How to Export a Car from Canada to Africa: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Vehicle export from Canada to Africa has grown into a multi-billion dollar trade lane, with cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and heavy equipment leaving the ports of Montreal and Halifax every week for Dakar, Cotonou, Lomé, Abidjan, Douala, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. The combination of a strong Canadian used car market, favourable exchange rates and high demand in African cities has created a real opportunity for diaspora families, car dealers, exporters and individual buyers.

If you are wondering how to ship a vehicle from Canada to Africa, this comprehensive guide breaks the process down into clear steps. We will walk through buying the right vehicle, preparing the export documents, choosing between container shipping and RoRo, paying duties at destination and avoiding the most common mistakes. By the end of this article you will know exactly what to expect when you book your first car shipping Canada to Africa with VELOX Logistics or any other Canadian vehicle exporter.

VELOX Logistics is a Montreal-based Canadian vehicle exporter that has shipped thousands of cars, SUVs, pickups and commercial vehicles to West, Central and East Africa. Our team handles the entire process for you, from collecting the vehicle anywhere in Canada to delivering the bill of lading and clearance documents at the destination port.

Step 1: Decide What Type of Vehicle to Export

Not every vehicle is a good candidate for export. African buyers generally favour Japanese and Korean brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia, along with reliable American models such as Ford Escape, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Caravan. Diesel engines, manual transmissions and fuel-efficient four-cylinder vehicles tend to resell faster in African markets where parts availability and fuel economy are critical.

Before you buy, research your destination country. Some African countries restrict the import of vehicles older than 5, 8 or 15 years. Others impose extra duties on left-hand drive or right-hand drive vehicles. Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa require right-hand drive, while most of West Africa accepts left-hand drive from Canada. A short conversation with a vehicle export specialist can save you thousands of dollars in lost duties.

You can source vehicles from Canadian dealerships, online platforms like AutoTrader and Kijiji, dealer-only auctions such as ADESA, Impact and Copart Canada, or directly from private sellers. Always confirm the seller has the original title or ownership certificate. Without a clean title transferred to your name or your company's name, the vehicle cannot leave Canada.

Once purchased, pay any provincial sales tax exemption paperwork if applicable, settle outstanding liens, and have the vehicle delivered to a secure consolidation warehouse like the VELOX Logistics yard in Montreal. We will inspect the vehicle, photograph it inside and out, drain or limit fuel to a quarter tank, disconnect the battery if required for container loading, and prepare the vehicle for export.

To export a car from Canada legally you need a Canadian Customs export declaration (Form B13A) filed at least 72 hours before the vehicle leaves the port. You also need the original ownership document, a notarized bill of sale, a commercial or proforma invoice with the FOB value, and a copy of your government-issued identification.

For shipments to the United States bound for Africa, additional AES (Automated Export System) filings may be required. VELOX Logistics files all CBSA and AES paperwork on your behalf and verifies the VIN with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles to make sure there is no recall or stolen-vehicle flag.

There are two main methods for shipping a vehicle from Canada to Africa: container shipping (FCL or consolidation) and Roll-On / Roll-Off (RoRo). Container shipping is more secure because the vehicle is sealed inside a steel box, and you can load spare parts, household goods or auto parts alongside the car. RoRo is cheaper for single vehicles because the car is simply driven on board the vessel and lashed down.

Choose container shipping when you are exporting a luxury vehicle, when you want to ship extra cargo with the car, or when your destination port has limited RoRo service. Choose RoRo when you have one or two cars, you want the lowest possible rate, and your destination is a major African port like Dakar, Cotonou, Lomé or Tema served by frequent RoRo vessels.

Once you book with VELOX Logistics, we reserve space on the next available sailing, generate the booking confirmation and issue the bill of lading. Typical transit times from Montreal: Dakar 18-22 days, Cotonou 22-28 days, Lomé 22-28 days, Abidjan 24-30 days, Douala 28-35 days, Matadi 28-38 days, Mombasa 32-42 days via transhipment.

You receive a tracking number that lets you follow the container or vessel in real time. We send proactive updates at departure, mid-voyage and arrival, so you never have to guess where your vehicle is.

When the vessel arrives, our clearing partner files the import declaration, pays the duties and VAT on your behalf, and arranges yard release. African vehicle import duties typically range from 20 percent to 45 percent of the CIF value depending on the country, engine size and vehicle age. Add VAT of 15-20 percent and small port fees on top.

Once cleared, the vehicle can be picked up at the port or trucked to an inland city like Niamey, Ouagadougou, Bamako, Nairobi or Kinshasa. VELOX Logistics offers door-to-door service to most African capitals through our cross-border trucking network.

The biggest mistakes new exporters make are: undervaluing the vehicle on the invoice (which triggers customs penalties), missing the 72-hour B13A filing window, buying a vehicle that exceeds the destination country age limit, and trying to ship without a properly transferred title. Each of these mistakes can delay your shipment by weeks and add thousands of dollars in storage and demurrage.

