Cost Breakdown: How Much Does It Really Cost to Ship a Car to Togo?

Shipping a car from the United States—or Europe, for that matter—to Togo may sound straightforward at first glance. You pick a car, pay the shipping company, and wait for it to arrive at Lomé port. But anyone who’s tried it will tell you there’s a lot more to the story. Costs pile up quickly, and if you’re not prepared, what seems like a bargain on paper can turn into a financial headache.

I remember a friend, Kwame, who imported a 2016 Toyota Corolla from Houston. He thought he had everything covered with a $5,000 purchase price and roughly $1,500 for shipping. By the time customs fees, port handling, local transportation, and minor extras were accounted for, his budget had nearly doubled. Watching him scramble to cover the final bills was an eye-opener—and it got me thinking: anyone serious about shipping to Togo needs a clear cost breakdown before they commit.

Let’s unpack what you can realistically expect to pay and why.

1. Purchase Price of the Car

This might seem obvious, but it’s the first piece of the puzzle. The cost of the car itself varies depending on model, year, and condition. For example, a 2015 Toyota Corolla might go for $5,000–$7,000 in the U.S., while a higher-end SUV like a 2016 Lexus RX350 could fetch $15,000–$20,000.

Kwame’s Corolla was on the lower end of the scale, which made him feel confident about his budget. But it’s worth noting that buyers often forget to factor in extra auction or dealer fees, which can add $200–$500. That’s a small number in the grand scheme, but it matters when you’re trying to keep costs under control.

2. Shipping Fees

The next big chunk is shipping. There are generally two options: Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and container shipping.

RoRo is usually cheaper. You pay to have the car driven onto a ship and secured. For a standard sedan, this might be $1,200–$1,500 to Lomé from the East Coast of the U.S.

Container shipping is more expensive, especially if you’re sending a single vehicle. A 20-foot container typically costs $2,000–$3,000, and a 40-foot container—if shared among multiple cars—can range from $2,500–$4,000. The advantage, of course, is protection from weather and theft, and the ability to ship personal items along with your car.

When Kwame debated between RoRo and container, he initially thought RoRo was the obvious choice. But after learning that Lomé port sometimes has rough handling of vehicles on RoRo vessels, he decided to pay a bit more for container shipping. That extra cost ended up saving him from minor scratches and dents that are almost inevitable on RoRo shipments.

3. Insurance

Insurance is another essential, though often overlooked, expense. Shipping companies usually offer coverage, but the level and cost vary. For a car worth $5,000–$7,000, insurance may add $100–$250 depending on the carrier and the declared value.

Here’s where nuance matters: some shippers quote insurance as optional, but skipping it is risky. Kwame initially hesitated, thinking the chance of damage was low. He later realized that even minor dents or scratches during loading or unloading could end up costing more than the insurance itself.

4. Customs Duties and Taxes

This is where budgets tend to balloon unexpectedly. Togo, like many West African countries, imposes import duties based on the car’s CIF value—Cost, Insurance, and Freight. The standard import duty for used vehicles is around 20–30% of the CIF value, though rates can vary depending on engine size and age.

For Kwame’s Corolla, the customs duty came in at roughly $1,200. SUVs with larger engines could easily cross $2,000–$3,000 in duties. Then there’s the Value Added Tax (VAT) of 18% on the CIF plus duty. That added another $600 or so to his final bill.

If you’re not careful, miscalculating duties and VAT can ruin your budget. Some importers fail to anticipate that customs might also charge a small administrative fee, which can range from $50 to $100. It seems minor, but every little extra adds up.

5. Port Handling and Clearance Fees

Even after customs duties are paid, your car doesn’t magically appear at your driveway. Port handling charges, terminal storage, and clearance fees are additional costs to factor in.

For Lomé port, handling fees for a standard sedan might be around $200–$400. Clearing agents typically charge between $150–$300 for their services. I’ve seen friends underestimate these fees and end up waiting in line at the port, paperwork in hand, with no funds left to pay the agent, which only delays release further.

Kwame’s experience reinforced this. His clearing agent insisted that full fees be settled before the car could leave the port, which meant he had to scramble to cover both the agent and port storage costs simultaneously.

6. Local Transportation

Once the car is cleared, you still need to get it from Lomé port to your home or business. Depending on distance, local trucking could cost anywhere from $50 to $200 for a standard vehicle.

It might seem small compared to shipping or duties, but I’ve seen buyers forget this entirely, only to discover the local haul cost is higher than expected because their preferred transporter demanded extra for late afternoon deliveries or rough road conditions.

7. Extra Costs That Sneak Up

Even when you plan for purchase, shipping, insurance, customs, and clearance, there are usually additional minor expenses:

Port demurrage fees if the car sits too long before clearance

Documentation corrections if invoices or titles have errors

Broker tips or local agent “facilitation fees”—unofficial but sometimes expected

Minor repairs or servicing if you want the car road-ready immediately

For example, Kwame had to pay a small mechanic $50 to adjust the mirrors and tires after transport. It wasn’t huge, but it serves as a reminder that real-world expenses rarely match initial quotes exactly.

Realistic Total Costs

Let’s put numbers together for a typical 2016 Toyota Corolla imported from the U.S. to Togo via container:

Car purchase: $5,500

Container shipping: $2,500

Insurance: $150

Customs duties: $1,200

VAT: $600

Port handling & clearance: $350

Local transport & minor fees: $150

Estimated total: $10,450

For a larger SUV, you could easily see totals in the $15,000–$18,000 range. That’s why budgeting conservatively—adding 10–15% as a buffer—is often smart.

Tips for Managing Costs

Get quotes from multiple shipping companies. Prices can vary dramatically for the same route.

Use a reliable clearing agent. It’s better to pay a bit more for experience than get stuck in delays.

Understand Togo’s import duty rules. Engine size, age, and vehicle type all affect costs.

Factor in extra expenses. Small fees add up; don’t leave them out of your budget.

Consider container shipping for high-value vehicles. The added protection may prevent costly damage.

Personal Reflection

Shipping Kwame’s Corolla was an eye-opener for me. We thought we had a clear budget and understood all costs, but real-life logistics, paperwork delays, and minor fees extended our expenses. By the end, though, he had a reliable car and learned to appreciate the process—not just the destination.

For anyone planning to import to Togo, the main lesson is clear: anticipate more than the headline costs, plan a buffer, and work with trustworthy partners. The price tag might look intimidating at first, but with careful planning, you can avoid surprises and actually enjoy the experience of bringing a car home.

Final Thoughts

Shipping a car to Togo isn’t just about paying for transport—it’s about navigating a chain of interlinked costs. From purchase price to shipping, customs, insurance, port fees, and local transport, each element adds to the total. Ignoring even one can throw off your budget.

The good news? With careful planning, research, and a realistic buffer, the process is manageable. And when your car finally rolls off the truck at Lomé port, every dollar spent feels worth it.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

Related Post