shipping line or terminal to another. We used cars shipped through Grimaldi and Sallaum RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) as case study for this write up.



Are you looking for a reliable Customs Clearing Agent? Stop the search, FIDEX VENTURES will get the job done. We clear and deliver to you in no time, Fidelity is our watchword.

Get your consignment cleared and delivered as shipped, RORO/CONTAINERIZED & GENERAL CARGO. 

Contact FIDEX VENTURES on:
Call/Whatsapp: 08103884330
Email: fidexventures@mail.com
Website: https://fidexventures..com

...always stick to fidelity.

Importing cars is not a problem, na to clear the car for port be the real problem.

Hmmm

Snipper007:
Importing cars is not a problem, na to clear the car for port be the real problem.

Very correct

Importing cars into Nigeria is cheap at first phase but not at the last. The last phase, being the clearance phase, isn’t always a bed of roses. But then, the hassles would be nothing with your idea of how to clear imported cars in Nigeria.

This article will show you how to clear imported cars in Nigeria the same way I do.

With just 11 steps, your car will be ready for Nigerian roads.


Step 1

Get Your Waybill or Car B/L

The first and foremost thing on how to clear imported cars in Nigeria is to obtain this receipt. B/L is an acronym for Bill of Lading and it is also sometimes represented as BoL. In some cases, it’s called waybill but I prefer to address it as car’s Bill of Lading in this case. This is a receipt given by the carrier to the shipper. It acknowledges the receipt of the car(s) being shipped and specifies the terms of car(s) delivery. It also contains the details of the car you are importing from anywhere to Nigeria and is very important. I need not repeat that it contains the information about the car you ship and would be necessary for clearance.

There are three (3) ways of obtaining this receipt. You can get it via any Nigerian courier service that will be convenience for you, through TELEX or request for a softcopy via email (Print at destination). Most people preferred a softcopy which will be forwarded to their email, then proceed to print it as hardcopy to kick-start the clearance procedures.


Step 2

Ascertain Car’s Import Duty

Import duty is simply the car importation taxing and does not refer responsibility, as you might think. This step is where a clearing agency would be needed. Since it requires a simple letter writing, there are computer stalls around that’ll draft an agency’s letterhead for you. In fact, they have various registered clearance agency’s letterhead and you’d just have to pick the one your mind prefers. Once the draft is certain and ready, the content should be such that requests import duty valuation of your car. In case you did not obtain your B/L, you need it because you’ll attach it to the letter. It’s, in some cases, the first slip that the Nigerian Customs wold look out for.

During this phase, the details of your car on B/L is what determines your car import valuation. For instance, if car B/L details states that your car is new, you’ll incur additional 35% levy from the initial 35% surface duty. I’ll write more on this in the section below where I state the cost of car importation clearance in Nigeria.


Step 3

Obtain Valuation Site and Perform DTI

DTI means Direct Trader Input and refers to the input of car valuation on Customs web base. This should cost just few minutes, if not seconds of your time. This is a simple upload that requires sincerity. I refer to this stage as the ‘property declaration’ stage because you’ll upload info beyond your car. Apart from the car, whatever other item is present in the car must be stated and must undergo import valuation. Besides, if you devalue your import duty, when Step 6 inspection takes place, it’ll affect you with delays and questioning. During this stage, ensure that you have verified with your valid Tax Identification Number (TIN). You would slightly have to rapport with a certified clearance agency at this time to scale this stage. I’m suggesting this in case you do not have TIN. Besides, every process requires the TIN.


Step 4

Print SGD and Assessment Notice

SGD refers to Single Goods Declaration. This step on how to clear imported cars in Nigeria is just a few-seconds step. It involves a simple printing of forms and these forms must contain the appropriate car information. Whatever happens, do not alter or falsify any information about your car. If you should dare to falsify any info, let it not be the Customs import valuation of your car. You might be tempted to do this, but don’t because all of these would be verified again and again before your car exits port. It is moments such as this that also cause people’s car to be impounded.


Step 5

Import Duty Valuation Payment

There are two payment options available, it’s either you inconvenience yourself through the bank or simply pay online. Anyways, I won’t digress this writing from what I do. I always pay mine through the bank and I also present my Assessment Notice form to the bank. Whichever payment method you use is not an issue.


