By UsedToyotaCars.com | March 31, 2026
Nigeria's National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has confirmed it is submitting the long-awaited National Auto Industry Development Policy (NAIDP) to the National Assembly for passage into law by the second quarter of 2026. The Director-General of the NADDC, Otunba Joseph Osanipin, announced that public hearings will be scheduled as part of the legislative process and that the Federal Government is moving decisively to reshape how used vehicles — known locally as "tokunbo" cars — are imported into Nigeria.
Alongside the NAIDP push, the Federal Government has activated the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Recycling Regulation, launched in March 2025, which restricts importation of vehicles deemed unroadworthy in their country of origin. A key new measure under the 2026 reform package is mandatory pre-export certification for all imported used vehicles — a requirement that will add $250 to $300 per vehicle in inspection costs borne by exporters before any used car can be shipped to Nigeria.
For buyers of used Toyota Corolla cars for sale in Nigeria, used Toyota Camry, and other popular tokunbo models, the NAIDP introduces three direct consequences:
1. Mandatory pre-export certification. From 2026, every used vehicle — including all Toyota models — must be tested and certified in its country of origin before shipment to Nigeria. Vehicles that fail the inspection or carry falsified documentation will be barred from entry. The NADDC confirmed it is working with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on a Vehicle Evaluation and Certification Programme (VEG-CAP) to extend this quality assurance to used imports, which currently receive far less scrutiny than new vehicles or assembly kits entering the country.
2. Tighter age limits. Nigeria's current policy restricts importation of vehicles older than 12 years. The NAIDP is expected to maintain or tighten this limit further, reinforcing the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) VIN Valuation Policy that already penalises older vehicles with elevated assessed values. For Toyota buyers, this means the effective eligible import window keeps narrowing — only models from 2014 onward remain practical to import without punitive duty assessments. Sinocar Supply Chain Co., Ltd, which sources and supplies used Toyota vehicles to the Nigerian market, recommends buyers prioritise 2016 and newer units to stay well within compliance margins as regulations tighten.
3. Gradual phasing out of used vehicle imports. The NADDC Director-General explicitly stated the government intends to begin "gradually phasing out" used vehicle imports as local manufacturing grows. While no hard end-date has been legislated yet, this is the clearest signal yet that the tokunbo import window has a finite lifespan.
The combination of mandatory pre-export certification costs, tighter age limits, and elevated import duties through the NCS VIN Valuation system is already squeezing used Toyota supply into Nigeria. Dealers at Lagos Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port have reported that the revival of the 4% FOB levy in August 2025 pushed clearing costs up significantly — with a $10,000 CIF used Toyota Camry now attracting total import charges approaching 90% of its CIF value before VAT, according to industry data.
Once the NAIDP becomes law — targeted for Q2 2026 — the additional certification layer will further reduce the volume of compliant used vehicles entering the market, pushing prices upward for in-demand models. The used Toyota Highlander, Land Cruiser Prado, and RAV4 are expected to feel the supply squeeze most acutely, given their sustained high demand among Nigerian professionals and businesses.
Market data from Carlots.ng shows that a used Toyota Camry (Muscle/XV40) in Nigeria in 2026 is already priced between ₦7.8 million and ₦15.6 million for tokunbo units depending on year and condition — a dramatic increase from under ₦3 million just a few years ago, driven by the naira depreciation and escalating import duties. Further supply restrictions under the NAIDP will compound this trend.
For Nigerian buyers planning to purchase a used Toyota in 2026, the policy timeline creates a clear window of action. Vehicles currently in transit or ordered before the NAIDP passes into law will not retroactively face the new certification requirements. Buyers who place orders and clear vehicles through official NCS channels before Q2 2026 stand to avoid the additional $250–$300 per-vehicle certification surcharge and reduce exposure to any further age limit tightening.
Sinocar Supply Chain Co., Ltd advises Nigerian buyers to prioritise models from 2016 onward, ensure all documentation — including VIN data, pre-shipment health certificates, and Form M declarations — is accurately prepared, and work with cleared agents who operate through official Apapa or Tin Can Island Port channels to avoid the increased scrutiny on land border arrivals.
For fleet buyers — including ride-hailing operators on Bolt and Uber, corporate transport fleets, and government agencies — ordering in volume now through a single, documentation-complete supplier is the most effective way to lock in current pricing before the new certification regime raises landed costs across the board. Contact Sinocar Supply Chain Co., Ltd at bruce@alstonmotors.com to discuss fleet pricing and Q2 delivery scheduling.
The following models are currently available for sale and export to Nigeria with full documentation, pre-shipment inspection, and CIF Lagos pricing:
Used Toyota Corolla for sale in Nigeria – 2015–2022 models, LHD, petrol
Used Toyota Camry for sale in Nigeria – 2015–2022 models, LHD, V4 and V6
Used Toyota RAV4 for sale in Nigeria – 2016–2022, compact SUV, LHD
Used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado for sale in Nigeria – 2015–2021, LHD
All used Toyota cars for sale in Nigeria – full LHD inventory
Email bruce@alstonmotors.com for CIF Lagos pricing, available stock, and Q2 2026 delivery scheduling before the NAIDP certification requirements come into force.
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