A car that ships fine to Cotonou may be illegal to import to its neighbor Côte d'Ivoire. Age limits, emissions rules, and outright bans differ from country to country and change with every new government budget. The carrier will load anything you put in front of them at the US port. The destination customs is where the surprise lands. Always verify with us before bidding on or buying a vehicle for export.
The information below is a current best summary, not legal advice. Vehicle import rules change. Get a written confirmation from us at booking time before committing to a high-value purchase.
Country-by-country snapshot
Age limits, bans, and the operational notes that catch shippers off-guard. Rules move with each budget cycle — verify with us at booking time.
- NG
Nigeria
Used-vehicle age limit is 15 years from year of manufacture. RHD vehicles effectively banned for personal import. Newer cars carry higher absolute duty but lower percentage; older cars hit harder via the age coefficient.
- GH
Ghana
10 years from year of manufacture, with penalty duty on older vehicles — no outright vehicle bans. Diaspora 'settler' status can reduce duty on personal-use vehicles for returning Ghanaians.
- CI
Côte d'Ivoire
Used cars are subject to an age-based tax — older = sharply higher landed cost. Salvage and heavily damaged vehicles often refused at clearance. French-language documents preferred. RHD allowed but uncommon.
- SN
Senegal
8 years for passenger cars (rule has changed multiple times — verify current). Vehicles outside the window can be turned back or hit with heavy penalty duty. Strict on customs valuation — declared price often disputed.
- TG
- BJ
Togo, Benin
No strict age limit. Both function as regional re-export hubs — cars cleared here often move onward to Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Cotonou is the largest re-export market for landlocked West Africa.
- CM
Cameroon
Age limit generally 10-15 years depending on category. Bilingual (FR/EN) documentation. Customs has wide discretion on assessed value.
- SL
- LR
- GM
- GN
Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Guinea
Older cars accepted but face higher per-cc duty. Lower import volumes overall. Personal-effect and household-goods rules can be more relaxed for diaspora shippers.
- MR
- CV
Mauritania, Cape Verde
Francophone documentation required. Stricter age and emissions rules than the regional re-export hubs. Plan paperwork in French and budget for higher per-vehicle clearance friction.
Rules and rates change with every budget cycle. We confirm current rules at booking time before you commit on a high-value purchase.
Rules that apply across most of the region
VIN must match
Discrepancies between the BL VIN, the title VIN, and the physical VIN plate are the fastest way to a customs hold. We verify all three before sailing.
Salvage status disclosed
Salvage or rebuilt titles must be declared. Some countries refuse salvage vehicles outright; others apply a higher duty.
Personal-use vs commercial
Some countries limit how many vehicles per year a single individual can import duty-favored. Beyond that, commercial-import rates apply.
Restricted equipment
Air bags, catalytic converters, and emissions equipment must be intact in some markets. Stripped cars get challenged.
Diaspora "returning resident" rules
Several countries (Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire) have favorable duty regimes for returning citizens importing personal vehicles after a stint abroad. Documentation requirements are strict (proof of residency abroad, work permit copies, etc.) and the windows are narrow. We help with the paper trail - but you'll need to gather your own residency proof.
Confirm your shipment is OK to import.
Tell us the destination, the year-make-model, and any salvage or rebuild status. We'll confirm in writing before you commit.