How to Import from China to Nigeria in 2026: Costs, Duties and Clearing

If you want to know how to import from China to Nigeria, the honest answer is that the shipping is the easy part. The hard part is the paperwork that has to be in place before the goods leave China: a registered business, a tax number, a Form M opened through your bank, and, for regulated products, a SONCAP certificate. Get the order wrong and your container sits at the port collecting charges. This guide walks through the process in the order you will actually meet it, from finding a supplier to collecting the cargo in Lagos. For the duty and tax rates themselves, we already cover that in our guide to customs duties when importing into Nigeria, so this post focuses on the process around them.

Step 1: Get your business and bank in order first

The Nigerian Ports Authority's import guidelines list the starting requirements plainly. You need a registered company in Nigeria with a certificate of registration, a Tax Identification Number (TIN) linked to a working email address, and an Authorised Dealer Bank that will process your Form M and deal with customs and other agencies for you. Choose the bank before you choose the supplier, because the bank is the gatekeeper for everything that follows.

On Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) costs: the figures published by different guides for business name and company registration in 2026 do not agree with each other, and the CAC site did not publish a fee table we could confirm. So we are not quoting a number here. Check the current fee on the official CAC portal (start from cac.gov.ng) before you pay, and be careful of anyone asking for much more than the portal shows.

Step 2: Finding a supplier in China and checking they are real

Most Nigerian importers start on B2B platforms, at trade fairs, or through a sourcing agent. Whichever route you use, treat the first conversation as a screening exercise. Third-party buyer guides repeatedly flag the same warning signs: branded goods at suspiciously low prices, a supplier that has traded for less than a year, a company profile that looks copied from a real firm, requests to pay into a personal account, and a sample that is noticeably better than what arrives later. Ask for the company's business licence and check it independently, insist on a written specification, and order a sample before a bulk order.

It also helps to know what you are comparing against. Our list of red flags when sourcing products online applies just as well to Chinese suppliers, and the landed cost guide shows how to work out whether the cheap factory price survives freight, duty and clearing. If the numbers are close, buying from a verified supplier already in Africa can save you the entire process below. You can browse the B2B wholesale catalog or the verified supplier directory to compare.

Step 3: How to pay a Chinese supplier from Nigeria

Your payment route is tied to Form M, so the usual sequence is: agree a proforma invoice, open Form M on the Nigerian Trade Platform (the Single Window), attach the proforma and insurance certificate, and submit it to your bank. The bank validates it and sends it to the Nigeria Customs Service, which accepts or rejects it. Only after acceptance do you send the exporter a copy of the Form M. Do not release large payments before that step is complete.

For the payment itself, protect yourself in layers. On marketplaces that offer escrow-style cover, such as Alibaba's Trade Assurance, paying through the platform means the money is held until you confirm the order, which is safer than a direct transfer. Never pay a deposit to a personal account or to a company name that differs from the one on the contract. Settle every term before paying: specification, price, delivery date, refund and dispute terms. Splitting payment into a deposit and a balance paid against the bill of lading copy is common, but only agree to it once the supplier has been checked.

Step 4: Sea freight vs air freight from China to Lagos

Sea freight is the default for anything bulky or heavy, because it costs far less per kilogram. You can ship a full container (FCL) or share one with other importers (LCL), which suits smaller orders but adds handling and delays. Air freight is faster and suits samples, lightweight, high-value goods and urgent restocking, though it costs much more per kilogram. Quotes change with season, fuel and carrier capacity, so ask a forwarder for current figures rather than relying on a number in a blog post.

Agree your Incoterm in writing. FOB means the supplier loads the goods onto the ship and you take over from there, while CIF puts freight and insurance on the supplier's invoice. Our guide to EXW, FOB and CIF for first-time importers explains which suits a beginner. Whichever you pick, insure the cargo.

Step 5: SONCAP and product standards

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) runs SONCAP, a pre-shipment certification scheme for SON-regulated finished products. According to SON, the sequence is: obtain a Product Certificate through an accredited firm, open Form M and attach it, get the SONCAP Certificate for the shipment, then attach that to your Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) application. The SONCAP certificate covers one consignment and cannot be reused.

Timing matters. SON states that applications made after the goods have already left the country of origin are not accepted, and a SONCAP default charge of 20% of CIF value or N2 million, whichever is higher, applies instead. Food and medicines are outside SONCAP, but that does not mean they are unregulated; they fall under their own agencies such as NAFDAC. If you are unsure whether your product is regulated, ask SON or your clearing agent before you pay the factory.

Step 6: Clearing goods at the Lagos ports

Most containers land at the Apapa or Tin Can Island ports, with other commands such as PTML and Lekki also in the mix. Nigeria Customs has been moving clearance onto a platform called B'Odogwu, which is replacing the older NICIS II system. Through it, your licensed clearing agent handles the Form M record, PAAR and the Single Goods Declaration, and customs valuation uses Central Bank exchange-rate data.

In practice, the steps are: your agent submits the declaration with the bill of lading, invoice, packing list and certificates; customs and the other agencies review it; you pay duties through your bank against a payment reference; customs may inspect the cargo; then the release documents are issued and you present them to the terminal operator before trucking. Terminal charges and shipping line charges are separate, and demurrage builds up daily if you delay. Use a licensed clearing agent with port experience, ask for a written breakdown of every charge, and keep copies of everything.

Common scams and mistakes when importing from China

• Paying before Form M is accepted. You may be stuck with goods you cannot legally clear.
• Skipping SONCAP on a regulated product. Goods can be detained, tested and even destroyed at your cost.
• Trusting a bargain price with no samples. Quality often drops between sample and bulk order.
• Using an unlicensed agent who asks for cash with no receipt.
• Mis-declared goods or wrong HS codes. These trigger inspections and extra charges.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a registered company to import into Nigeria? The Nigerian Ports Authority guidelines list a company registration certificate and a TIN as starting requirements, along with an Authorised Dealer Bank. Confirm the exact requirement for your situation with your bank or a licensed clearing agent.

What is Form M and when do I open it? Form M is the mandatory import application processed through your bank on the Nigerian Trade Platform. Open it before the goods ship, because your supplier needs a copy to start the SONCAP process for regulated goods.

How long does clearing take at Apapa or Tin Can? Customs has publicly targeted two to eight hours at fully deployed ports, but real timelines depend on documentation, inspection and terminal congestion, so ask your agent for a realistic estimate.

Is it cheaper to import than to buy locally? Not always. Once freight, duty, clearing, storage and your time are added, local wholesale can win on small orders. Rates and fees change, so confirm current figures with the Nigeria Customs Service or a licensed clearing agent.

Getting started

If you want to test demand before committing to a container, create a free Comilmart account, request a quote (RFQ) from suppliers in the B2B catalog, and order a sample first. Verified suppliers and buyer protection, where payments are held until delivery is confirmed, give you a lower-risk way to start while you build your import setup.