Trade · Nigeria
Import goods into Nigeria
End-to-end regulatory procedure to import commercial goods into Nigeria: prohibition check → agency permits → e-Form M → SONCAP → PAAR → duty & clearance.
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Who you will deal with
The steps
- Confirm goods are importable
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
- Check the NCS Import Prohibition List; confirm goods are not banned or restricted.
- None
- Immediate
- Obtain product regulatory permit(s)
- NAFDAC and/or SON
- For food/drugs/cosmetics/chemicals: obtain NAFDAC permit/registration. For SON-regulated products (electronics, machinery, many consumer goods): prepare for SONCAP certification.
- NAFDAC permit; product certificate
- Weeks (product-dependent)
- Open e-Form M via Authorised Dealer Bank
- Authorised Dealer Bank → NCS
- Open and submit an electronic Form M through your bank; bank validates and forwards to NCS. Form M validity: 6 months (12 months for plant & machinery).
- Proforma invoice; insurance certificate; product certificate; relevant permits
- Validity 6 months (12 for machinery)
- Obtain SONCAP Certificate (SON-regulated goods)
- SON / accredited firm
- Exporter contacts an accredited firm with the Form M to obtain the SONCAP certificate; importer activates it.
- Form M; final invoice; Bill of Lading/Airway Bill; packing list
- Days–weeks
- Apply for PAAR
- NCS (Nigeria Single Window)
- Apply for the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report on the Nigeria Single Window; PAAR is issued to enable clearance.
- Activated SONCAP; Form M; shipping documents
- Days
- Pay duty & levies and clear goods
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
- Compute and pay import duty + levies + VAT (see cost components); clear cargo at the port of discharge.
- PAAR; final invoice; Certificate of Origin; transport docs; packing list
- Days (subject to inspection)
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The numbers behind the decision
Knowing the process is half of it. ONYX also tracks the operating environment you are entering — daily grid generation, official FX, state-level input prices and inflation, and sector output — each figure source-linked and dated.