How Long Does It Really Take to Import an EV to Nigeria?

The car arrived. The paperwork took another month.

A buyer in Ikeja ordered a BYD Seagull from China in January. The factory produced it quickly. The ship left Shenzhen on schedule. By mid-February, the vessel had docked at Apapa Port. He did not drive his car until the third week of March. Six weeks after the ship came in. The car sat at the port while documents moved between offices, agents, and banks. Demurrage fees at roughly $200 per day started stacking up.

Nobody had warned him about that part.

Who this guide is for

If you are a serious buyer thinking about importing an EV directly from China, the UAE, or the UK, this article walks you through the full process. Every step, every document, every realistic waiting period. We have combined shipping data, customs research, and Nigeria-specific port intelligence so you can plan your timeline properly, not optimistically.

Nigeria imports between 600,000 and 700,000 vehicles annually. Over 80% of those are used Tokunbo vehicles. Local production capacity sits at only 14,000 units per year against annual demand of 720,000 units. Imports are not a workaround. They are how this market works. But the process has friction that surprises most first-time EV importers.

The full process, step by step

Step 1: Do your Form M before you pay a single kobo (1 to 2 weeks)

Before you pay a deposit or place an order, you need a Form M. This is the mandatory import declaration form submitted to an Authorized Dealer Bank, which registers it with the Central Bank of Nigeria. You cannot ship goods into Nigeria without an approved Form M.

This cannot be expedited. Banks process it on their own schedule, and it must be fully approved before your vehicle leaves port overseas. Budget 1 to 2 weeks for this step alone. Many first-time importers skip this and then scramble to backfill the paperwork. That backfilling will cost you more than just time.

Step 2: SONCAP certification from the origin country (2 to 4 weeks)

SONCAP stands for Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme. It is not optional. Your vehicle needs two documents to clear Nigerian customs: a Product Certificate (PC) and a Shipment Certificate (SC).

The Product Certificate is the longer piece. It requires laboratory testing and takes 2 to 4 weeks to obtain, at a cost of $1,000 to $3,000 annually. Lab testing fees run $1,500 to $8,000 depending on the product. The Shipment Certificate can be issued within approximately one business day once the PC is ready and shipping documents are complete. It costs $500 to $2,000 per shipment. Your EV must also meet Euro II emission standards to qualify.

A SONCAP agent in China, the UAE, or the UK handles this process. If you are using a reputable freight forwarder, they will coordinate this. If you are going it alone, find a certified SONCAP body before you do anything else.

Step 3: Order placement and production wait (1 to 6 weeks, model dependent)

Once your Form M is approved and your SONCAP process is underway, you can place your order. For Chinese-made EVs, Tesla Model 3 delivery wait times in China as of February 2026 are 1 to 3 weeks. High-demand variants can extend to several months. BYD models popular in Nigeria have similar or shorter waits for standard variants.

Production lead times for export orders specifically have not been publicly documented. Treat the domestic wait time as a floor, not a ceiling.

Step 4: Ocean freight to Lagos (varies by origin)

This is where the numbers get specific based on where your car is coming from.

From China to Apapa or Tin Can Island Port: Ocean freight takes 30 to 45 days. March 2026 data shows sea freight running at 35 to 38 days on most routes. Red Sea disruptions in early 2026 are forcing rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, adding surcharges and extending schedules further. Per-vehicle shipping in a container runs $1,200 to $2,500. RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) is cheaper at $800 to $1,500 per vehicle, though your car sits exposed on deck rather than enclosed in a container.

From the UAE to Nigeria: Faster. Jebel Ali to Lagos takes 15 to 25 days. Port Khalid to Tin Can Island takes 20 to 30 days. Per-vehicle container shipping from Jebel Ali runs $1,000 to $1,500. RoRo from the UAE runs $1,200 to $1,800 per vehicle.

From the UK to Nigeria: Approximately 6 to 8 weeks from vessel departure, including Nigerian customs procedures. UK-to-Nigeria EV shipping is less documented, and the 6 to 8 week figure may include some clearance time alongside transit. Factor accordingly.

