Car Shipping to Lome, Togo — RoRo & Container Services
- Fast Information
- Cost starts from: £933
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
- Frequency of sailing: Twice a Week
ShipCars ships vehicles from the UK to Lomé, Togo, by RoRo from £933 for a standard car, with a transit time of approximately 22 days. The Port of Lomé is Togo’s primary vehicle import gateway and a major West African transhipment hub. Only left-hand drive vehicles may be imported permanently. Import taxes are payable on arrival, calculated on the vehicle’s CIF value.
Car Shipping to Lomé, Togo From UK
Shipping your vehicle to Lomé, Togo connects you to the deep-water port and capital of this West African nation. As Togo’s primary commercial gateway and a major transhipment hub for the region, the Port of Lomé offers efficient access for vehicle imports, serving both the local market and landlocked neighbouring countries. With Ship Cars Ltd, understanding the specific import process becomes easier, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free delivery experience.
Why Ship Your Car to Lomé?
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.
Your Car Shipping Options: RORO vs. Container
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.
Container Shipping to Lomé: Container shipping (Full Container Load/FCL) is available for high-value, classic, or non-running vehicles on the UK → Lomé lane. FCL provides enclosed, sole-use protection from UK port to the Port of Lomé. This is the recommended method for vehicles with a high declared value, where additional protection against cosmetic damage during transit is a priority. Contact ShipCars for FCL pricing to Lomé — rates vary by vehicle dimensions and departure schedule.
What Your Car Shipping Service Includes
When you book your Lomé 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 Lomé.
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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: Togolese 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 to the Togolese authorities upon the vehicle’s arrival.
Togo Import Rules: Key Regulations
Compliance with Togolese Customs (Douanes Togolaises) regulations is mandatory. Key rules include:
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Vehicle Age Limit: Togo has an 8-year age limit from the date of first registration. Importing vehicles older than eight years is generally not permitted for personal use.
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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 (VAT), and other fiscal levies. The total tax burden can be a significant percentage of the vehicle’s value.
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Temporary Import: For temporary stays, a carnet de passage may be used to avoid duties, but the vehicle must be exported within the validity period.
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Right-Hand Drive: Togo drives on the right. Only left-hand drive vehicles are allowed for import.
Important for UK customers: All UK-registered vehicles are right-hand drive (RHD). As Togo only permits the permanent import of left-hand drive vehicles, this route is primarily used by commercial vehicle exporters and dealers, rather than UK residents relocating their personal car. If you are a UK dealer or exporter shipping LHD stock, or if you have a LHD vehicle registered in the UK, ShipCars can ship it to Lomé. Contact us to discuss your specific vehicle.
Essential Import Documents Checklist
You or your appointed clearing agent in Lomé 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.
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Mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (from an approved agency).
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Freight Certificate/Invoice.
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Valid Togolese Customs Broker License (held by your appointed agent).
Essential Advice: Engaging a reputable, licensed customs clearing agent (transitaire agréé) in Lomé is absolutely critical. They will manage the complex customs process, duty payment, and coordinate the release of your vehicle from the port.
Cost & Transit Summary
Here is a transparent overview for shipping a standard small car to Lomé.
Shipping Cost (Example) |
From £933 for a small car via RORO (all-inclusive of our listed services). |
Insurance |
Marine Insurance is a strategic necessity for vehicles during transit. Covering your vehicles against Total Loss due to fire and water damage and cosmetic damages. |
Total Transit Time |
Approximately 22 days from UK departure port to arrival in Lomé. |
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 Togo. This includes all import duties, VAT, the pre-shipment inspection fee, and agent/port fees. |
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 Lomé.
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping to Togo
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Togo?
RoRo shipping from the UK to Lomé starts from £933 for a standard small car (UK port to the Port of Lomé only). Togolese import taxes, customs clearance fees, and pre-shipment inspection costs are payable separately on arrival. Container shipping (FCL) is available for high-value or non-running vehicles — contact Ship Cars for pricing. Get a free Personalised quote.
How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to Lomé?
Transit from the UK to the Port of Lomé takes approximately 22 days. Vessels depart twice per month. Including UK collection, pre-shipment inspection, and Togolese customs clearance on arrival, allow 4–6 weeks total from booking to your vehicle being cleared and available at the port.
Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Togo?
No — Togo drives on the right side of the road 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 into Togo. This route is therefore primarily used by UK vehicle exporters and dealers shipping LHD commercial stock. If you have an LHD vehicle or are exporting commercial vehicles, contact ShipCars.
What import taxes do I pay when shipping a car to Togo?
Import taxes in Togo for private, non-diplomat vehicle imports are approximately 53.5% of the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value, covering customs duty, VAT, and other fiscal levies. Rates for diplomats and qualifying international Organisation staff are significantly lower. [PLACEHOLDER: verify figure with clearing agent / OTR before publishing.] Always confirm current rates with the OTR (Office Togolais des Recettes — otr.tg) before shipping.
What documents do I need to ship a car from the UK to Togo?
You will need: original Bill of Lading, original V5C vehicle registration document (logbook), commercial invoice stating the vehicle’s declared value, certificate of marine insurance, copy of passport, mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) certificate from an approved agency, and freight invoice. A licensed customs clearing agent (transitaire agréé) in Lomé is essential and must hold a valid Togolese Customs Broker licence.
Can I temporarily import a car into Togo without paying duty?
Yes. A carnet de passage en douane allows you to temporarily import your vehicle into Togo without paying import duties, on the condition that 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 Togolese customs on both entry and exit. Contact ShipCars before booking if you are considering a temporary import arrangement.
Do I need a customs clearing agent in Lomé?
Yes — a licensed clearing agent (transitaire agréé) in Lomé is essential. They will manage Togolese customs procedures, duty payment, pre-shipment inspection coordination, and the release of your vehicle from the Port of Lomé. Attempting to clear a vehicle through Lomé port without a licensed agent is not recommended and will likely cause significant delays.
