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Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou - Car Talk (3) - Nairaland

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Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 9:55pm On Apr 16, 2013
Below are another set of certificates and payment slips for a camry 99 model and I challenge anyone who doubts them to please contact me,customs command is just a few meters to my office,they can check the authenticity.

Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 10:11pm On Apr 16, 2013
Also there are pictures of other customers we've taken to cotonou.

Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 10:43pm On Apr 16, 2013
ikakahu: where are those cotonou-nigeria car dealers in NL.If what we have said is a lie,they should come out and counter it.Money made from LIE and DECEIT can only be used to patronize love peddler,settle police case,pay hospital bills(regularly),drinking to stupor and other unnecessary things.
If other agents can't defend their livelihood,I'm ready to defend mine.

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Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 10:48pm On Apr 16, 2013
miqos02: i called a custom officer to tell me what i need to do if i bring in a vehicle from cotonou. he said i should not try it that its very risky. pls whats ur experience
Please tell us which command does the officer serve and his reasons for telling u not to bring a car into Nigeria through cotonou.
Then ask him about the modernization project and point of entries.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 11:09pm On Apr 16, 2013
aboabdallah:

FISRT PERSON HERE IN A LONG TIME THAT KNOWS WHAT HE IS SPEAKING ABOUT. I AM ARAB FROM LIBANON I AM OWNER OF ONE PARC.
LIKE HE TOLD HERE 99% OF THE OWNERS HERE ARE ARABS. HERE IS NOT 1 PARC OWNED BY AN NIGERIAN. THE AGENTS FROM NIGERIA ARE THE SCAMMERS NOT COTONOU . MY ADVISE IS TO GO TO COTONOU BY YOURSELF BUY YOUR CAR AND DRIVE HOME ITS TO EASY.
ANY CAR DEALER IN COTONOU CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL THE PAPERWORKS. WHY PAY AN AGENT MONEY FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING? AND ALSO GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO SCAM YOU ? THE PROBLEMS YOU ALL GET IN NIGERIA IS BECUSE OF THE AGENT TAKING YOUR MONEY FOR PAY CUSTOM DUTIES , BUT INSTEAD I SMUGGLE THE CAR INSIDE NIGERIA AND PUT THE MONEY IN HIS POCKET. HOW MANY YEARS WILL IT TAKE BEFORE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS
Salut, merci pour avoir le dos, je suis un agent qui aident les gens achète des voitures de cotonou et mon père à partir du port novo.Will ravis d'avoir vos coordonnées, si vous avez location de voiture à votre parc,Mais attention, je vais seulement acheter des voitures moins chères que ce qui est vendu au Nigeria et bons, des voitures de qualité, s'il vous plaît envoyez vos coordonnées à ma boîte afin que je puisse vous appeler, deddoyinn@yahoo.co.uk
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by tsharp(m): 8:01am On Apr 17, 2013
[quote author=saintjoel]
Also,you don't need to pay duty to authorities in cotonu because the importer has already paid at the port before bringing the car into the parks,so apart from the parks fees etc,u don't pay duty.

@Saintjoel

Seriously? Everybody believes they pay duties to the cotonou customs. In fact, for the car I bought which came 2 weeks late, I was made to understand it had even entered demurage (pardon the spelling. don't know the word) and they demanded extra 100,000 cfa added to the 510,000 I paid to the cotonou agent. Some kind of investigation involving the cotonou customs was done (stories I was told sha). So please say it again, you don't need to pay duties at cotonou?
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by tsharp(m): 8:20am On Apr 17, 2013
And how do you deal with the Nigerian customs? Can someone who is not an agent walk into the customs office himself and pay the duties?
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by abdulkadir(m): 12:02pm On Apr 17, 2013
tsharp: And how do you deal with the Nigerian customs? Can someone who is not an agent walk into the customs office himself and pay the duties?
ofcourse even if your car came in through tincan; you hav a specific form, cant remember what its called. At the border Points its easier you make your declearation, depending on how busy the post is u drive your car out in one or two days.
i beg to differ with saintjoel slightly that no nigerian has car in cotonou yes maybe nigerians dont own parks but in my location a lot of people bring in cars through cotonou instead of lagos cos clearing at land borders is cheaper nd if they decide to "fly", they do a "clean fly".
i've said it before on this thread that in my location getting a car from cotonou is as easy as goin to your local market save for the stress of the journey. All the stories i hear here is quite strange.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel1: 1:19pm On Apr 17, 2013
abdulkadir:
ofcourse even if your car came in through tincan; you hav a specific form, cant remember what its called. At the border Points its easier you make your declearation, depending on how busy the post is u drive your car out in one or two days.
i beg to differ with saintjoel slightly that no nigerian has car in cotonou yes maybe nigerians dont own parks but in my location a lot of people bring in cars through cotonou instead of lagos cos clearing at land borders is cheaper nd if they decide to "fly", they do a "clean fly".
i've said it before on this thread that in my location getting a car from cotonou is as easy as goin to your local market save for the stress of the journey. All the stories i hear here is quite strange.