Step 5: Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (while the ship is at sea)

While your vehicle is in transit, your clearing agent will generate a PAAR through the Nigeria Customs Service system. This is your customs declaration, filed before the vessel arrives. Getting it submitted and approved before the ship docks is critical. If the PAAR is not ready when the vessel arrives, your cargo enters the queue and your free days at port start counting down immediately.

Your clearing agent handles this. Budget $500 to $1,200 for clearing agent fees.

Step 6: Port clearance at Apapa or Tin Can Island (14 to 30 days, realistically)

This is the step that surprises everyone. Average cargo dwell times at Nigerian ports run 18 to 21 days. That is not a bad week. That is the average. Efficient port systems globally run at roughly 4 days. Nigerian ports are operating among the highest dwell times in the world.

The Nigeria Customs Service launched a One-Stop-Shop initiative in September 2025, piloted at Onne, Apapa, and Tin Can ports, targeting clearance time reduced from 21 days to 48 hours. The government also targets cutting dwell times to under 7 days by 2026. Those targets are aspirational. Plan for current reality: 14 to 30 days.

While your vehicle is sitting in clearance, you are paying. Demurrage runs approximately $200 per day after the free period expires. In November 2024, haulage charges from Apapa Port to Lagos warehouses rose 100% in a single period due to congestion. Port handling fees add another $150 to $300 per vehicle.

Average total clearance cost in Nigeria in 2025 runs N2,500,000 to N3,000,000 (approximately $1,560 to $1,875 USD). That covers duties, handling, and agent fees but climbs fast with delays and demurrage.

Step 7: Vehicle registration with the FRSC (1 to 2 weeks)

Once your car clears customs and all duties are paid, you still cannot legally drive it. Registration with the Federal Road Safety Corps and your State Vehicle Licensing Authority takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Fees run N50,000 to N150,000 (approximately $60 to $180 USD).

One rule that catches people out: only vehicles manufactured in 2015 or later can be legally imported into Nigeria. Anything older than 15 years from its manufacturing date is prohibited. Verify the production year from the VIN before you order.

The full timeline at a glance

Phase	From China	From UAE	Notes
Form M approval	1 to 2 weeks	1 to 2 weeks	Must complete before shipping
SONCAP Product Certificate	2 to 4 weeks	2 to 4 weeks	Can run parallel to Form M
Order and production wait	1 to 6 weeks	Varies	Tesla Model 3: 1 to 3 weeks in China
Ocean freight	5 to 7 weeks	2 to 4 weeks	Red Sea rerouting adds time from China
Port clearance	3 to 5 weeks	3 to 5 weeks	18 to 21 days average; can extend
Vehicle registration	1 to 2 weeks	1 to 2 weeks	FRSC and state licensing
Total estimate	13 to 26 weeks	9 to 18 weeks	From Form M to registration complete

Every cost, line by line

Cost item	Amount	Notes
Container shipping (China to Lagos, per vehicle)	$1,200 to $2,500	RoRo is $800 to $1,500
Container shipping (UAE to Lagos, per vehicle)	$1,000 to $1,500	RoRo is $1,200 to $1,800
SONCAP Product Certificate	$1,000 to $3,000 annually	Plus lab testing: $1,500 to $8,000
SONCAP Shipment Certificate	$500 to $2,000 per shipment	Per individual shipment
Marine insurance	0.5% to 1.5% of vehicle value	Do not skip this
Port handling fees	$150 to $300	At Apapa or Tin Can Island
Clearing agent fees	$500 to $1,200	Licensed agent required
Total customs clearance cost	N2,500,000 to N3,000,000	Covers duties, handling, agent fees
Demurrage (port overstay penalty)	Approximately $200 per day	After free period expires
Vehicle registration (FRSC)	N50,000 to N150,000	FRSC and state licensing

On import duties: EVs currently attract 10 to 20% import duty depending on vehicle type, down from the previous 20% plus a 7% surcharge. EVs are exempt from VAT (7.5%) and the Import Adjustment Tax under the VAT Modification Order 2024. A 15% National Automotive Council levy still applies. The practical procedure for claiming the VAT exemption, however, remains largely undefined according to EV World Africa's analysis. Push your clearing agent on this, but budget conservatively. Do not count on the exemption reducing your bill until the procedure is confirmed at the point of clearance.