Step 6

Car Details Verification and Inspection

During the times I was preaching ‘sincerity’ up there, it was to avoid setbacks here. Insincerity doesn’t count on how to clear imported cars in Nigeria because you are risking impoundment. This is the time when you’ll submit all the forms you’ve been collecting. They include Bill of Lading (B/L), Payment Receipt (bank or online), Import Duty Valuation Papers, Assessment Notice and Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form. All these forms must be the originals and not photocopies, unless otherwise.

Note, provided information must tally with details on each form or slip. When the inspecting officers come forth, they expect to find exactly what is present on each form. Your car import valuation duty must remain untampered. If there are tampers, they’ll of course be a revaluation of the car import duty. And when it doesn’t correspond, questioning customs eyebrows will stare at you fiercely. If there is an extra imported item in the car, they’ll also verify that it was valued during first stages. If it isn’t valued, it’s regarded as insincerity and you risk further expenses or seizure.


Step 7

SGD Form Submission to Appropriate Shipping Company

The submission of your Single Goods Declaration form follows as step 7 on how to clear imported cars in Nigeria. This is only, but a sort of confirmation that you will be making to show that the car is yours. Simply locate the office of the shipping company responsible for the freighting of your car. Submit the Single Goods Declaration form and obtain a copy of an exit form to proceed. With your shipping company’s exit slip or form in your palms, you’re nearing the end process.


Step 8

Request for Car Release

Here is the stage where you make your final payments to the shippers. Again, you’ll gather your initial forms including B/L, SGD, Copy(s) of Exit and a valid means of identity. Your identity medium could be your valid National ID card, Valid Driver’s License, and even your Voter’s Card. Various shipping agents do have their requirements in terms of your identification but it won’t deviate from this. Also, if you have none of these but your International Passport is in place, it will make a good option. The little problem however, is that you need also, a Customs Authority Card which is renewed annually. This is the form that licensed clearance agencies conventionally possess to qualify them for several other clearances. The shipping firm, in a bid to maintain some form of decadence would demand for it. But then, you can pay it off or obtain surety from a licensed agent to proceed.



Step 9 – Quarter Final

CIU Stamp/Signature

To proceed further on how to clear imported cars in Nigeria, locate the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU). There, do not wait to ask or read what is required to avoid delaying yourself. Simply make ready, the car release document issued to you during the valuation stages. Submit this form alongside the exit copy issued by your car shipper and your payment receipt. Verifications will be carried out and if successful, the document will be stamped and signed by the officer. This process can only be unsuccessful if the servers encounter problems with verification. And of course, this can only be caused by submitting faulted documents.



Step 10 – Semi Final

Proceed to Terminal Operator Office

Here is where you make your final payments and to the terminal operator office. You will be issued a terminal charge or debit note and you’re to pay at designated banks. Return here after making payments to obtain your Delivery Order (DO) and have your car released by your shipper. The terminal operator will also issue you a Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) to finalize things.



Step 11 – Final

Final Vehicle Movement and Final Verifications

Here is when your vehicle moves to the final gate and for final verifications. The customs Officer there would crosscheck every detail of the said car. When it’s certain that it tallies with your documents, you’ll be allowed out. You can park somewhere, call your lover and inform him/her of your new wheel’s arrival and run the Nigerian roads.


Cost of Clearing Imported Cars in Nigeria

I promised to guide you on the cost strategy of clearing imported cars in Nigeria. After knowing how to clear imported cars in Nigeria, do not fail also to know the cost.

If you were attentive to the guide above, you’d have seen that there were several offices that charges. The only thing is that I didn’t list the prices. The reason is because these cost differs by car. This is to say that your car model, type, production year and so on determines what you pay. This particularly applies when you’re dealing with customs because they’ll value your car and charge you by the value. This is what is called import duty valuation. This valuation bases on your car description, like I stated earlier. I will not provide you with an accurate cost but I’ll provide you with a titbit guide.

Also, the charges from customs is determined by Dollar rate. This means that the higher the rate of Dollars (#326), the higher the cost to be incurred and vice versa. Let’s take a quick rundown on how import duty is ascertained by the Nigerian Customs. The percentage rate rallies around 0% to 35%. And in the case of your car, it’s a simple mathematics that will help you. All you do is multiply the cost of your car by the valuation rate and the current Dollar rate (Car Price X Valuation Rates X Dollar Rates {#326}).


