Case Study: Shipping a Luxury Car from New York to Lomé

Shipping a luxury car internationally is rarely as simple as it looks online. When I first met Daniel, he had just purchased a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 in New York and was staring at the daunting task of getting it safely to Lomé, Togo. He was thrilled with his new acquisition, but the excitement quickly collided with the reality of logistics, paperwork, and expenses. Watching him navigate the process was an eye-opener, and I realized that a real-world example might help others understand what’s involved in shipping high-end vehicles overseas.

In this case study, I’ll walk you through each step Daniel faced—from choosing the right shipping method to handling customs in Togo—highlighting costs, pitfalls, and the small but critical decisions that make or break the experience.

Step 1: Choosing the Shipping Method

When it comes to luxury cars, the shipping method can make a huge difference. Daniel was offered two primary options: Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and container shipping.

RoRo seemed simpler on the surface. The car is driven onto a specialized vessel and secured for transit. It’s usually cheaper—Daniel’s initial quote was around $1,800. But there was a catch. RoRo doesn’t shield the vehicle from weather or potential scratches. For a $60,000 Mercedes, that risk was unacceptable.

Container shipping, by contrast, offered full protection. Daniel could ship the GLE in a 20-foot container, and the cost was around $3,200. A bit pricier, yes, but the peace of mind mattered more than the $1,400 difference. He also had the option to include spare tires, tools, and personal items, which would have been impossible on a RoRo vessel.

From the start, this decision illustrates the subtle trade-offs: cost versus security. For luxury vehicles, the extra investment is usually worth it, though it requires careful budgeting.

Step 2: Preparing the Vehicle

Preparing the GLE for export was more involved than Daniel expected. He needed to:

Document the car’s condition with photos and reports to avoid disputes over damages during transit.

Drain the fuel tank to reduce weight and comply with shipping regulations.

Disconnect the battery to prevent electrical issues during the voyage.

Check tire pressure and ensure the car was mechanically sound.

He almost skipped the battery step, thinking a luxury car’s systems could handle a few weeks in transit. Luckily, his shipping agent insisted. A quick battery discharge check avoided potential electrical headaches upon arrival.

I remember Daniel joking, “I didn’t buy this car to gamble with it halfway across the Atlantic,” which made me chuckle but also reinforced how even minor oversights can have consequences.

Step 3: Documentation and Paperwork

Shipping internationally is as much about paperwork as it is about logistics. Daniel had to gather:

Title and proof of ownership

Bill of sale from the dealer

Export declaration forms from U.S. Customs

Insurance declaration for transit coverage

Any certificates requested by Togo customs

Even with everything in hand, misfiling a single document can delay clearance for weeks. In fact, Daniel almost ran into trouble when a small discrepancy on the bill of sale caught the attention of U.S. Customs. Fortunately, his shipping agent caught it early and corrected the form within 24 hours. That small oversight could have easily added extra costs and delays.

This part of the journey emphasized that for luxury cars, professional assistance is almost mandatory. Handling it yourself is risky.

Step 4: Shipping Timeline

Daniel booked a 20-foot container from New York to Lomé. The estimated transit time was 28 days. In reality, it stretched closer to 35 days due to port congestion in New York and scheduling delays for container loading.

Here’s how it broke down:

Pre-loading preparation in New York: 3 days

Container booking and loading: 4 days

Ocean transit: 28–30 days

Unloading and inspection at Lomé port: 2–3 days

Even though it’s tempting to focus only on the ocean voyage, the pre- and post-transit steps are just as crucial. Waiting for the container to be loaded or cleared can introduce additional costs, especially if your vehicle sits at a warehouse longer than expected.

Step 5: Insurance Considerations

For a high-value vehicle like a GLE 450, insurance was non-negotiable. Daniel opted for full container insurance, which cost around $220 for the voyage. This coverage protected against damage, theft, and loss during transit.

Interestingly, the shipping company offered basic coverage for $120, but it excluded cosmetic damages—a risky proposition for a luxury car. Daniel wisely spent the extra to avoid potential headaches on arrival.

I remember him saying, “For this car, I’d rather spend a little extra than spend thousands fixing scratches that shouldn’t exist in the first place.” That mindset reflects the practical trade-offs you have to make when shipping high-end vehicles.

Step 6: Customs Clearance in Lomé

Once the container arrived in Lomé, the real test began. Togo’s customs required:

Proof of purchase

Original title and registration

Invoice for shipping and insurance

Payment of import duties and taxes

For vehicles, Togo generally imposes around 30% import duty on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value, plus 18% VAT on the sum of CIF plus duty. Daniel’s total landed cost ended up at roughly $25,000 when duties, VAT, port handling, and clearing agent fees were added to the original car price and shipping costs.

The customs inspection itself was meticulous. Inspectors checked the VIN, verified paperwork, and even performed a brief physical inspection of the car. Fortunately, container shipping kept the vehicle pristine, avoiding issues like scratches or water damage that can complicate clearance.

Step 7: Handling Unexpected Delays

Not everything went smoothly. A slight mismatch in the VIN between the bill of sale and the title caused a one-day delay in customs clearance. Additionally, the clearing agent requested an extra fee to expedite paperwork, which caught Daniel off guard.

These small surprises add up, and in shipping luxury vehicles, attention to detail can prevent them. I noticed Daniel keeping a daily log of calls, receipts, and shipping updates—an approach that likely saved him from larger headaches.

Step 8: Delivery and Final Costs

After clearance, the container was transported to Daniel’s home in Lomé. The final costs broke down approximately like this:

Vehicle purchase: $60,000

Container shipping: $3,200

Insurance: $220

Import duties: $7,500

VAT: $1,950

Port handling & clearing agent: $500

Local transport: $100

Total cost: roughly $73,470

Looking at the numbers, the initial $60,000 price tag of the car was only the beginning. Each step—from insurance to customs fees—added layers that can’t be ignored. Daniel remarked, “I knew it would cost more than the sticker price, but seeing the full tally was still a reality check.”

Lessons Learned

Shipping a luxury car internationally is a high-stakes, detail-oriented process. From Daniel’s case, some key takeaways emerge:

Professional help is critical. Shipping agents and clearing agents can prevent costly mistakes.

Insurance is non-negotiable. The small upfront cost avoids major surprises later.

Expect delays. Even with meticulous planning, schedules often slip.

Budget beyond the purchase price. Duties, VAT, port fees, and transport add significant cost.

Documentation matters. One typo or missing form can stall the entire process.

Final Thoughts

Watching Daniel navigate the process was enlightening. While the numbers might seem intimidating, careful planning, attention to detail, and realistic expectations made it manageable. For anyone shipping luxury cars to Togo—or anywhere overseas—the lesson is clear: the process is as much about preparation as it is about transport.

When the GLE 450 finally rolled out of the container onto Togo’s roads, Daniel’s relief was palpable. Months of paperwork, inspections, and small anxieties melted away the moment he turned the ignition. That final moment—seeing a prized vehicle arrive safely and legally—is why careful planning matters more than any shortcut or bargain shipping quote.

For first-time importers, this case study offers a roadmap. Luxury car shipping isn’t just about moving metal; it’s a careful orchestration of logistics, paperwork, and patience. And when it’s done right, the payoff is worth every detail and every dollar.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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