Sir,please don't misquote me,I also live and grew up in idiroko,a border town in idiroko.
Yes,around border towns,you can see Nigerian who have cars they want to sell and if they don't have custom duty,all you need to do is approach a custom liscenced agent and you'll get your duty done,then you can drive off,they're also good cars but the difference is that they were brought in from Cotonou but I'm saying there's more risk in buying cars not advertised in parks,we've seen situations where people come into Cotonou and buy cars from roadsides around port novo and even in Cotonou,when these cars are brought into Nigeria,they discover they're stolen cars.If and if you want to buy a car from cotonou,make sure you go with a credible agent and go into the parks where you'll be able to see the importers.

I don't know why I've been unable to post with my original username (saintjoel) since last night,so I created a second account,hope Nairaland will be able to free me soon.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel1: 1:22pm On Apr 17, 2013
tsharp: And how do you deal with the Nigerian customs? Can someone who is not an agent walk into the customs office himself and pay the duties?

It's always better and faster to go through a COSTUM LICENSED AGENT,note the emphasis on custom licensed agent,they are those given licenses to operate at border posts/entry points.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel1: 1:37pm On Apr 17, 2013
[quote author=tsharp][/quote]
The only custom you've to pay is at the Nigerian end,it's your agent that's left with the responsibility of removing from the parks,placing it under escort services to the Nigerian border,where it's moved into the designated parking space for cars coming into Nigeria,pays into the designated bank account and obtains your duty certificate.
There's nothing like demurage charge in the parks,I may not have heard about it but I've seen situations where customers deposit for months and come back to pay,so your agent scammed you into paying demurage which went into his pocket.
Right now,I have an highlander in the parks which a client deposited for since January,it hasn't been tampered with and no one is asking for demurage,so where did they issue of demurage come up?.

1 Like

Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by pautex: 3:55pm On Apr 18, 2013
babiifaace: HI all,i have been observing this trend for a long time and couldn't say anything becos i didn't know about the subject matter. Both i just came back from cotonou on friday. I went there bought a car and paid all custom duties and everything took 5days plus the public holiday on Tuesday.I must tell u, if u want a good car that u are sure of and ur budget is small, go to cotonou urself. The car i bought,these People called agents or dealers in NairaLand will tell u 1.3mill to get it to Lagos and so on,but i bought, paid all custom duties,hotel,feeding and transport for far less than 1million.So i final conclusion is cotonou cars are cheaper and better,i drove down to Abuja without even adding water to the car,no problem what so every.
But i must say something i observed, our Nigerian guys,go there to buy accidented cars,damaged cars and repair them in cotonou before bring them to Nigeria without paying the required Nigerian custom duty. They buy cars that there speedometer has gone over 200,000 km and reduce them. So i suggest u go urself, pay,clear and followup.

please, kindly inbox me ur details at---ubongj03@yahoo.com. u spoke my mind.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 9:56pm On Apr 18, 2013
babiifaace: HI all,i have been observing this trend for a long time and couldn't say anything becos i didn't know about the subject matter. Both i just came back from cotonou on friday. I went there bought a car and paid all custom duties and everything took 5days plus the public holiday on Tuesday.I must tell u, if u want a good car that u are sure of and ur budget is small, go to cotonou urself. The car i bought,these People called agents or dealers in NairaLand will tell u 1.3mill to get it to Lagos and so on,but i bought, paid all custom duties,hotel,feeding and transport for far less than 1million.So i final conclusion is cotonou cars are cheaper and better,i drove down to Abuja without even adding water to the car,no problem what so every.
But i must say something i observed, our Nigerian guys,go there to buy accidented cars,damaged cars and repair them in cotonou before bring them to Nigeria without paying the required Nigerian custom duty. They buy cars that there speedometer has gone over 200,000 km and reduce them. So i suggest u go urself, pay,clear and followup.

