How to Export from Nigeria: A Step-by-Step Guide for Manufacturers

If you want to know how to export from Nigeria, the path has seven main steps: register your company properly, get your NEPC exporter registration, make sure your product meets the right standards, find a buyer, prepare your export documents, ship through a licensed agent, and get paid and bring the money home through a bank. None of these steps is hard alone. The trouble comes when a factory skips one and the shipment gets stuck at the port. This guide walks through each step in plain words.

This is general information. Rules and fees change, so confirm current requirements with NEPC, Nigeria Customs and your bank before you ship.

Step 1: Register the company with export in its objects

Your business should be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The company's stated business objects should include export activities. If they do not, ask your lawyer or the CAC how to update them before you apply for anything else. Many later steps ask for your CAC papers, so keep clean copies.

Step 2: Get your NEPC registration and exporter certificate

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is the main agency for exporters. NEPC registration is done online. After approval you receive the exporter certificate NEPC issues to registered exporters. One guide we reviewed says the certificate is valid for 24 months at first and can be renewed. Please confirm the current validity, renewal rules and fees directly with NEPC.

This certificate matters. You need it before you can use export incentives such as the Export Expansion Grant. Read our guide to the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) to see how those benefits work.

Do you need an export licence in Nigeria?

Many people search for "export licence Nigeria" and expect one single paper. In practice, most manufactured goods do not need one general licence. What you need depends on the product. Some goods, such as food, drugs and cosmetics, need approval from product agencies. Some raw materials and restricted items have their own rules. Ask NEPC, your customs agent or your buyer's forwarder whether your product code needs a special permit.

Step 3: Make sure the product meets standards

Your buyer, and the buyer's country, may ask for proof that your product is safe and meets a standard. In Nigeria, food, drugs and cosmetics usually go through NAFDAC. Many manufactured goods fall under the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Buyers abroad may also ask for tests from their own side. Our post on product certification for African manufacturers explains what each agency does and how to prepare.

Step 4: Find a buyer and agree the deal in writing

You can export without a buyer, but it is risky. Most successful factories ship against a confirmed order. Before shipping, agree these points in writing:

Product, specification and quantity
Unit price and currency
Delivery term (for example FOB or CIF)
Payment terms and when payment is due
Packing, labelling and shipping marks

A buyer who sends a clear request is a good sign. On Comilmart, buyers can post a request once and receive competing offers from verified manufacturers, so you can respond to real demand.

Step 5: Prepare your export documents in Nigeria

The exact set depends on the product and the destination. The documents most exporters prepare are:

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin, if your buyer or the destination needs it
Product certificates or permits (for example NAFDAC or SON papers where they apply)
Transport document, such as a bill of lading or airway bill
Customs export declaration, usually prepared by your licensed customs agent

If you plan to sell inside Africa and want lower tariffs, the certificate of origin is very important. It depends on your product qualifying as Nigerian-origin. Our guide to AfCFTA rules of origin explains the tests. These export documents Nigeria buyers and customs ask for should match each other exactly: names, quantities, weights and values. A small mismatch can delay clearance.

Step 6: Use a customs agent and a freight forwarder

Most manufacturers use a licensed customs agent for the export declaration and a freight forwarder for booking space on the ship or plane. Ask for a written quote that lists every charge: trucking, port fees, documentation and terminal handling. Ask them which documents they need from you and when. Confirm current port and customs procedures with them, because processes change.

Step 7: Get paid and repatriate the money

Export proceeds should come back through a Nigerian bank. This is not only a legal point. Some incentives need proof that the money was repatriated and confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Keep your bank advice, invoices and shipping papers together in one file. For safe payment methods, read how African exporters get paid by foreign buyers safely.

Frequently asked questions

Can a small factory start exporting from Nigeria? Yes. You need a registered company, NEPC registration, a product that meets the buyer's standard, and a clear order. Many exporters start with a small first shipment to learn the process.

How long does the NEPC exporter certificate take? We cannot give a reliable time. Registration is online. Ask NEPC for current timelines and fees.

Do I need a customs agent? Most exporters use a licensed agent because the declaration and port steps are technical. Ask your forwarder what they handle.

Should I ask for payment before shipping? Many new exporters ask for a deposit or full advance payment from new buyers. The payments guide linked above compares your options.

Getting started

If you want to start exporting from Nigeria with less risk, begin with one product and one buyer. Once your registration and product papers are ready, the next step is reaching buyers. Ready to reach buyers? Apply as a supplier on Comilmart — there are no listing fees to get started. You can list your first product free.