Pitfalls that will cost you time and money

• Starting SONCAP after the ship has sailed. The Product Certificate takes 2 to 4 weeks. If you start it after booking freight, your vehicle may arrive at Apapa before the certificate is ready, and clearance cannot begin. Start SONCAP the same week you open your Form M.
• Letting the PAAR slip. Your clearing agent needs all your documents to generate the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report before the vessel docks. If the PAAR is late, the ship arrives, free days start running, and you are paying $200 per day in demurrage while paperwork catches up.
• VIN valuation disputes at customs. The Vehicle Identification Number valuation system, introduced in February 2022, has been accused by stakeholders of inflating customs duties by up to 300%, using a database that does not reflect the depreciated value of used vehicles. If your vehicle is Tokunbo, this is a real risk. Work with an experienced agent who knows how to contest inflated valuations.
• HS code classification fights. The Nigeria Customs Tariff Book does not have explicit import duty rates for EVs under HS Code 8703.80. This means your vehicle can be misclassified at customs, triggering disputes that add days or weeks to clearance. An agent with EV import experience is worth the premium.
• No dedicated EV infrastructure at port. Nigerian ports currently lack specific regulations or dedicated infrastructure for handling EVs, particularly concerning lithium-ion battery packs. Battery inspections can be slower and more complicated than for petrol vehicles. Build extra buffer into your clearance estimate.
• Buying a vehicle older than 2015. Importing a vehicle manufactured before 2015 is prohibited. Verify the production year, not the model year, from the VIN before you transfer any money.
• Using an unlicensed importer. The proposed Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill carries penalties of up to N500,000,000 per shipment plus vehicle confiscation for unlicensed EV importers. Even if the bill has not yet passed, your importer's licensing status affects your legal exposure right now.

The regulations are changing. Stay close to this.

The Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill passed its second reading in the Nigerian Senate on November 5, 2025. If enacted, it will require foreign automakers to establish local assembly plants within 3 years and source 30% of components locally by 2030. Sam Faleye, CEO of SAGLEV, called the bill "at least 30 years overdue." Stanley Awelewa of Tim International Group is less optimistic: "A 30% local content requirement by 2030 may not be realistic given infrastructure constraints."

What this means for you as an importer is that the rules governing who can legally import EVs, and how duties are calculated, may shift as the bill moves through the legislature. Monitor this through 2026.

What to do this week

1. Call your bank and ask about Form M. Ask specifically which desk handles import declarations and what their current processing time is. Some banks are faster than others. Get the real number, not a general estimate.
2. Identify a SONCAP-certified body in your source country. For China, look for an accredited testing lab that handles Nigeria SONCAP applications. For the UAE, your freight forwarder should know one. Do not assume your seller handles this automatically.
3. Hire a clearing agent with EV experience. General clearing agents familiar with petrol vehicles do not know the EV-specific HS code ambiguity or battery inspection requirements. Ask them directly: how many EVs have you cleared at Apapa in the past 12 months?
4. Add 4 weeks of buffer to whatever timeline you are given. Port dwell times average 18 to 21 days. Demurrage runs $200 per day. The math on being unprepared is painful. Budget for delays as a baseline, not a worst case.
5. Confirm the vehicle's production year from the VIN before transferring any money. Not the model year. The production year. It must be 2015 or later.

If you want to skip the complexity entirely, ChargeWay handles sourcing, paperwork, and delivery coordination for EVs coming into Nigeria. The process is exactly as involved as this article describes. We have done it many times. You do not have to figure it out alone.

What These Cost on ChargeWay

You do not have to navigate the import process alone. ChargeWay sources quality tested used EVs direct from China at wholesale pricing. Every vehicle is properly inspected before it ships. Here is what you could pay right now:

Model	FOB Price	Est. Landed Price	Range
BYD Seagull	$10,000	~N18,500,000	305 km
Neta V	$12,000	~N22,000,000	380 km
BYD Dolphin	$16,000	~N28,000,000	427 km
MG MG4 Electric	$20,000	~N34,000,000	450 km

These are estimated wholesale prices for quality tested vehicles, shipped direct from China. No middleman markup, no dealer premium. Final prices depend on current exchange rates at time of order. Visit chargeway.africa/cars for live pricing and available stock.