How to Clear Goods at Nigerian Ports: A Step-by-Step Guide for Importers

Clearing goods in Nigeria means getting your imported cargo through the Nigeria Customs Service process and out of the port or terminal. In broad terms, you open a Form M through a bank, get any required product certificates, have a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) processed, pay the assessed duties, and then have the cargo examined and released, usually with a licensed customs agent. This guide walks through the general process for first-time importers.

Important: this is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, portals, fees and agency requirements change often, and they differ by product. Confirm every step and every cost with a licensed customs agent, your bank and the relevant authority before you ship.

The import clearing process in Nigeria at a glance

Nigeria customs clearance is the stage where most first-time importers lose time and money, so it helps to see the whole import clearing process Nigeria uses before you place an order.

Public guides describe a sequence like the one below. The exact order and portals can change, so treat it as a map, not a manual.

1. Prepare your business and bank. You generally need a registered business, a tax identification number, and an authorised dealer bank, which is the bank that processes your Form M.
2. Get product approvals if your goods are regulated. Some goods need a product certificate, such as under SONCAP for items regulated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, or permits from NAFDAC for certain foods and regulated chemicals.
3. Open a Form M with your bank, supported by documents such as the proforma invoice and insurance certificate.
4. PAAR is processed. After the Form M is accepted and any required certificates are in place, a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report is processed through the national single window system.
5. Customs assesses and you pay. You receive an assessment of duties and levies, which you pay through your bank.
6. Cargo arrives and a goods declaration is made. Shipping line and terminal details are confirmed, and the declaration is generated.
7. Examination, release and exit. Customs may examine the cargo, and once cleared you receive release documents, which you present at the terminal before the goods leave.

Form M explained

Form M is the document used to register an import into Nigeria. It is opened online and submitted through your authorised dealer bank, which reviews it and passes it to the Nigeria Customs Service. The Form M can be accepted or rejected, often because information or documents are missing or incomplete.

Practical points on Form M:

• Open it before your supplier ships. Starting after the goods are already on the water can cause delays.
• Make sure the goods description, quantity, value and supplier details match your commercial invoice.
• Check the Harmonised System (HS) code with your agent, because wrong classification affects the duty and can cause delays.
• Keep the Form M number, because it is referenced on the invoice and other shipping documents.

PAAR, SONCAP and NAFDAC: what they are

PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) is a pre-arrival assessment submitted after the Form M and supporting documents, through the national single window platform. Customs reviews it and may register it, query it or reject it.

SONCAP is the Standards Organisation of Nigeria's conformity programme for many regulated product groups, such as electrical goods, building materials, machinery, automotive parts and consumer products. Certificates are issued through SON-authorised firms. The set of authorised firms can change, so ask SON or your agent which firm to use for your product.

NAFDAC is the agency that regulates foods, drugs, cosmetics and certain chemicals. Some imports need NAFDAC permits before clearing. If your product is food, cosmetics or similar, speak to NAFDAC or an experienced agent before you order.

Not every product needs all of these. Confirm which approvals apply to your product and HS code before you pay your supplier.

Documents you will usually need

Lists vary by product, but typical documents include:

• Form M and the PAAR
• Commercial invoice and proforma invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading (sea freight) or airway bill (air freight)
• Insurance certificate
• Certificate of origin
• Product certificates or permits for regulated goods
• Duty payment confirmation from your bank

Our guide to the bill of lading, commercial invoice and packing list explains the three shipping documents in detail, and why errors on them cause trouble at the port.

Apapa and Tin Can port clearing: what to expect

Apapa and Tin Can Island in Lagos are described in public guides as the busiest gateways for Nigeria's imports. If your goods arrive there, expect a busy environment where timing and paperwork matter. Practical tips for Apapa Tin Can port clearing:

• Use an agent with current experience at the specific port and terminal your cargo will use.
• Ask your freight forwarder which terminal your container is assigned to and when it is expected to arrive.
• Have all documents, approvals and payments ready before arrival, so the container is not waiting on you.
• Track your cargo, and keep your agent's phone number and the container number in a safe place.

Other Nigerian ports exist as well, and the process in principle is similar, but terminal and port details differ. Confirm local procedures with your agent.

How to choose a customs agent in Nigeria

Most importers use a licensed clearing agent rather than clearing themselves. Choosing a customs agent Nigeria importers can trust is one of the most important decisions in the process. A good customs agent in Nigeria can save you time and money, and a poor one can cost you both.

1. Check that the agent is licensed. Ask for their licence details and confirm them with the relevant authority.
2. Ask for experience with your product and port. Clearing a container of tiles is different from clearing food or electronics.
3. Ask for references. Speak to other importers who have used the agent for similar goods.
4. Get the scope and costs in writing. Ask what is included, which charges are paid to third parties such as the shipping line or terminal, and how you will get receipts.
5. Insist on receipts. You should be able to see what was paid and to whom.
6. Stay involved. Ask for status updates and copies of key documents, and never hand over your documents and disappear.

Be cautious of anyone who promises to bypass the process or offers unusually fast clearance without paperwork. That can expose you to penalties and loss of goods.

Duties, taxes and demurrage risk

Customs duties and other charges depend on the product classification and valuation, so we do not quote rates. Use our guide to import duties, VAT and landed cost to understand how to build the full cost of an import, and ask your agent for a written estimate before you ship.

Demurrage is a charge by a shipping line when a container stays beyond the free time allowed, and storage charges can apply at terminals. Delays in clearing can add costs. To reduce the risk:

• Start the paperwork early, before the goods ship.
• Make sure product names, quantities and values match across all documents.
• Ask your agent and forwarder what free days apply and when they start.
• Avoid last-minute changes to documents once the cargo is on the water.

Common mistakes first-time importers make

• Paying the supplier before checking whether the product needs a certificate or permit.
• Opening the Form M after the shipment has already left.
• Describing goods differently on different documents.
• Choosing an agent only on price.
• Not budgeting for duties, terminal charges, transport and delays.

If you are importing from China, our guide to importing from China to Nigeria covers the buying side, and our freight to Africa shipping guide covers the shipping side.

Frequently asked questions

What is Form M? It is the registration document for an import into Nigeria, opened online and submitted through an authorised dealer bank to the Nigeria Customs Service.

What is PAAR? A Pre-Arrival Assessment Report. It is processed after the Form M and supporting documents, through the national single window platform, before the goods arrive.

Do I need a customs agent? Most importers use a licensed agent because the process is technical. Confirm current rules with the Nigeria Customs Service.

How long does clearing take? It varies with the product, documents, port conditions and approvals, so we do not give a figure. Ask your agent for a realistic estimate and plan for delays.

How much does clearing cost? It depends on the goods, the duty rate, the port charges and agent fees. Ask for a written estimate from a licensed agent.

Which goods need SONCAP or NAFDAC approval? It depends on the product. Check with SON, NAFDAC or your agent before ordering.

Getting started

Before you buy, write down your product, HS code, approvals needed and a budget for duties and charges. If you are still looking for suppliers, you can post a sourcing request on Comilmart to receive offers from verified sellers. Comilmart connects buyers with verified sellers across Africa, and sellers have no listing fees to get started. Always confirm clearing requirements with a licensed customs agent.