Shipping to Nigeria
Shipping to Nigeria
If you are interested in cargo shipping to Nigeria, there are a number of different shipping ports in Nigeria including the Port of Apapa, the Port Harcourt and the Port of Pennington.
If you need sea shipping to Nigeria, there are some important documents you should plan to have available before shipping to Nigeria:
- Passport
- Visa
- Work Permit and Residence Permit
- Certificate of Residence Change
- Customs and Excise Unaccompanied Baggage Declaration
- Form Sale 48
- Detailed shipping inventory written in English
You will also need to complete the PUBD Form after you arrive in Nigeria. Make sure you have a letter authorizing the Destination Agent in Nigeria to clear your ocean freight.
When shipping to Nigeria, you might want to plan to be present for customs clearance if possible. Your cargo will be inspected during Nigerian customs clearance. You may also have to open up a bank account while you are in Nigeria so that you can apply for the required Form “M” for shipping to Nigeria.
Duty Free Shipping when Shipping to Nigeria
When shipping to Nigeria, it is helpful to note that used personal items and household goods often qualify for duty-free shipping to Nigeria.
In order to qualify for duty free shipping to Nigeria, your cargo should be used and you must have owned your personal items for at least 6 months prior to shipment. In addition, the cargo you ship to Nigeria must be for your personal use and not for resale purposes.
If you are Nigerian citizen returning to the country and you would like to qualify for duty-free shipping to Nigeria, you must have lived outside of Nigeria for at least nine months prior to shipping to Nigeria.
Please note that it is also important that your cargo shipment to Nigeria arrive within two months of your own arrival in Nigeria.
Dutiable and Restricted Items when Shipping to Nigeria
You will have to pay various fees in order to ship some goods to Nigeria. You can ship alcohol and tobacco products to Nigeria without an import permit if they are included as part of your household goods shipment. These items must be in a reasonable quantity for personal use. In addition, you will be expected to pay import duties on any alcohol and tobacco products.
You are also allowed to ship appliances to Nigeria but you are limited in quantity. You can ship one of each type of appliance to Nigeria.
Other items that are restricted or require specific import duties when shipping to Nigeria include the following:
- Perfume
- Jewelry
- Any films, videotapes, video discs, compact discs, publications, audio tapes and gramophone records
- Computers
Prohibited Items when Shipping to Nigeria
If you are shipping to Nigeria, there is a lengthy list of items that are prohibited from entering the country. You are not allowed to ship the following to Nigeria:
- Air pistols
- Airmail photographic printing paper
- Counterfeit money of any type
- Beads composed of inflammable celluloid or other similar substances
- Blank invoices
- Cars that are eight years or older
- Coupons for foreign football pools or other betting arrangements
- Cowries
- Exhausted tea or tea mixed with other substances. For the purposes of this item, “exhausted tea” means tea which has been deprived of its proper quality, strength or virtue by steeping, infusion, decoction or other means.
- Implements appertaining to the reloading of cartridges
- Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, books, cards, engravings or articles of any type
- Manilas
- Matches made with white phosphorous
- Materials of nay description with a design which, considering the purpose for which any such material is intended to be used, is likely in the opinion of the President to create a breach of the peace or to offend the religious views of any class of persons in Nigeria.
- Meat, vegetables or other provisions declared by a Nigerian health officer to be unfit for human consumption
- Piece goods and all other textiles including wearing apparel. Hardware of all kinds crockery and china or earthenware goods bearing inscriptions (whether in Roman or Arabic characters) from the Koran or from the traditions and commentaries on the Koran
- Pistols disguised in any form
- Second-hand clothing
- Silver or metal alloy coins not being legal tender in Nigeria
Shipping a Car to Nigeria
If you are interested in shipping a vehicle to Nigeria, it must be for your own personal use and not for resale or disposal purposes.
You are not allowed to ship vehicles eight years or older to Nigeria. You are also expected to pay duty fees when shipping a vehicle to Nigeria.
Documents required for car shipping to Nigeria include the following:
- Proof of vehicle ownership
- Vehicle Registration Certificate or Original Logbook
- Car Insurance papers
- Passport (original)
- Invoice of purchase
- Certificate of Road Worthiness (if you are shipping a used vehicle)
- Make, Model and Serial Number of your vehicle
There is a lot to think about as you plan international shipping to Nigeria or some other destination in Africa or worldwide. A professional cargo shipping company like Cargo Experts will help you navigate all of the country specific rules and regulations, paperwork, and logistics.
Choosing the right international cargo shipping company can help make your experience with overseas moving and shipping to Nigeria much easier. You can get a fast and free freight quote from Cargo Experts, or you can call toll free 1- 866-994-7822 for more information about shipping to Nigeria.