A Timeline of Shipping a Car to Togo: From A to Z

I remember the first time I considered shipping a car to Togo. Honestly, I thought it would be straightforward: pick a shipping company, pay the fee, wait a few weeks, and then drive my car through the port gate in Lomé. Reality, as I soon discovered, was more layered—and a little chaotic. After helping friends and family navigate this process, I realized that having a timeline in mind can save you stress, money, and countless headaches.

So, if you’re thinking about sending a car to Togo, let me take you on a step-by-step journey—my personal “from A to Z” timeline of shipping a car. I’ll sprinkle in anecdotes, common pitfalls, and lessons I learned the hard way.

Week 1: Research and Choosing the Right Shipping Option

The first week usually involves a lot of staring at screens, comparing quotes, and trying to figure out the difference between RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) and container shipping.

I’ll be honest: I was tempted by RoRo because it was cheaper. But after speaking with a shipping agent, I learned that RoRo works best for standard vehicles that don’t carry extra items. If you plan to include household goods, spare parts, or even luggage, container shipping is almost certainly the better choice—even if it costs a few hundred dollars more.

During this stage, I also started making calls to shipping lines in the U.S. and checking reviews. One detail I ignored at first was port choice. Cars can be shipped from multiple U.S. ports—Baltimore, Newark, or Savannah on the East Coast, and Los Angeles or Houston on the West Coast. Your choice may affect cost and timing more than you realize. For instance, a car shipped from Baltimore may reach Lomé in about four weeks, while one from Los Angeles could take six to eight weeks.

Week 2: Securing Your Vehicle and Insurance

Once you’ve chosen the shipping method and port, it’s time to prepare the vehicle and insurance.

For me, this was a reality check. I thought insurance was optional, but even a minor scratch or dent can turn into a financial nightmare without coverage. I ended up choosing full transit insurance that covered both RoRo handling and port risks.

Preparing the car involves removing personal belongings, securing loose parts, and documenting its condition. Take lots of photos from multiple angles, including the VIN, license plates, and interior. In my first shipment, I skipped some interior photos and regretted it when minor interior scratches became a debate during claims.

Week 3: Booking and Pre-Shipment Inspection

By the third week, you should ideally have a shipping date confirmed and a pre-shipment inspection scheduled. Shipping lines often require a detailed condition report before loading the car. This report helps establish accountability if damage occurs during transit.

I remember sending a friend’s Toyota Corolla for inspection. The inspector noted a few tiny dents and scratches that weren’t initially visible. When the car arrived in Lomé, we referenced those notes to avoid any disputes. Without this report, we could have been liable for scratches that happened long before shipping.

Week 4: Transporting the Car to the Port

Getting the car to the port itself can be an adventure. Depending on your location in the U.S., it may involve a short drive or a multi-state transport. Some shipping companies offer pickup services, which can be convenient if you’re not near a major port.

I once tried arranging my own transport to save $200. The car ended up delayed at a holding yard for two days, which disrupted the shipping schedule. Lesson learned: sometimes paying extra for direct pickup is worth it.

Week 5: Loading and Departure

On the day of loading, the car is either driven onto the RoRo vessel or secured inside a container. This part is surprisingly nerve-wracking. Watching a $10,000 vehicle being maneuvered onto a ship isn’t something you want to do casually.

With RoRo, the car is rolled onto a deck and strapped down. Container shipping requires cranes, braces, and sometimes multiple crew members to secure the car. I had a friend whose Mercedes-Benz got minor scratches during container loading because the braces weren’t adjusted properly. It reminded me that even professional crews can make mistakes, which underscores the need for insurance and documentation.

Weeks 6–8: Transit Across the Ocean

The car is now en route to Lomé. This is where patience is your best friend. RoRo ships from the East Coast typically take four to five weeks, while West Coast departures can stretch to eight weeks, depending on routes and weather conditions. Container shipping may take slightly longer due to the extra handling involved.

During this time, you may want to track the shipment. Some companies now offer digital tracking apps, showing GPS location and estimated arrival. I checked obsessively during one shipment, refreshing the tracker every few hours. While it didn’t speed up the process, it gave peace of mind.

Week 9: Port Arrival and Clearance in Togo

When the car arrives at Lomé, it enters customs. This is often where the timeline becomes unpredictable. Even if the ship arrives on schedule, clearance can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on paperwork, customs workload, and whether all duties and taxes are correctly calculated.

Having a good clearing agent is crucial. I learned this the hard way when my first shipment got stuck for five extra days because a minor form wasn’t filled correctly. Experienced clearing agents know the nuances of Togolese customs, including duties, VAT, and inspection requirements.

Week 10: Vehicle Inspection and Release

Once customs clears the car, it undergoes inspection. Inspectors check the VIN, verify condition reports, and ensure that taxes and duties have been paid. I’ve noticed that minor discrepancies, like a mismatched license plate number, can delay release. Double-checking documents in advance saves frustration.

When the car is finally released, it’s either delivered to your address or you pick it up at the port. Personally, I prefer arranging delivery. Even a short drive from Lomé port to a nearby garage can be risky if the driver isn’t careful.

Week 11: Final Steps and Settling In

After the car reaches your driveway, there are a few last steps:

Inspect for damage: Compare the car to pre-shipment photos and the inspection report.

Handle minor repairs: Small scratches or cosmetic issues can be fixed locally.

Register the vehicle: In Togo, you’ll need to pay registration fees and get local license plates.

I remember feeling a huge sense of relief when my Honda Accord was finally parked safely in my driveway. It was a mix of excitement and exhaustion, but knowing the timeline ahead of time made it much less stressful.

Common Pitfalls Along the Timeline

Even with careful planning, there are a few things that often throw off the schedule:

Delays in pickup: Transporting the car to the U.S. port can take longer than expected.

Port congestion: Both the U.S. and Togolese ports can experience congestion, especially during peak shipping seasons.

Customs disputes: Minor paperwork errors can result in extended holding times.

Damage during transit: RoRo exposes vehicles to more risk than containers. Always document and insure.

By anticipating these challenges, you can build flexibility into your timeline. For example, budget extra weeks for clearance and always track shipments closely.

My Takeaways

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from shipping cars to Togo multiple times, it’s that preparation and awareness are more valuable than trying to cut costs blindly. A clear timeline, realistic expectations, and a good clearing agent make the process smoother.

Here’s a simplified version of the timeline I follow now:

Week 1: Research and select shipping method

Week 2: Prepare vehicle and secure insurance

Week 3: Pre-shipment inspection

Week 4: Transport to port

Week 5: Loading and departure

Weeks 6–8: Ocean transit

Week 9: Port arrival and customs clearance

Week 10: Inspection and vehicle release

Week 11: Final steps, minor repairs, and registration

Even if delays occur, having this timeline in mind helps you stay calm and organized.

Final Thoughts

Shipping a car to Togo may seem daunting at first, but following a structured timeline makes it manageable. From selecting the shipping method, preparing the car, and handling transit, to navigating customs and finally getting the car home, each step is predictable if you know what to expect.

I’ve shipped cars for friends, family, and myself, and one thing remains consistent: planning, documentation, and patience are your best allies. With the right preparation, even a journey that spans two continents can end with your car safely parked and ready for life in Togo.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

Related Post