What You Need to Know Before Shipping to Nigeria: Navigating Nigeria's Import Regulations.

Onaopemipo Sorunke
August 28, 2024
2 mins 24 secs

Week in, week out, we answer questions at our contact centres, ranging from what are prohibited items to ship and permitted items, understanding Nigeria's import regulations is crucial for anyone looking to ship goods to the country. 

With a comprehensive list of prohibited and restricted items, navigating these rules can be challenging. Fez Delivery, a leading last-mile delivery company In Nigeria, is here to help you navigate these complexities and ensure a smooth shipping experience.

Prohibited Imports:

Nigeria has a list of goods that are completely banned from importation, including weapons, counterfeit goods, and toxic waste.

  • Weapons: Air pistols and any device intended to release harmful substances are strictly prohibited.
  • Counterfeit and Pirated Items: This includes all counterfeit goods, pirated media, and fake currency.
  • Indecent or Obscene Material: Any form of media or art considered indecent or obscene is banned.
  • Second-hand Clothing: Importation is restricted to safeguard local textile industries.
  • Nuclear and Toxic Waste: Including nuclear industrial waste, is forbidden.
  • Non-Legal Tender Coins: Silver or metal alloy coins not recognized as legal tender in Nigeria.
  • White Phosphorus Matches: Matches containing white phosphorus are not allowed.
  • High-Alcohol Spirits: Spirits exceeding 48.5% alcohol content are restricted, with exceptions for certain spirits like brandy, gin, and rum under specific conditions.
  • Unfit Food and Consumables: Meat, vegetables, or any food deemed unsafe for consumption.
  • Miscellaneous Prohibited Items: This includes cowries, celluloid beads, blank invoices, and foreign betting coupons.

These prohibitions aim to safeguard public health, national security, and moral standards.

Restricted Imports:

Certain goods can be imported under specific conditions or with limitations, such as;

- Food and Agriculture:  - Live or deceased birds, including frozen poultry.  - Pork and beef products.  - Eggs from birds, not including those for hatching.  - Refined vegetable oils and fats, such as mayonnaise (crude vegetable oil is permitted).- **Food and Beverages**:  - Cane or beet sugar, and chemically pure sucrose in retail packaging.  - Cocoa products like butter, powder, and cakes.  - Spaghetti and noodles.  - Fruit juices in retail packaging.  - All types of waters, including mineral water with added sugar or sweeteners.  - Beer and stout in any form of packaging.  - Tomato paste or concentrate for retail sale.- Construction and Manufacturing:  - Cement in bags.  - Mineral or chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (excluding organic types).  - Corrugated paper, paperboard, and products like cartons and boxes.  - Used compressors, fridges, and freezers.  - Motor vehicles more than fifteen years old from the year of manufacture.- **Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies:  - Various medications including paracetamol, cotrimoxazole, metronidazole, chloroquine tablets, and syrups.  - Haematinics like ferrous sulphate and folic acid tablets.  - Multivitamins in tablet and syrup form (excluding special formulations).  - Aspirin tablets (with exceptions for certain formulations).  - Magnesium trisilicate tablets and suspensions.  - Anthelmintics like piperazine, levamisole tablets, and syrups.  - Topical treatments such as clotrimazole cream, penicillin/gentamycin ointments, and pyrantel pamoate tablets/syrups.  - Intravenous solutions like dextrose and normal saline.  - Waste pharmaceuticals.- **Consumer Products:  - Soaps and detergents in retail packaging.  - Mosquito repellent coils.  - All types of footwear, bags, and suitcases (excluding certain safety and sports footwear).  - Hollow glass bottles over 150ml for beverage packaging.  - Ballpoint pens and parts, including refills (except for tips).

These restrictions are in place to regulate the quantity and quality of imports to support local industries and ensure safety standards.

Fez: Your Trusted Shipping Partner:

With our expertise in shipping from the US, UK, and Canada to Nigeria, Fez ensures your items comply with Nigerian customs laws, avoiding delays and potential fines. Fez simplifies the shipping process, providing the tools and support needed to ship legally and efficiently.

Conclusion:

Navigating Nigeria's import regulations can be challenging, but with Fez as your trusted shipping partner, you can rest assured that your shipments will adhere to all relevant regulations. Trust Fez for a smooth delivery experience.