Working with an experienced Canadian vehicle exporter like VELOX Logistics eliminates these risks. We pre-screen every vehicle, verify documents, and confirm destination eligibility before the container is loaded or the car is gated into the port.

Choosing the right discharge port often matters as much as choosing the right vessel. The same vehicle routed through Cotonou rather than Lagos can save the importer several hundred dollars in clearance costs and one to two weeks of delays. Below is a practical overview of the ports VELOX Logistics uses most often for car shipping Canada to Africa, with the operational details that determine real-world transit times and total landed cost.

Port of Dakar (Senegal)

Dakar is the fastest direct call from Montreal, with most carriers averaging 18 to 22 days of sea transit. The container terminal is operated by DP World and handles both FCL and consolidation cargo efficiently. RoRo vessels discharge at the Mole 8 terminal and yard release typically occurs within 5 business days of arrival, provided documents are pre-cleared.

Port of Cotonou (Benin)

Cotonou is the preferred re-export hub for landlocked countries like Niger, Burkina Faso and northern Nigeria. Transit from Montreal averages 22 to 28 days. Cotonou offers competitive duties on vehicles destined for re-export under the TIE (Transit International Routier) regime, which is why many West African dealers consolidate their Canadian purchases through this port.

Port of Lomé (Togo)

Lomé has become the largest transhipment hub in West Africa thanks to the Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) operated by MSC. Vehicles arriving here are often re-loaded onto feeder vessels for Douala, Pointe-Noire, Matadi or Luanda. If your final destination is Central Africa, asking VELOX Logistics to route through Lomé can shave 4 to 7 days off the door-to-door time.

Port of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Abidjan is the busiest port on the West African coast and the gateway to Mali and Burkina Faso. Transit from Montreal is 24 to 30 days. The new Terminal 2 has significantly reduced yard congestion, but importers should still plan for 7 to 10 days of clearance because Ivorian customs perform a physical vehicle inspection on most consignments.

Port of Douala (Cameroon) and Matadi (DRC)

Douala serves Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic, with transit times of 28 to 35 days. Matadi serves the Democratic Republic of Congo with transit of 28 to 38 days. Both ports require careful documentation because mismatched VIN numbers or fuel-type errors on the bill of lading trigger automatic penalties under the SYDONIA customs system.

Ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam (East Africa)

East African ports are reached via transhipment in Algeciras, Tangier or Salalah, so transit time stretches to 32 to 42 days. Kenya and Tanzania both require right-hand drive vehicles for road registration, so left-hand drive imports must be declared as parts cargo or re-exported. VELOX Logistics confirms steering configuration before booking to prevent this very common and expensive mistake.

A common question we receive is why an apparently cheap RoRo quote ends up costing more than a higher container quote once the vehicle reaches the destination. The answer lies in the components of total landed cost. A transparent Canadian vehicle exporter will always break the price down so you can compare apples to apples.

Origin Charges in Canada

These include inland trucking from the seller to the consolidation yard, yard handling, vehicle wash, B13A export declaration filing, ISF where applicable, and terminal handling at the port of Montreal or Halifax. Expect CAD 350 to CAD 750 in origin charges for a single passenger vehicle.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the largest single component and depends on vessel space, fuel surcharges and the destination port. Rates for a sedan in a shared 40ft container range from CAD 1,500 to CAD 2,400. RoRo rates start at CAD 1,400 to West Africa and climb to CAD 2,800 to East Africa. VELOX Logistics locks rates per shipment so currency or fuel swings do not affect your final invoice.

Destination Charges and Duties

Destination charges include terminal handling, container demurrage if clearance is delayed, customs clearance fees, and inland trucking to the final city. Duties and VAT are calculated on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight) and typically range from 35 percent to 65 percent depending on the country and engine displacement. Diesel pickups attract higher duties in many West African countries while small hybrids enjoy preferential rates in Rwanda and Kenya.

Insurance and Optional Services

All-risk marine insurance costs 1.2 percent to 1.8 percent of the declared value and protects against partial loss, total loss and general average claims. Optional services such as inland trucking to Niamey, Bamako or Kinshasa, pre-export inspection certificates (BIVAC, COTECNA, SGS) and translation of documents are quoted separately.

Canadian export law is generally welcoming to legitimate vehicle exporters, but a handful of regulations trip up new shippers. Understanding these rules in advance protects you from CBSA penalties, vessel rollover and seized cargo.

CBSA B13A Export Declaration

Any vehicle worth more than CAD 2,000 leaving Canada requires a B13A declaration filed in the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) at least 72 hours before vessel loading. The declaration includes the VIN, HS code 8703.x, FOB value in Canadian dollars, port of exit and ultimate consignee. VELOX Logistics files all B13A submissions on behalf of clients and retains proof of acceptance for seven years per CBSA record-keeping rules.

Title, Lien Search and Stolen Vehicle Verification

Each vehicle must have a clean Canadian title transferred to the exporter of record. Provincial registries (SAAQ in Quebec, ServiceOntario in Ontario, ICBC in British Columbia) issue the ownership certificate. The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database is checked against the VIN to confirm the vehicle is not flagged as stolen. We pull both reports before any vehicle is gated into our yard.

