Nigeria cuts import levy: 10% new, 5% used, zero on EV

For an importer working West Africa, what matters here is not the size of the cut but that it drags the whole price band down a notch. Levy on new cars falls from 20% to 10% and used from 15% to 5%, so the same budget buys a higher trim.

Nigeria Customs cut the import levy to 10% for new vehicles and 5% for used, with battery electric models at zero on this item. Note that levy is one line among several: base duty, VAT and port charges are outside this adjustment, so landed cost does not fall in the same proportion.

Do the math. A new car at 15,000 USD CIF with levy from 20% to 10% saves 1,500 USD per unit. A used car at 8,000 USD CIF moving from 15% to 5% saves 800 USD. Four units in a container means 6,000 USD saved on the new-car basis, enough to cover inland trucking and the clearing agent.

Three impacts for importers. First, selection: raise the share of new and battery electric units, and keep used batches to young cars with complete papers. Second, pricing: do not hand the whole saving to the buyer, keep 3% to 5% as a buffer for currency and port delay. Third, compliance: recheck age limits and declaration coding against the new wording, especially age proof on refurbished cars, which is screened harder than before.

Three steps. Ask the clearing agent for a full landed-cost sheet on the new rates and compare it line by line with the old basis. Build a separate quote for battery electric models, since zero levy is the easiest hook to sell. Send model, volume and port for a landed-cost check.