The cost of shipping a car from Canada to Lomé varies based on several factors and cannot be quoted as a fixed, generic rate. Rather than posting a standard price that wouldn't reflect your actual situation, we prefer to explain in detail the elements that influence the final cost so you can request an accurate, personalized quote from VELOX LOGISTICS.
Why there is no single price
Every shipment is different: the vehicle type, the chosen container option, the time of year, available vessel space, and overall ocean freight market conditions all affect the final cost. Giving a generic figure risks misleading a customer whose situation does not match that quoted price. This is why VELOX LOGISTICS works exclusively with personalized quotes built around your vehicle, your timeline, and your specific needs.
It's worth understanding that ocean freight is not a standardized service like an everyday retail purchase. Shipping lines regularly adjust their rates based on demand, fuel costs, available capacity, and trade routes. A price quoted one month may no longer be valid the next. Working from an up-to-date quote is therefore the only responsible way to give you reliable information.
Factors that influence cost
Container type and size
A 20-foot container and a 40-foot container do not have the same chartering cost. The choice between the two depends on how many vehicles are being shipped, their size, and whether it's possible to combine several vehicles or personal items in the same container. A larger container sometimes allows for shared space with other goods, which can influence how costs are divided.
Shipping alone vs. consolidation
Shipping a vehicle alone in a full container is generally more expensive per unit than using consolidation, where the container's chartering cost is shared among several shippers each sending one or more vehicles to the same destination. Consolidation, however, requires some scheduling flexibility, since departure depends on the shared container filling up.
Vehicle size and weight
A compact sedan, an SUV, a pickup truck, or a utility vehicle do not take up the same space in a container, which directly affects how costs are distributed when several vehicles share the same space. Vehicle weight can also factor into certain logistics calculations.
Port and handling fees
Fees related to passing through the Port of Montreal, vehicle handling, loading into the container, and export documentation generally add to the cost of the ocean freight itself. These ancillary fees are an integral part of the overall quote and should not be overlooked when planning your budget.
Canadian-side formalities
Preparing the export declaration through CBSA's CERS system and presenting the vehicle's ownership documents are mandatory parts of the process, with a timeline generally of 72 hours before loading to confirm with CBSA based on your specific file. These administrative steps can represent preparation time to plan for, even though they don't necessarily add major direct fees to the shipping quote.
Duties and taxes upon arrival in Togo
Once the vehicle arrives in Lomé, customs duties and local taxes apply under current Togolese regulations. VELOX LOGISTICS does not set these amounts: they fall exclusively under the Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR) and your local customs broker, who should be consulted directly for an accurate calculation based on your vehicle and its declared value.
Seasonality and demand
As with many international shipping services, certain times of year see higher demand, which can affect container availability and, indirectly, the costs associated with your shipment. Planning your shipment a bit ahead of time often gives you more flexibility in choosing your options.
What VELOX LOGISTICS does not do
We are not a dealership, we do not sell vehicles, and we do not handle customs clearance in Togo. We also do not guarantee the success of a vehicle purchase made by a third party. We do not offer RoRo service: only container shipping, in 20-foot or 40-foot format, is available through VELOX LOGISTICS, which also affects the cost structure compared to other transport modes sometimes offered elsewhere.
How VELOX LOGISTICS helps
We review your vehicle, your preferred container option, your timeline, and your intended shipping period to provide a clear, detailed, no-surprise quote. Our goal is full transparency: you know exactly what is covered by our shipping quote and what falls under Togolese customs formalities, which remain outside our direct control. We can also point you toward the relevant official resources for customs clearance questions.
FAQ
Can VELOX LOGISTICS give me a fixed price over the phone?
We prefer to build a quote based on the real characteristics of your vehicle and shipment, to avoid any inaccurate estimate that wouldn't match your situation.
Is consolidation always cheaper than shipping alone?
It often allows the container's chartering cost to be shared, but this depends on slot availability, departure schedules, and the type of vehicle being shipped.
Are Togolese customs taxes included in the VELOX quote?
No, those amounts fall under the OTR and your local customs broker; we strongly recommend verifying them separately before finalizing your budget.
Why doesn't VELOX LOGISTICS offer RoRo, which is sometimes cheaper?
We chose container shipping for the safety and protection of the vehicle throughout the ocean voyage, even though it implies a different cost structure than RoRo.
Does the price depend on the make or model of the vehicle?
The price mainly depends on the vehicle's size, weight, and space occupied in the container rather than the brand itself, although bulkier models can influence how available space is allocated.
How can I get an accurate estimate?
By submitting a request through our booking page with your vehicle's details and your specific needs, so our team can respond with a tailored quote.
Conclusion
The cost of shipping a car from Canada to Lomé depends on multiple factors: container type, consolidation versus solo shipment, vehicle size, formalities on both sides of the Atlantic, and ocean freight market conditions at the time of shipment. For a reliable estimate genuinely tailored to your situation, request your personalized quote via /en/booking or check our FAQ, our vehicles page, and our /en/destinations/togo page.
Key facts — VELOX LOGISTICS
- Based in Montreal (Saint-Léonard, Quebec); every shipment departs from Montreal.
- Vehicles ship by 20- or 40-foot ocean container only. We do not offer RoRo shipping.
- VELOX LOGISTICS does not sell vehicles: we arrange transport for the vehicle you have bought.
- Prices and timelines are quoted for each shipment, based on the vehicle, the container and the next available sailing.
- Customs clearance in Togo is arranged by the recipient, with a licensed customs broker in Lomé.
VELOX LOGISTICS — 6135, boul. Couture, Saint-Léonard (Montréal), QC H1P 3G7 · WhatsApp 514-718-0282 · info@veloxlogistics.io
