Cotonou is West Africa's largest used-car re-export hub. Cars arriving at Port Autonome de Cotonou frequently move onward by truck to Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and northern Nigeria. The port handles RoRo vessels weekly and is the busiest single vehicle import port in the region by volume.
Cotonou lane snapshot
The re-export hub for landlocked West Africa.
Loading ports - US side
Baltimore
Frequent direct RoRo service to Cotonou.
Newark
Major auction-belt port. Direct service.
Brunswick / Jacksonville
Direct RoRo service. Best for SE pickups.
Galveston / Freeport TX
Texas-belt option, sometimes cheapest combined cost.
Why Cotonou matters for re-export
Many shippers buy cars in the US specifically for resale into Niger, Burkina Faso, and northern Nigeria. The customs and re-export logistics through Cotonou are mature: a vehicle clears Beninese customs (either fully imported or in transit), then moves onward by car-carrier or self-driven up the trans-West-African corridors.
If you are in this business, talk to us about volume RoRo bookings - we can secure dedicated lashings and prioritized loading for repeat shippers.
Documents you'll need
Original US title
Required by CBP for export.
Commercial invoice / bill of sale
In English or French - French is often easier at destination.
Photo ID for shipper and consignee
Driver's license or passport copies.
Consignee details
Full legal name, address in Benin, and tax ID (IFU).
Onward transit declaration
If the cargo is bound for Niger, Burkina Faso, or onward - declared at clearance for transit treatment.
Duty at Beninese customs
Benin's customs regime is import-friendly relative to Nigeria, which is why the re-export volume is so high. Cars that enter for local consumption pay full duty + VAT; cars in transit to neighboring countries clear under transit bonds.
Documentation in French is preferred. We can work with the consignee's broker or arrange clearance through our Cotonou network.
Transit times - port to port
| Loading port | Cotonou transit |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | 24-28 days |
| Newark | 25-30 days |
| Brunswick / Jacksonville | 24-28 days |
| Galveston / Freeport TX | 26-32 days |
Shipping to Cotonou?
Tell us the cargo, pickup ZIP, and onward destination if any. Quote in one business day.