Duration of Clearing Cars in Nigeria

The duration of clearing cars in Nigeria is determined by a number of factors. These could include validity of forms, number of clearance applicants etc. Another thing is laziness and frustration which could force you to delay. This is caused probably by your inability to verify documents and many others. In essence, it can take as long as you want to clear an imported car in Nigeria. But, the average time is just about three days to five days.

Author’s Note and Conclusion

There aren’t much difficulties associated with the entire process. However, there are certain vital documents you do require to avoid delay. To get these documents, you may resort to rapport with a licensed agent or provide yours. And you know, obtaining those forms like the form C30 or Customs Authority Card might be tasking.

So, seeing how to clear imported cars in Nigeria in person, what do you think? If you can proceed to run the processes alone, fine but if you can’t, contact me on 08103884330. At least, with this article, you’ve known how the processes go and can monitor your clearance agent better. This is how to clear imported car in Nigeria. Changes might come in along the process and you just have to be conscious on them.

Are you looking for a reliable Customs Clearing Agent? Stop the search, FIDEX VENTURES will get the job done. We clear and deliver to you in no time, Fidelity is our watchword.

Get your consignment cleared and delivered as shipped, RORO or CONTAINERIZED & GENERAL CARGO.

Contact FIDEX VENTURES on:
Call/Whatsapp: 08103884330
Email: fidexventures@mail.com
Website: https://fidexventures..com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/111957433535408/posts/128718835192601/

...always stick to fidelity.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has implemented an increase in import duty payable on cargoes from N326 to N361 per dollar following a new foreign exchange policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 

Customs spokesman, Joseph Attah, who confirmed the development to SHIPS & PORTS in Lagos on Thursday, said the implementation of the new exchange rate takes immediate effect. 

He said, “Yes, I can confirm that a new exchange rate is being implemented effective from today (Thursday). However, Customs do not fix exchange rate, ours is to use whatever is fixed as the official rate by CBN.” 

Clearing agents operating at the ports have, however, criticized the NCS for not sensitizing and consulting with them on the new policy, which they said would add to the cost of clearing cargoes at the port and prices of goods in the market.

Speaking with SHIPS & PORTS, National Vice President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Kayode Farinto, described the implementation of the new policy as an act of insensitivity by government especially now that the country is dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic and its negative impact on businesses. 

 “The issue of exchange rate is being controlled by CBN but the stupid thing about Customs is that notes and documents must have been exchanging hands between them and CBN for days before today. Rather than notify or even sensitize agents that government wants to increase the exchange rate so that people can prevail on them to reconsider it, nothing was said by Customs.

“We just woke up this morning to find out that the rate has been changed on Customs system without due consultation. It is not too healthy for government to do that. This is an act of insensitivity especially now that we are even trying to convince stakeholders to come to the port as essential workers. 

“Knowing full well that the oil sector is gone, government is supposed to latch on the window we have in the maritime sector to see how we can continue to manage so that the economy will not be in comatose. But from all indications, it shows that the policy formulators of this country are confused and unfortunately, they are going to bring down this country,” he said.

Another frontline clearing agent, Ugochukwu Nnadi, also speaks on the implication of the new exchange rate.

“Once the exchange rate is increased, it will translate to an additional cost of doing business. When such things happen, there has never been any notice or sensitization. We only log into the Customs system this morning (Thursday) and see that it been changed. The only time we were informed is when they wanted to increase tax from 5 percent to 7.5 percent but anytime they want to increase exchange rate, they don’t inform us even if you have your Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) document ready before that time. Once the increment is effected, the first exchange rate is nullified and you will need to abide by the new one,” he said.  

Are you looking for a reliable Customs Clearing Agent? Stop the search, FIDEX VENTURES will get the job done. We clear and deliver to you in no time, Fidelity is our watchword.

Get your consignment cleared and delivered as shipped, RORO/CONTAINERIZED & GENERAL CARGO. 

Contact FIDEX VENTURES on:
Call/Whatsapp: 08103884330
Email: fidexventures@mail.com
Website: https://fidexventures..com

...always stick to fidelity.