How to Clear Goods at Lagos Port, Step by Step (2026)

If you import into Nigeria, you need to know how to clear goods at Lagos port, because most sea cargo for the country's commercial heartland arrives at the Apapa and Tin Can Island port complexes. Clearing means getting your goods legally released from customs control after you have registered the import, declared the goods, paid the assessed charges and passed any inspection. It is a process with several stages and several parties, and a missing document at any stage can hold the container. This guide lays out the steps using Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Ports Authority pages, read in October 2026.

Procedures, systems and timelines change. Confirm each step with the Nigeria Customs Service or a licensed customs agent before you ship.

The Lagos ports: Apapa and Tin Can Island

The Nigerian Ports Authority's western ports page lists two complexes. At Apapa (the Lagos Port Complex), terminals include Apapa Bulk Terminal Ltd (Terminals A and B), ENL Consortium (Terminals C and D, handling break bulk, general cargo and containers), APM Terminals Ltd (the container terminal, berths 15 to 18A), Greenview Development Nigeria Ltd (Terminal E, bulk) and the Lilypond terminal at Ijora. At Tin Can Island, the terminals include Terminal A (bulk), Terminal B (containers), Terminals C and D (containers and general cargo) and a roll-on roll-off terminal for vehicles and containers. The Authority's Lagos Port Complex page describes Apapa as the country's earliest and largest port, operating 24 hours a day, with five private terminals under concessions that began in 2006.

Your bill of lading and shipping line notice will tell you which terminal your container is going to. Ask your agent to confirm it early, because documents and charges are tied to the terminal.

Alibaba's guide to countries it ships to also notes that Lagos is a major hub but that buyers should consider potential delays due to port congestion. Build slack into your schedule and your cash plan.

How to clear goods at Lagos port: the sequence

The Customs Service's service level agreement describes the flow. The Unified Customs Management System, called B'Odogwu, is the system for import and export processes, with electronic Form M, electronic PAAR, an e-manifest, electronic lodgement and self-assessment, electronic payment, a risk selectivity engine and electronic cargo release.

Get registered and ready. The Customs Service's valuation guide says a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN) is the key registration element. See our guide to the TIN for small businesses.
Register Form M before shipping. The importer completes Form M through an authorised dealer bank for Central Bank of Nigeria approval, and the Customs Service then registers it. Documents listed include regulatory certificates depending on the goods, the proforma invoice and an insurance certificate. The indicative timeline is one day, free of charge on the Customs Service document.
Obtain the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). This needs a registered Form M and documents such as the bill of lading (or airway bill or waybill), commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin, plus regulatory certificates where relevant. The indicative timeline is two days. The document says the PAAR applies to items under destination inspection.
Submit the single goods declaration and e-manifest. The importer or agent generates the electronic single goods declaration (SGD) and an assessment notice, which requires the PAAR and the e-manifest.
Pay the assessed amount. Payment is made based on the assessment notice. Our guide to how to calculate import duty in Nigeria explains what goes into that number.
Inspection and examination. Where applicable, inspection is requested and a report is generated by the Customs Service or the joint inspection team. Declarants may be present or represented when goods are examined.
Release. If the cargo complies, it is released. The document gives an indicative 48 hours for declaration and release when all requirements are met, and notes that timelines may vary with complexity and workload.

If the examiner finds a problem

The same document says that where an examiner finds discrepancies, they are escalated for query and amendment, and that the discrepancies should be addressed not later than 96 hours. For a demand notice, the declarant either writes a letter accepting it or escalates the matter to the area command's dispute resolution committee. This is why accurate documents matter: a mismatch between the invoice, packing list and goods slows everything. Check that quantities, descriptions, HS codes and values agree across every document before the goods leave the supplier.

Working with a clearing agent

The service level agreement notes that declarants may use licensed customs representatives under the Act, that a representative has the same rights as the principal and must follow client instructions and provide accurate information. Most small importers use an agent because the process is technical and time-sensitive. How to choose one:

Ask for proof of the agent's customs licence and check it with the Customs Service.
Ask for a written quote that lists each charge you will pay, including agent fees, and what is excluded.
Ask which documents you must supply, and give them early.
Agree who communicates with the shipping line and the terminal, and how you will be updated.
Give your agent accurate information. You are responsible for what is declared in your name.

The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria runs an online registration portal, so ask any freight forwarder you use whether they are registered with it. Our guide to choosing a freight forwarder covers the questions to ask.

Document checklist: how to clear goods at Lagos port without delays

Registered Form M and the PAAR.
Bill of lading (or airway bill), commercial invoice and packing list.
Certificate of origin.
Regulatory certificates for your product, where required. See our guide to SONCAP and PVoC preparation and product standards and certification.
Insurance certificate.
Your TIN and company documents.

Frequently asked questions

Which port should my goods go to? It depends on the cargo type and the shipping line. Apapa and Tin Can Island both handle containers; your shipping line will confirm the discharge terminal.

Can I clear goods myself? The Customs Service document allows declarants to use licensed customs representatives; it does not say you cannot self-declare, but the process is technical. Ask the Customs Service what applies to your shipment.

How long does clearing take? The Customs Service document gives indicative timelines of one day for Form M, two days for the PAAR and 48 hours for declaration and release, if all requirements are met. Real timelines depend on your documents, inspection and workload.

Do I need a Form M for every import? Ask the Customs Service or your agent. The document describes Form M as part of the process for goods it covers.

Does Comilmart clear goods for me? No. Suppliers arrange and pay for shipping and delivery on B2B orders, and we do not handle freight, customs clearance or duties. For Ghana and Kenya, see importing from China to Ghana and to Kenya.

Next step

Before you place an order, ask suppliers for the shipping term, HS code and documents they will provide, so your agent can prepare early. You can post your product request at /request-quotation with the product, quantity and delivery country, and browse B2B listings at /browse. Knowing how to clear goods at Lagos port starts before the ship leaves: with the right paperwork, a clear agent and a realistic timeline.