Before Buying Goods to Import into Nigeria: What to Check

Why the checking happens before the buying

Many first-time importers begin with the supplier: they find a good price, agree an order and pay a deposit. Only afterwards do they ask how the goods will get to Nigeria. By then the money is committed, and any problem with the product, the papers or the route has to be solved with a supplier who already has your payment.

Reversing the order costs very little. A few conversations with your forwarder before you buy tell you whether the goods can enter Nigeria, what the supplier must provide and how the shipment will arrive. This is especially valuable if you live abroad, because you cannot walk down to the port and ask questions when something looks wrong.

Check one: does your product need anything extra?

Some goods enter Nigeria freely and others need a permit, a registration, a product approval or a certificate from the country of origin. Food, medicines, cosmetics, electrical items, chemicals and used goods are the usual categories where extra requirements appear, although the answer depends on the exact product.

Describe the product to your forwarder as precisely as you can: what it is, what it is made of, what it is used for and how it is packed. Ask what is needed before shipping, not after arrival. A container that reaches Lagos without a required document sits in the terminal while storage and container charges keep building, and no amount of effort on the day will shorten that wait.

Check two: can the supplier produce clean documents?

Your clearing agent will build the customs declaration from the supplier's papers. The commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading must tell the same story: the same product description, quantities, weights, values and consignee name.

Before ordering, ask the supplier for sample documents from a previous export, with the buyer's details removed. Ask whether they have shipped to West Africa before, and whether they can mark and pack the goods so that each item can be matched to the packing list. A supplier who answers these questions easily is usually one who will cause fewer problems later.

Pay particular attention to the description of the goods. Vague wording such as "assorted items" or "spare parts" invites questions at assessment and slows the file down.

• commercial invoice with a full, plain description of each product
• packing list matching the invoice line by line
• certificates or test reports your product may need
• bill of lading with your correct consignee details

Check three: delivery terms and who pays for what

The incoterm in your order, such as EXW, FOB or CIF, decides who arranges and pays for each leg between the supplier's door and the Nigerian port. It also decides whose forwarder books the shipping line, which affects how much you can see and control.

A first-time importer often does best when the goods are collected and shipped through a forwarder who also clears them in Nigeria, so that one party follows the shipment from end to end. Agree the terms in writing before you pay, and ask your forwarder to read them first.

Allow in your budget for everything after the port as well: terminal handling, clearing, haulage and delivery. A low price at the supplier's gate says little about what the goods will cost in your hands.

Check four and five: the route and the receiving plan

Ask how much cargo you have and whether it suits a full container or a shared one. Small orders often travel better in a shared container, though they may wait for the consolidator to gather enough cargo before sailing. Ask which Nigerian port is most practical for your goods and where you need them delivered.

Then plan the arrival. Someone in Nigeria must be named to receive the goods, with a delivery address, a way to unload and a plan for storage if the goods are not sold at once. If you are abroad, this person can be a trusted relative, a business partner or your forwarder's delivery team, but the arrangement should exist before the container sails.

Planning your first purchase with Vandyvah

Vandyvah's customs and freight forwarding team works with importers who are still deciding what to buy. We can review the product, the supplier's draft documents and the delivery terms, coordinate collection and shipping, handle customs clearing and terminal release in Nigeria, and arrange delivery to your door or warehouse while keeping you informed wherever you live.

If you are thinking of placing a first order, contact the operations team before the cargo ships, and ideally before you pay the supplier. A short conversation about the goods and where they must end up is the simplest way to begin a small first shipment with confidence.