Car Shipping to Dakar, Senegal — RoRo & Container Service

Ship Cars ships vehicles from the UK to Dakar, Senegal, by RoRo from £824 for a standard car, with a transit time of approximately 28 days. Only left-hand drive vehicles may be permanently imported. As of October 2025, passenger cars up to 10 years old are eligible. A mandatory pre-shipment inspection is required before the vehicle leaves the UK, and a licensed Dakar clearing agent is essential for customs clearance.

Car Shipping to Dakar, Senegal | Get Efficient Vehicle Shipping Overseas.

Shipping your vehicle to Dakar, Senegal, connects you to the primary port and capital of this vibrant West African nation. As Senegal’s largest city and main economic hub, the Port of Dakar is the principal gateway for vehicle imports, serving a large diaspora, returning residents, and a growing international business community. Understanding Senegal’s specific import regulations is key to a smooth and compliant shipment.

Why Ship Your Car to Dakar?

Vehicles are shipped for a range of purposes, including commercial trade and resale of both classic and modern cars. UK expatriates and returning residents frequency ship their cars due to their sentimental importance. Tourist or individuals planning long-term holidays choose to ship their vehicles to explore their destination without the hassle of rental cars.

 What Shipping Methods Are Available to Dakar — RoRo or Container?

At Ship Cars Ltd, 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. 

Container Shipping to Dakar: Full Container Load (FCL) shipping provides sole-use, enclosed transport from the UK port to the Port of Dakar — the preferred method for classic, high-value, non-running, or modified vehicles. Container shipping to Senegal is available from ShipCars; contact us for FCL pricing to Dakar, which varies by vehicle dimensions, container type, and departure schedule.

What Your Car Shipping Service Includes

When you book your Dakar shipment with shipcars.co.uk, our comprehensive service covers:

• Origin port charges and handling fees in the UK.

• Ocean freight on reliable carrier lines directly to the Port of Dakar.

• Essential documentation, including the Bill of Lading.

• Expert support and tracking from collection to departure.

Please Note: Senegalese import duties, taxes, customs clearance fees, and all local port/agent charges are not included in our shipping quote. These are payable directly to the Senegalese Customs Directorate (Direction Générale des Douanes) and your appointed agent in Dakar.

Senegal Import Rules: Key Regulations

Compliance with Senegalese customs regulations is essential. Key rules include:

• Vehicle Age Limit: Senegal has an 8-year age limit from the date of first registration. Importing vehicles older than eight years is generally not permitted.

• Right-Hand Drive: Senegal drives on the right. Only left-hand drive vehicles are permitted for import.

• Import Duties & Taxes: Taxes are significant and calculated based on the vehicle’s CIF value (Cost, Insurance, Freight), engine size, and age. They include Customs Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), and other fiscal levies. The total tax burden is a major cost factor.

• Pre-Shipment Inspection: A mandatory pre-shipment inspection by an approved company (e.g., Bureau Veritas, Cotecna) is required before the vehicle leaves the UK. This verifies the vehicle’s details, condition, and value.

• Temporary Import: A carnet de passage may be used for temporary import by tourists, but the vehicle must be exported within the validity period.

Essential Import Documents Checklist

You or your appointed clearing agent in Dakar will require these original documents:

1. Original Bill of Lading.

2. Original Vehicle Title (V5C Logbook for UK vehicles).

3. Commercial Invoice stating the purchase price.

4. Certificate of Marine Insurance.

5. Copy of Your Passport.

6. Mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (from an approved agency).

7. Freight Certificate/Invoice.

8. Valid Senegalese Customs Broker License (held by your clearing agent).

Crucial Advice: Engaging a reputable, licensed customs clearing agent (transitaire agréé) in Dakar is highly recommended and often essential. They will manage the complex duty calculation, tax payment, and all port clearance procedures on your behalf.

Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI): A mandatory PSI by an approved inspection agency — currently COTECNA for Senegal — is required before the vehicle leaves the UK. The inspection verifies the vehicle’s condition, age, specifications, and declared value. ShipCars can advise on arranging the PSI before your vehicle is loaded at the UK departure port. [PLACEHOLDER: confirm COTECNA as the current approved PSI provider for UK → Senegal with ShipCars’ Dakar clearing agent.]

Cargo Tracking Note (BSC — Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison): All cargo shipped to Senegal requires a BSC (Cargo Tracking Note), which must be obtained before the vessel departs the UK. Your clearing agent or ShipCars will advise on obtaining the BSC as part of the pre-shipment documentation process.

Import Declaration (DPI): Imports into Senegal with a value exceeding 1 million FCFA (which all vehicle imports will exceed) require an Import Declaration (DPI) submitted via Senegal’s ORBUS platform. Your Dakar clearing agent will manage this process.