Sir,congrats for getting a good deal in cotonou and that's why as an agent,I always tell my clients to come into cotonou themselves so they can actually see what they want to buy but I may have to argue with you a little.
1.You could still have gotten a better deal if you went with an agent who knows the terrain and I'll tell you why,if that was your first time of going into Cotonou,you might have had issues with French and Egun language,unlike those of us who are natives and you can't tell me you just scaled through the border without greasing some palms.
2.How did you locate the parks if not with the help of an agent or a native,cos if you're a first timer,definitely you will have issues getting to the parks.
3.Immediately you got to those parks,the so called Nigerians agents must have helped you negotiate a deal cos 1.when you got your car,how did you place it under escort to the border,2.Who did you negotiate with cos the DEMACHES like we call them must have given the white man a sign to show you're a JJC and to surprise if you go back to cotonou,you'll still see the same model for a cheaper price compared to what you actually think is cheap.
3.If not without the help of an agent or you're an agent,how did you locate the custom's designated parks for cars coming into Nigeria from cotonou,how did you declare the car and how much duty did you pay,as much I like your comments,there are so many questions begging for answers.
I'm an agent,only Rep.of Benin citizens or people who have ties with them are allowed to deal and escort cars to the border in Cotonou and also we have a custom license to clear cars,also as an agent I don't charge on cars/jeeps,that's why I always tell my clients to show up and deal directly with the importer,my part is to get you into the parks with ease,after payment get the car out and move to the border,then pay duty.From the border,you pay me my transaction fees which could be any amount from 10k and if you want me to drive for you,that's another deal apart from the original.
So if any agent is charging you a specific sum of money to bring a car to lagos and doesn't want you to go into direct negotiations with the importers,I'll suggest you rather go with him,negotiate with the direct importer,let him place under escort and clear it for you,from the border you can drive off yourself.Many people fall victims of 419 just because they believe they can walk into Cotonou and just get a car without an agent.
Below is an example of an escort tag.

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Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by miqos02(m): 3:25pm On Apr 19, 2013
saintjoel:
Please tell us which command does the officer serve and his reasons for telling u not to bring a car into Nigeria through cotonou.
Then ask him about the modernization project and point of entries.
a high ranking officer
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 5:31pm On Apr 19, 2013
miqos02:
a high ranking officer
We have read that he is an high rank officer but do the needful by telling us where he serves or his rank and what did you actually ask him,did you tell him you'll be paying duty for the car or not.Please stop misleading people
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by Godson201333(m): 9:07pm On Apr 19, 2013
The customer officer is very correct,If you bring in cars from cotonou that does not guarantee that your paper works are authentic,You can always drive your car in city where you leave,but when you travel inter state and you being caught by the customs who can use their computer to identify documents its then that you will know that its serious,Your car will be seized.All those cotonou dealer in naija will never tell you the truth,Have you ever seen the way they smuggle those cars down 9ja,Tincan cars are the best and thats why they are expensive at times!
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 9:30pm On Apr 19, 2013
Godson201333: The customer officer is very correct,If you bring in cars from cotonou that does not guarantee that your paper works are authentic,You can always drive your car in city where you leave,but when you travel inter state and you being caught by the customs who can use their computer to identify documents its then that you will know that its serious,Your car will be seized.All those cotonou dealer in naija will never tell you the truth,Have you ever seen the way they smuggle those cars down 9ja,Tincan cars are the best and thats why they are expensive at times!
It is because you've not gone to cotonou with a credible dealer,how customers just leave their cars at the border and go home to wait for their cars baffle me,you worked hard for your money and must make sure no one scams you.If you buy a car from cotonou,lodge in hotels around the border and make sure you collect a duty certificate before you leave.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by abdulkadir(m): 8:39am On Apr 20, 2013
@Godson201333; i've got a few questions for you and yourcustoms officer
1. Are you allowed by law to bring in goods to nigeria through land boarders?
2. Why do we have customs formation in our land boarders?
3. Are those customs formation fake since by your post they issue fake customs/ clearing documents.
i think what you are refering to are cars smuggled into the country with fake customs documents.
they are two different scenarios please dont mix them up.

my brother cars and goods are also smuggled in through tincan; just pray you dont fall into the hands of the wrong clearing agent.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by abdulkadir(m): 8:44am On Apr 20, 2013
saintjoel:
It is because you've not gone to cotonou with a credible dealer,how customers just leave their cars at the border and go home to wait for their cars baffle me,you worked hard for your money and must make sure no one scams you.If you buy a car from cotonou,lodge in hotels around the border and make sure you collect a duty certificate before you leave.

