Car Shipping from the UK to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
- Fast Information
- Cost starts from: £1120
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
- Frequency of sailing: Monthly
Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from the UK to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea via RoRo and container services to the Port of Malabo, with approximately 28 days transit and two sailings per month. RoRo starts from £1,120. Equatorial Guinea drives on the right — only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be imported. An 8-year vehicle age limit applies, and a pre-shipment inspection in the UK is often required. We handle all UK export documentation.
Can I Ship a Right-Hand Drive UK Car to Equatorial Guinea?
Equatorial Guinea drives on the right side of the road. Only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be imported and registered. UK-registered vehicles are right-hand drive and cannot be registered in Equatorial Guinea. Confirm your vehicle is LHD before booking any shipment to Malabo.
Malabo (Bioko Island) or Bata (Mainland)?
Equatorial Guinea is split between Bioko Island — where the capital Malabo is located — and the mainland region of Río Muni, where Bata is the principal port. If your final destination is on the mainland (Bata, Mongomo, Ebebiyín), shipping to the Port of Bata may be more practical than Malabo, which would require an additional island-to-mainland transfer. Tell our team your final destination and we will advise on the best port of arrival.
Popular Topic: Avoiding Common Pitfalls In Car Shipping
What Are Car Shipping Options From UK To Malabo
At Ship Cars, we offer a range of vehicle shipping options, from Roll on Roll Off (RoRo) which is highly cost effective and Container Shipping that includes; Full Container Load (FCL) when shipping luxury, electric or hybrid cars.
What Your Shipping Service Includes
When you book your Malabo shipment with shipcars.co.uk, our comprehensive service covers:
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Origin port charges and handling fees in the UK.
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Ocean freight on reliable carrier lines to the Port of Malabo.
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Essential documentation, including the Bill of Lading.
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Professional support and tracking throughout the shipping process.
Please Note: Equatoguinean import duties, taxes, customs clearance fees, and all local port/agent charges are not included in our shipping quote. These are significant costs payable directly in Equatorial Guinea upon the vehicle’s arrival.
Indicative duty structure (CEMAC common external tariff):
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Customs Duty: typically 30% of CIF value for passenger vehicles
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VAT (IVA): 15% on CIF plus duty
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Community levies (CEMAC): additional small percentages
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Indicative only — verify with your Malabo clearing agent before importing.
You may also like to read in details about Car Shipping Methods.
What Are Equatorial Guinea’s Import Rules for Vehicles?
Compliance with Equatoguinean Customs (Dirección General de Aduanas) regulations is mandatory. Key rules include:
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Vehicle Age Limit: Equatorial Guinea has an 8-year age limit from the date of first registration. Importing vehicles older than eight years is generally not permitted.
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Right-Hand Drive: Equatorial Guinea drives on the right. Only left-hand drive vehicles are allowed for import.
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Import Duties & Taxes: Import taxes are substantial and are calculated based on the vehicle’s CIF value (Cost, Insurance, Freight), engine size, and age. They typically include Customs Duty, Value Added Tax (IVA/TVA), and other fiscal levies. The total tax burden can be a significant percentage of the vehicle’s value.
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Pre-Shipment Inspection: A mandatory pre-shipment inspection by an approved inspection company is often required. This verifies the vehicle’s details and value before it leaves the UK.
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Temporary Import: For temporary stays, a carnet de passage or temporary import permit may be used, but the vehicle must be exported within the validity period.
You may like to read about Essential UK Rules for Car Shipping.
What Documents Do I Need to Ship a Car from the UK to Malabo?
You or your appointed clearing agent in Malabo will require these original documents:
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Original Bill of Lading.
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Original Vehicle Registration Document (V5C Logbook for UK vehicles).
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Commercial Invoice stating the vehicle’s purchase price or declared value.
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Certificate of Marine Insurance.
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Copy of Your Passport and relevant visa/residency permit.
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A pre-shipment inspection by an approved agency (Bureau Veritas/BIVAC, Cotecna, or SGS) may be required before the vehicle leaves the UK, depending on current Equatoguinean customs requirements. Confirm with your Malabo clearing agent before booking, and allow 5–10 working days if an inspection is needed.
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Freight Certificate/Invoice.
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Valid Equatoguinean Customs Broker License (held by your appointed agent).
Essential Advice: Engaging a reputable, licensed customs clearing agent in Malabo is absolutely critical. They will manage the complex customs process, duty payment, and coordinate the release of your vehicle from the port. This is especially important given the country’s specific bureaucratic procedures.
Also read about Car Shipping Documents Requirements.
Cost & Transit Summary
Here is a transparent overview for shipping a standard small car to Malabo.
Shipping Cost (Example) |
From £1,120 for a small car via RORO (all-inclusive of our listed services). |
Insurance |
Total Loss cover: 1% of declared vehicle value. Comprehensive cover: 1.5% of vehicle value. Comprehensive cover recommended for all Central Africa shipments. |
Total Transit Time |
Approximately 28 days from UK departure port to arrival in Malabo. |
Sailing Frequency |
Regular sailings, with vessels departing 2 times per month. |
Collection Service |
Our flexible and secured collection services include Trade Plate-Insured driven service as well as transporter or recovery options. |
Local Taxes & Duties |
Payable in Equatorial Guinea. This includes all import duties, taxes, the pre-shipment inspection fee, and agent/port fees. |
FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Equatorial Guinea?
RORO shipping from the UK to Malabo starts from £1,120 for a standard small car. This covers UK port to Port of Malabo sea freight only. Equatoguinean customs duty (approximately 30%), VAT (15%), pre-shipment inspection fees, port handling, and clearing agent fees are all payable separately in Equatorial Guinea.
Q: How long does car shipping from the UK to Malabo take?
Transit from the UK to Malabo takes approximately 28 days, with two sailings per month. Including UK collection and Equatoguinean customs clearance, allow 6–8 weeks total from booking to your vehicle being available.
Q: Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Equatorial Guinea?
No. Equatorial Guinea drives on the right and only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be imported and registered. UK vehicles are right-hand drive and cannot be registered. Confirm your vehicle is LHD before booking.
Q: What is the vehicle age limit for Equatorial Guinea?
Equatorial Guinea enforces an 8-year age limit from the date of first registration. Vehicles older than eight years are generally not permitted for import. Verify eligibility before booking.
Q: Should I ship to Malabo or Bata?
Malabo is on Bioko Island; Bata is the main port on the mainland (Río Muni). If your final destination is on the mainland, shipping to Bata may be more practical than Malabo, which would require an additional island-to-mainland transfer. Tell our team your destination and we will advise.
Ship Your Car To Malabo With Ship Cars Ltd
Ship Cars Ltd provides shipping services with an expert team. Ready to Get a Precise Quote? Contact us today for further information or visit our sailing schedule and get an instant quote to schedule your car shipping with us.
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