Shipping from China to Nigeria
Sea, air and express freight to Lagos and beyond – with door-to-door delivery, customs cleared. We handle Form M, PAAR and SONCAP so your cargo is not held at the port.
Shipping options from China to Nigeria
| Mode | Typical transit (indicative) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight - FCL (20ft / 40ft / 40HQ) | 35-45 days port to port | Full container loads, building materials, machinery, battery storage |
| Sea freight - LCL | 40-50 days | Cargo under about 15 CBM |
| Air freight | 5-10 days | Urgent, high-value or low-volume consignments |
| Express courier | 3-7 days | Samples, documents, spare parts |
Indicative port-to-port transit times. Door-to-door adds time for customs clearance and inland delivery. We confirm dates for your specific shipment.
China origin ports we use: Shenzhen (Yantian), Guangzhou (Nansha), Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao
Nigerian entry points: Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island, Lekki), Abuja, Kano
What decides your shipping cost
We quote every shipment individually, because a container rate on its own tells you very little. Your quotation depends on:
- Cargo details - volume (CBM), gross weight and commodity
- China origin - the port and the trucking distance from your factory
- Container type - 20GP, 40GP or 40HQ; for LCL, the chargeable volume
- Destination - Lagos port choice and final delivery address
- Route - direct service or transhipment
- Surcharges - fuel, peak season, congestion and security, which move with the market
- Scope - port-to-port, CIF, or door-to-door DDP with customs and duties included
- Special handling - batteries and other dangerous goods require additional documentation and, for air, DG acceptance
One thing importers should always check: a low ocean freight rate can still produce a high total cost if origin handling, destination charges or duties are excluded. When you compare quotations, compare the scope, not just the headline number.
We quote in writing, with a clear validity period and a clear statement of what is and is not included.
Nigerian ports - where your cargo arrives
Lagos - Apapa Port
Nigeria's main general cargo port. High volume, well connected to Lagos industrial areas, and the most common entry point for containerised imports.
Lagos - Tin Can Island Port
Handles containers and general cargo, often used when Apapa is congested.
Lagos - Lekki Deep Sea Port
The newest and deepest port. Capable of handling larger vessels, with modern terminal facilities and less congestion - increasingly chosen for new projects.
Inland destinations: Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan. Inland trucking can be included in a door-to-door booking.
Customs and documentation for Nigeria
Nigeria has specific requirements that catch first-time importers. These are the documents that matter.
Before the cargo leaves China
- Form M - opened by the importer through an authorised dealer bank, with a Proforma Invoice from the Chinese supplier. This must be in place before shipment.
- Product Certificate (PC) - where the product falls under SONCAP
- Commercial invoice, packing list - with correct HS codes, detailed to each packing unit
- Bill of lading or air waybill
Before the cargo arrives
- PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) - generated by Nigeria Customs from your final documents submitted through your bank. The PAAR determines your actual duty and is issued at the prevailing customs exchange rate.
Product conformity - SONCAP
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) requires many manufactured goods - including batteries and electrical equipment - to hold a SONCAP certificate:
- Your Chinese supplier obtains a Product Certificate (PC) - often involving inspection by an authorised agency
- Before shipment, the SC (Shipment Certificate) is issued on the basis of the PC
- Without both, the cargo will not clear Nigerian customs
Two details importers often miss
- Electrical standards: Nigeria is 230V / 50Hz. Equipment must be rated for this or conformity assessment will fail.
- Origin marking: packaging must show MADE IN CHINA. Shipments marked otherwise can be refused.
We handle all of the above through our partner clearance agents in Lagos. If you prefer to clear customs yourself, we will supply the full document set and hand over to your broker.
Shipping batteries to Nigeria
Nigeria is one of Africa's fastest-growing markets for solar and battery energy storage - driven by grid reliability issues and the growth of solar. Batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods, and Nigeria adds its own compliance layer on top.
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| UN 38.3 Test Summary | Mandatory. Issued by a CNAS-accredited lab, valid for one year. Without it, Chinese export customs will not release the cargo |
| MSDS / SDS | Mandatory safety data sheet for the battery chemistry |
| Correct UN number | UN3480 (standalone), UN3481 (in equipment), UN3536 (containerised storage system) |
| UN-approved packaging | Class 9 labels, UN numbers, lithium battery mark; terminals insulated |
| Air freight limit | Lithium-ion batteries shipped alone must be at 30% state of charge or less; some lithium metal batteries cannot fly |
| HS classification | Lithium-ion batteries generally fall under HS 8507 |
| SONCAP | Batteries and electrical equipment typically require PC + SC |
| Voltage | Systems must be rated 230V / 50Hz for the Nigerian market |
What we do for you:
- Check your supplier's UN 38.3 and MSDS before booking
- Advise on packaging and labelling that will be accepted
- Book DG capacity with carriers that accept Class 9
- Prepare and submit the customs documentation, including SONCAP coordination
- Deliver to your site - including inland destinations
Commonly shipped together: inverters, solar panels, charge controllers, battery racks and cables. We consolidate these with your batteries under one booking.
FCL or LCL - which should you choose?
Choose FCL (full container) when:
- You have enough cargo to fill roughly 70% of a container or more
- Your goods are heavy or dense
- You want faster transit and less handling - the container is not deconsolidated
- Your cargo includes batteries, where handling is better kept to a minimum
Choose LCL (shared container) when:
- Your shipment is under about 15 CBM
- You are testing a new product line or shipping small replenishments
- Cash flow matters more than transit time
Worth checking: for LCL, compare the total cost including consolidation, CFS handling, deconsolidation and destination charges - not just the per-CBM figure. As volumes grow, FCL often becomes cheaper per unit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Nigeria take?
Sea freight is typically 35-45 days port to port to Lagos; air freight 5-10 days. Add time for customs clearance and inland delivery. Door-to-door timelines depend on your documents being complete.
Do I need Form M?
Yes - for formal imports, Form M must be opened through your bank before the goods are shipped. If you use our DDP service, we arrange clearance through our own channels, so you do not process Form M individually.
What is PAAR and why does it matter?
The Pre-Arrival Assessment Report is issued by Nigeria Customs before your cargo arrives and determines the duty you pay. Without it, your cargo can be flagged for full physical examination, attracting penalties and storage.
Can you ship lithium batteries to Nigeria?
Yes, subject to UN 38.3 and MSDS documentation and compliant packaging. Tell us the UN number and we will confirm carrier acceptance before booking.
Can you deliver outside Lagos?
Yes. We deliver to Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and other inland destinations as part of a door-to-door booking.
How do I get a quote?
Send us the cargo details: product, volume or weight, origin city in China, destination in Nigeria, and whether you want port-to-port or door-to-door. We will reply with a written quotation.