Nigeria enforces stringent shipping and import regulations that will require some planning and preparation from you in order to ensure a smooth relocation to the country.
Customs in Nigeria
Inbound travellers can import duty free:
- 284 cl of perfume
- gifts for a value up to NGN 50,000
- banknotes worth up to NGN 5,000, and foreign currencies up to USD 5,000
- most types of personal effects
Additionally, individuals aged 18 at least can import duty free 200 cigarettes or 200 grams of tobacco or 50 medium sized cigars, as well as 1 litre of spirits and 1 litre of wine
On the other hand, such items as firearms and explosives, narcotics, obscene material, are prohibited from entering Nigeria.
Attention:
Substantial duty is levied on such electronic devices and appliances as cameras, radios, recorders etc., unless the passenger is a temporary visitor or can demonstrate that they have been using the item for at least 3 years.
Shipping goods to Nigeria
Specific custom regulations and requirements apply to shipments of household goods to Nigeria. In order to avoid seeing your belongings held or confiscated, make sure to thoroughly investigate the prescribed procedure and to meticulously follow it. It is highly advised to hire an international removal company to assist you in the process: in addition to ensuring proper transportation of your possessions, they will be able to fill you in on the details of the red tape. A number of reputable moving companies operate removals to Nigeria.
You will in any case need to submit to the custom authorities, some 30 days in advance of your shipment's arrival, documents including:
- a valid passport mentioning your date of arrival in the country;
- a visa, as well as a work and residence permit;
- a certificate of residence change;
- the form Sale 48 and the PUBD Form;
- an inventory list written in English; and
- clean reports of inspection and findings.
Household items and personal effects owned for a minimum of six months are generally duty free, however household appliances such as PCs, microwaves, washing machines and fridges are subject to duties.
Good to know:
Your shipment must arrive within two months of your arrival into Nigeria, and you must be personally present at the customs for your shipment to be cleared.
Attention:
Paperwork processing as well as congestion problems in Nigeria's transport hubs can induce significant delay.
Importing a vehicle into Nigeria
In comparison, importing motor vehicles into Nigeria is relatively simple. After paying a clearance fee (ranging from NGN 290,000 to 800,000 according to the date of production), the vehicle can be registered for use within the country.
Here are the required documents to import a car into Nigeria:
- your original passport
- a proof of ownership of the vehicle
- a purchase invoice
- a registration certificate
- a proof of insurance
- detailed make, model and serial number of the vehicle
- if the vehicle is used, a certificate of roadworthiness
Attention:
Vehicles aged over 15 from the year of manufacture are not admitted in Nigeria. You are not allowed to resell your foreign car into Nigeria.
Moving to Nigeria with pets
Bringing along your animal companion in Nigeria will, here again, require specific procedure.
Pets should be accompanied by a health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate stating that vaccination was administered within one week before arrival, issued by a veterinary from your origin country.
Attention:
Birds are prohibited from import into the country
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