Cost & Transit Summary

Here is a clear overview for shipping a standard small car to Dakar.

Ready to Get a Precise Quote? Contact us today with your vehicle’s details and requirements for a straightforward, fixed-price quotation and personalised support for your shipment to Dakar.

We also ship vehicles to Freetown, across West Africa. View all our car shipping destinations or get a free quote to ship your vehicle from the UK to Dakar today.”

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping to Senegal

How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Senegal?

RoRo shipping from the UK to Dakar starts from £824 for a standard small car (UK port to Port of Dakar only). This covers ocean freight, UK port charges, and the Bill of Lading. Senegalese import duties, taxes, pre-shipment inspection fees, Cargo Tracking Note (BSC), agent fees, and port charges are payable separately in Dakar. Container shipping (FCL) for high-value or non-running vehicles is also available — contact ShipCars for pricing.

How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to Dakar?

Transit from the UK departure port to the Port of Dakar takes approximately 28 days, with vessels departing approximately three times per month. Port clearance in Dakar typically takes 5–10 business days after arrival. Including UK collection, pre-shipment inspection, and Senegalese customs clearance, allow 6–8 weeks total from booking to your vehicle being available at the Port of Dakar.

Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Senegal?

No — Senegal drives on the right and only permits the permanent import of left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles. All standard UK-registered cars are right-hand drive and cannot be permanently imported. This lane is primarily used by UK vehicle exporters and dealers shipping LHD commercial stock. If you own an LHD vehicle registered in the UK or are exporting LHD vehicles commercially, contact ShipCars to discuss your shipment.

What is the age limit for importing a car into Senegal?

As of October 2025, Senegal permits the import of used passenger cars up to 10 years old from the date of first registration. This was raised from 8 years by presidential decree signed on 24 October 2025. Trucks, HGVs, and collective transport vehicles may now be imported up to 15 years old (previously 10 years). Source: Décret présidentiel, Sénégal, 24 octobre 2025. Verify current limits with the Direction Générale des Douanes (douanes.sn) before shipping.

What import duties and taxes do I pay when shipping a car to Senegal?

Senegal applies the WAEMU Common External Tariff. For passenger vehicles, the principal taxes are: Customs Duty approximately 20% of CIF value, VAT (TVA) at 18% applied on the duty-inclusive value, ECOWAS Community Levy 0.5%, Statistical Fee 1%, Community Solidarity Levy 0.8%, COSEC Royalty 0.4%, and a Customs Modernisation Levy of 1.5%. All are calculated on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value. Verify current rates with the Direction Générale des Douanes (douanes.sn) or your appointed Dakar clearing agent before shipping.

What is a pre-shipment inspection and is it required for Senegal?

Yes — a mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) must be carried out by an approved agency (currently COTECNA for Senegal) before the vehicle leaves the UK. The inspection verifies the vehicle’s age, condition, specifications, and declared value. The PSI certificate must accompany the vehicle’s documentation through Senegalese customs at Dakar. ShipCars can advise on arranging the inspection before your vehicle is loaded at the UK port. [PLACEHOLDER: confirm COTECNA is the current approved PSI provider for UK → Senegal.]

What documents do I need to ship a car from the UK to Senegal?

Required documents include: original Bill of Lading, original V5C registration document (UK logbook), commercial invoice stating declared value, certificate of marine insurance, copy of your passport, Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) certificate, Cargo Tracking Note (BSC — Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison), and an Import Declaration (DPI) submitted via Senegal’s ORBUS platform. A licensed Dakar clearing agent (transitaire agréé) will manage the BSC, DPI, and customs clearance on your behalf.

Do I need a customs clearing agent in Dakar?

Yes — a licensed customs clearing agent (transitaire agréé) in Dakar is essential. They will manage Senegalese customs declarations, duty calculation and payment, Cargo Tracking Note (BSC) coordination, Import Declaration (DPI) submission on the ORBUS platform, and the release of your vehicle from the Port of Dakar. Port clearance typically takes 5–10 business days. ShipCars can advise on appointing a suitable agent for your shipment.

Can I temporarily import a car into Senegal without paying duty?

Yes. A carnet de passage en douane allows tourists and temporary visitors to import a vehicle into Senegal without paying import duties, provided the vehicle is re-exported before the carnet expires. In the UK, carnets are issued by the RAC (rac.co.uk). The carnet must be stamped by Senegalese customs on both entry and exit. Contact ShipCars if you are considering a temporary import arrangement.

What happens at Dakar port after my car arrives?

After the vessel docks at the Port of Dakar, your appointed clearing agent will file the customs declaration, manage duty assessment and payment, and coordinate port release. Customs clearance typically takes 5–10 business days, depending on documentation completeness and customs workload at the time of arrival. The agent will advise you when the vehicle is cleared and arrange onward delivery or collection.

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