A Nigerian auto dealer has shared a YouTube video detailing the high costs of importing electric vehicles into the country. He claims to have paid ₦28.8 million, equivalent to about $20,000, just to release a 2023 Tesla Model 3 from the port. The ordeal highlights challenges in Nigeria's EV import process amid unclear government policies.
Importing vehicles to Nigeria can be fraught with unexpected hurdles, as illustrated by a recent YouTube video from a local auto dealer. The importer describes clearing a container that arrived at the port around Christmas Eve, expecting a quick process but facing a month-long delay. The shipment included two Tesla Model 3 sedans—one from 2018 and another from 2023—along with a 2013 Toyota Venza and a 2014 Toyota Camry XLE.
The primary issue centered on the electric vehicles. Nigerian regulations require EVs to be shipped in sealed containers rather than roll-on/roll-off vessels, which increases costs from the outset. Customs assessed the 2023 Tesla Model 3 at ₦28.8 million for clearance fees alone, a figure that translates to roughly $20,000 to $21,000 at current exchange rates. The 2018 model incurred ₦11.2 million, about $8,000. "This container nearly finished me," the importer says in the video, his tone reflecting exhaustion after the prolonged ordeal.
Complicating matters further, the 2018 Tesla arrived with a completely drained battery, locking the key inside and preventing standard jump-start procedures. It had to be carefully dragged out on a flatbed to avoid damage. "You cannot afford to offload a Tesla the conventional way," the dealer explains, emphasizing the delicacy of handling EVs.
The importer points to a government policy intended to reduce costs for electric vehicles, claiming it should make them "as good as free" to import. However, he says customs officials are not implementing it without a direct letter from the presidency. This lack of transparency has left importers navigating fluctuating fees and bureaucratic delays.
For the non-EV vehicles, sales proceeded more smoothly. The Toyota Venza, despite a minor accident history, attracted offers of ₦18 million ($13,000), which the dealer rejected in favor of his ₦23 million ($16,600) valuation. The 2023 Tesla, with 16% battery remaining, drove off under its own power, while the Camry also cleared without major issues.
This experience underscores the stark economic barriers to EV adoption in Nigeria, where clearance costs can rival or exceed the vehicles' market value elsewhere. In contrast to smoother processes in markets like the US, where used 2023 Tesla Model 3s sell for $20,000 to $30,000, Nigerian importers face fees that distort global used-car economics.
