If you plan to bring in a tokunbo car this year, the cost picture has shifted. The Nigeria Customs Service has announced lower import duty on new and used vehicles, while a new “green tax” surcharge now applies to big-engine cars. Here is what the changes mean for the price of a tokunbo car, with the figures we could verify and the gaps you should confirm yourself.
What changed in 2026
According to reporting by BusinessDay citing the Nigeria Customs Service and a Ministry of Finance directive, import duty on new vehicles was cut from 20% to 10%, and on used (tokunbo) vehicles from 15% to 5%. The same report notes an earlier April 2026 change that reduced tariffs on fully built passenger vehicles from 70% to 40%.
Legit.ng reported that the revised levy regime took effect on 1 July 2026 as part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures, alongside the new green tax. Industry stakeholders warned that vehicle prices would not drop immediately.
The green tax surcharge explained
From 1 July 2026, a surcharge targets vehicles with large engines to cut carbon emissions:
- 2,000cc to 3,999cc: 2% surcharge
- 4,000cc and above: 4% surcharge
- Exempt: mass transit buses, electric vehicles and locally manufactured vehicles
Models cited as affected include some Toyota Land Cruiser, Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz GLE variants, full-size luxury SUVs and heavy-duty pickups. Cars with engines below 2,000cc fall under the threshold, while a 2.5L engine would sit in the 2% band, so check the engine capacity on your documents.
NCS comptroller Murtala Muazu said the surcharge needs a separate assessment process, with a simplified mechanism through the HS Code declaration platform, and that sensitisation of Customs zonal headquarters is ongoing. Expect some inconsistency in how it is applied at the ports in the early months.
The full layered cost of clearing a tokunbo car
Duty is only one line. BusinessDay’s description of the layered used-car tariff lists these components:
- Customs import duty on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight)
- A 7% surcharge computed on the duty
- A 15% National Automotive Council (NAC) levy
- A 0.5% ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme levy (for vehicles sourced within West Africa)
- 7.5% VAT
One caution: that report quotes a 15% pre-cut used-car duty in one place but lists a 20% Customs duty in the layered structure, and does not reconcile the two. Because of that, we are not publishing a fixed Naira “total clearing cost” here. Ask your clearing agent for an itemised assessment based on the current tariff schedule and your car’s CIF value, and compare it against the Customs published schedule.
Rules that still apply to tokunbo imports
- Age limit: per Legit.ng, Customs bars used vehicles more than 12 years from manufacture. In 2026 that makes 2014 the oldest model year that qualifies.
- Left-hand drive: vehicles for normal registration are generally required to be LHD; right-hand-drive cars face restrictions.
- Verification: confirm the manufacturing year against the documents and VIN before you pay for shipping.
Will tokunbo prices fall?
Not automatically. Passenger car imports hit about ₦1.18 trillion in the first half of 2026, up 145.6% from ₦479.26 billion a year earlier, according to NBS data analysed by Nairametrics. But Legit.ng points out that this measures value, not the number of cars, so it does not prove 145.6% more vehicles arrived. It also does not give a fresh tokunbo price list. Naira exchange rates, shipping, port charges and dealer margins still drive what you pay in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt.
How to budget for a tokunbo car now
- Get the CIF value from the shipping invoice.
- Ask your agent for a written Customs assessment including the green tax line if the engine is 2,000cc or more.
- Add port, terminal, shipping line and transport costs to your city.
- Add registration, plate numbers and insurance. See our guides on car insurance in Nigeria and car loan options if you are financing.
- Keep a buffer for exchange-rate moves between payment and clearing.
Worked example: how to structure your estimate
We are deliberately not inventing Naira totals, but you can build your own estimate in a spreadsheet. Start with the CIF value in dollars, convert at the exchange rate your agent uses on the day of assessment, then apply each layer in the order Customs lists them: duty on CIF, the 7% surcharge on that duty, the NAC levy, any ECOWAS levy, and VAT. If the engine is 2,000cc or larger, add the green tax line as assessed. Ask the agent to show each line separately so you can spot padding. Many buyers lose money not to official levies but to unexplained “processing” charges, so insist on receipts and compare quotes from at least two licensed agents.
Inspection and documentation checklist
- Confirm the VIN matches the bill of lading and purchase invoice.
- Check the model year against the 12-year rule before the car is shipped, not after it lands.
- Request a pre-shipment inspection report, especially to avoid flood-damaged or accidented cars.
- Verify the engine size on the title to know whether the green tax applies.
- Keep copies of all Customs duty receipts; you will need them for registration and resale.
What this means for different buyers
Everyday commuters
Small and mid-size tokunbo cars under 2,000cc get the benefit of lower duty without the green tax. Fuel economy also matters given petrol prices, so compare running costs, not just landing costs.
Ride-hailing and fleet operators
If you buy several vehicles, small percentage changes in duty add up. Ask your agent about bulk assessment and confirm whether any exemption applies to your category.
SUV and pickup buyers
Large-engine SUVs and pickups carry the 2% or 4% surcharge on top of the other levies. If you are choosing between two similar SUVs, the engine size may now tip the total cost.
Timing your purchase
Policy in this area has moved several times in 2026, and implementation at the ports lags announcements. Before you commit, ask your agent whether any new Customs circular has been issued, and check that the quoted rates reflect the 1 July 2026 regime. Do not rely on old price lists from social media dealers, as they may predate the changes.
Tokunbo vs buying a new car
New-vehicle duty is now 10% versus 5% for used, so the tax gap still favours tokunbo. But a new car comes with a warranty and no age-limit worries, while tokunbo brings inspection risk. If your budget is tight, a well-inspected, low-mileage tokunbo under 2,000cc remains the more economical route for most Nigerian buyers, with better spare-parts availability for popular Japanese models.
Key takeaways and FAQ
Is import duty on tokunbo cars lower in 2026? Per BusinessDay citing Customs, duty on used vehicles was cut from 15% to 5%.
What is the green tax? A 2% (2,000cc to 3,999cc) or 4% (4,000cc and above) surcharge from 1 July 2026; EVs and locally made vehicles are exempt.
Can I import a 2012 car? No, the 12-year rule makes 2014 the oldest model year in 2026.
Will dealers cut prices? Stakeholders warned savings will not pass through immediately.
Disclaimer: vehicle prices, import duties and specs change frequently in Nigeria. Always confirm current figures with the dealer, your clearing agent or the official Customs tariff before buying.