Recall and Compliance Branding

Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles maintains a public recall lookup. Although recalls do not block export, undisclosed open recalls can void marine insurance and create liability problems if the vehicle later causes an accident in the destination country. We disclose all open recalls on every commercial invoice.

Sanctioned Destinations

Global Affairs Canada maintains a list of sanctioned countries and individuals. Vehicle exports to sanctioned destinations or to listed individuals are illegal regardless of the value. Our compliance team screens every consignee against the United Nations 1267 list, the OFAC SDN list and the Canadian Special Economic Measures Act lists before booking.

To illustrate how the numbers and timeline come together, here is a real recent shipment we handled for a Beninese-Canadian client, with names and pricing simplified for confidentiality.

The Vehicle

A 2017 Toyota RAV4 LE AWD with 142,000 km purchased at an ADESA auction in Boucherville, Quebec for CAD 14,200 plus auction fees. The buyer wanted the vehicle delivered to his cousin in Cotonou for personal use within six weeks.

Origin Workflow

Day 1: We collected the vehicle from the auction yard and delivered it to our Montreal consolidation facility. Day 2: We performed a 64-point pre-export inspection, photographed the vehicle, washed it and confirmed VIN match to the title. Day 3: We filed the B13A in CERS and issued the commercial invoice and packing list. Day 5: The vehicle was loaded into a shared 40ft container with three other RAV4s and one Honda Civic.

Ocean Transit

Day 7: The container was gated into the Port of Montreal. Day 9: Vessel departure on a direct West African service. Day 31: The vessel arrived at the Port of Cotonou. Day 33: Container discharged and devanned at the SMTC terminal.

Destination Clearance and Delivery

Day 34: Import declaration filed by our Cotonou clearing partner. Day 36: Duties of approximately CAD 5,800 paid (52 percent of CIF). Day 38: Yard release granted and vehicle picked up by the consignee. Total elapsed time from auction purchase to handover: 38 days. Total landed cost: CAD 22,750.

VELOX Logistics built its vehicle export service around a single idea: take the complexity off your shoulders so you can focus on selling, sourcing or driving. Whether you are an individual shipping one family car or a dealer moving 40 units a month, we handle every step under one accountable team in Montreal.

One-Stop Service

We combine vehicle inspection, consolidation, documentation, ocean booking, marine insurance and destination clearance into a single contract. Browse our [vehicle export service page](/services/vehicle-export) for full scope details, or explore our broader [ocean freight](/services/ocean-freight) and [customs brokerage](/services/customs-brokerage) services if your shipment includes other cargo.

Transparent Pricing

Use our [instant quote tool](/quote) to receive a written, all-inclusive estimate within one business day. The quote shows origin charges, ocean freight, insurance and destination duties separately, so there are no surprises.

African Network

Our partner network covers more than 30 African ports and inland destinations. Read our [Africa shipping resources](/resources) for country-specific guides on Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, the DRC, Kenya and Tanzania.

Dedicated Support

Every shipment is managed by a dedicated coordinator who shares their direct number and email. You will never wait on a generic call-centre queue. We typically respond to client messages within two hours during business days and within the same business day on weekends.

Beyond the headline price and transit time, several smaller decisions can make a measurable difference to your bottom line. The items below are drawn from years of post-shipment debriefs with clients.

Battery and Fuel Policy

Most carriers require the fuel tank to be no more than one quarter full and many require the battery to be disconnected during RoRo loading. We perform both tasks free of charge for clients using our consolidation yard.

Spare Keys and Manuals

Always ship a spare key inside a sealed envelope attached to the inside of the windshield, and include the original owner's manual. Replacement keys for modern vehicles can cost USD 400 to USD 900 in African capitals due to programming and import costs of the blank.

Pre-Inspection Certificates

Several African countries (Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, the DRC) require a pre-shipment inspection certificate from BIVAC, COTECNA or SGS before the vessel arrives. Failure to obtain the certificate triggers automatic penalties of 100 percent of duty. VELOX Logistics orders these certificates as a standard step when the destination requires them.

Marine Insurance Claim Process

If the vehicle is damaged in transit, document the damage with photos at the discharge port before signing the equipment interchange receipt. Notify VELOX Logistics within 72 hours so we can open a claim with the underwriter. Claims are typically settled within 60 days for documented partial losses.

Long-Term Storage and Forward Planning

If your African importer is not ready to receive the vehicle, free storage at most destination ports is limited to 7 to 14 days. After that, demurrage and storage charges accumulate quickly. Plan your sailing date so the vehicle arrives no more than a week before the consignee can clear it.

Request a Vehicle Export Quote from VELOX Logistics. Call 514-718-0282, email info@veloxlogistics.io or visit www.veloxlogistics.io to get a free, no-obligation quote within one business day. We are a trusted Canadian vehicle export company shipping cars, trucks and heavy equipment from Montreal to ports across West, Central and East Africa every week.