do you now get certificates?, because uptill a very long period into last year there were no certificates. You were issued all other documents but no certificate.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by abdulkadir(m): 8:58am On Apr 20, 2013
miqos02:
a high ranking officer

its either you gave him a wrong impression of how you want to get your car in through the land boarders or you didnt understand what he meant.

inportation of certain goods like cars is legal through nigerian land boarders; you only stand a higher risk of falling into the hands of agents who will rather smuggle than doing the needful.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 11:56pm On Apr 20, 2013
abdulkadir:

do you now get certificates?, because uptill a very long period into last year there were no certificates. You were issued all other documents but no certificate.
Sir,please check pictures I've posted showing custom's certificates,we at idiroko border always get them easily,I may not really know about seme border and even in cases where certificates can't be printed on time,especially for cars brought in Nigeria on fridays,there are to whom it may concern letters issued by the Comptroller General and you're advised to make at least 10 copies,which you can use pending when you get a certificate and it may not even be up to 2-3days before you get it.Customs service has improved and we thank God for that.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by abdulkadir(m): 12:24pm On Apr 21, 2013
@ Saintjoel; thanks for the info.
most times you are correct and you know your business well. My only challenge with you is you are alwaya on the defence. A lot of people post innocent question and views but you percieve it as an attack (i stand to be corrected). If i am not wrong you need to change that attitude because its your attitude plus your apptitude that determine your altitude not just the apptitude.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 7:46am On Apr 22, 2013
abdulkadir: @ Saintjoel; thanks for the info.
most times you are correct and you know your business well. My only challenge with you is you are always on the defence. A lot of people post innocent question and views but you perceive it as an attack (i stand to be corrected). If i am not wrong you need to change that attitude because its your attitude plus your aptitude that determine your altitude not just the aptitude.

Sir,I'm sorry for been on the defensive but believe me that it cotonou business hasn't been easy,when I came back to the border after my university days,we saw hell and that's why I'm always defending my business.
We are revolutionising the way our elders did business in cotonou and letting people know that it's not business as usual at idiroko or seme border,if you try anything illegal,we will hand you over to security agents.
To those who believe i've been aggresive,I'm very sorry but what I do is what brings food to my table and if I'm not sincere and honest with it,I will have to go back to the streets.

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Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by lotman4real(m): 1:48pm On Apr 22, 2013
plz am a nigerian bt a student in ghana , i need an opel tigra 1995 model , @#250,000 / #300,000.to be cleared for me frm nigeria- ghana, thanks
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by Advocatesam(f): 6:09pm On Apr 22, 2013
saintjoel:

Sir,I'm sorry for been on the defensive but believe me that it cotonou business hasn't been easy,when I came back to the border after my university days,we saw hell and that's why I'm always defending my business.
We are revolutionising the way our elders did business in cotonou and letting people know that it's not business as usual at idiroko or seme border,if you try anything illegal,we will hand you over to security agents.
To those who believe i've been aggresive,I'm very sorry but what I do is what brings food to my table and if I'm not sincere and honest with it,I will have to go back to the streets.

A good leader n u knw what customers' satisfaction is. Keep it up sir

1 Like

Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by JUO(m): 10:27pm On Apr 22, 2013
thanks bro. they actually collected cfa 450 from me and gave me a dead battery but every other thing was fine till date. if am going there again i will not buy battery, i will go with battery from nigeria
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by ziccoit: 11:35pm On Apr 22, 2013
@saintjoel. How do you clear the over age cars at the border with genuine custom papers? E. g a 1997 Golf 3.

1 Like

Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 7:39am On Apr 23, 2013
ziccoit: @saintjoel. How do you clear the over age cars at the border with genuine custom papers? E. g a 1997 Golf 3.

We go through an application process,an application is written to the custom service to bring in an under age car,it is written on the file as "APPLICATION FOR UNDER AGE CAR" and they'll now tell us how much we'll pay into the banks as duty.
Re: Dangers Of Buying Vehicles From Cotonou by saintjoel(m): 11:50am On Apr 23, 2013
abdulkadir:

do you now get certificates?, because uptill a very long period into last year there were no certificates. You were issued all other documents but no certificate.

Mr Abdulkadir,below is an example of a to whom it may concern letter issued by the C.O vechile seat where vechiles are inspected,the vechile assesment form,payslip and actual car.
The letter is issued in cases where the office has so much cars they've to issues certificates for and you can use it pending when the certificate comes out.
For more details,
CALL/ CONTACT GBENGA (AKOGUN) ON 08062948193,08085434102,+22967440978(MTN BENIN) OR BB-29CB1653.

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