Send a parcel to Nigeria

When shipping to Nigeria, it is important to keep your eye on the specific requirements the country has established for importing.

Main Country Facts

Nigeria is one of the larger African nations, with more citizens than any other country in Africa. In fact, in total population, Nigeria's 158.2 million citizens rank number seven worldwide. When it comes to the government since Nigeria's 1960 move to independence the country has closely followed the republic model popularized by the United States. The country has both a Senate and House of Representatives. Still, corruption is rampant, a fact that often interferes with fair elections and honest political practices. Nigeria, however, still fights strongly against ethnic and cultural racism that devastates many other African nations. The population of Nigeria is about equally divided between Muslim and Christian religious beliefs. Due to often difficult living conditions, Nigerians regular immigrate to the United States, as well as European countries like the United Kingdom.

Nigeria is a middle-class country and is characterised as an emerging or developing nation. The country is rich in natural resources, has its stock exchange, as well as a reliable communications infrastructure. Nigeria has vast stores of oil and supplies a significant amount of oil to the United States. The US is the country's largest investor, though British companies also invest measurably in Nigeria's economy. A full 40% of Nigeria's GDP is centred around oil production. Other strong industries include telecommunications, financial sectors, natural gas, gold, lead, iron, cocoa, yams, citrus fruit and sugar. Strong manufacturing items include fabric, leather, plastics and automobiles.

Import Restrictions

The Nigeria Customs Administration regulates importation requirements within the country. Nigeria takes a strong stance against smuggling, even offering a hotline for reporting suspected violations. Nigerian officials are also quite clear about items that cannot be shipped or moved into the country. Prohibited items include:

• living or dead birds,


• beef,


• eggs,


• pork,


• pasta,


• bottled water,


• cocoa products,


• refined fats,


• cement powder,


• specific medications,


• ballpoint pens,


• some fabrics and soap.

Nigeria even provides the governing codes that pertain to each category of prohibited items, which can be found at their official website.

Nigeria does not publish a list of items that are restricted. However, it is logical to suspect that, like other nations, there are items that will be harder to send than others. In order to determine what these items are, it may be necessary to contact the Nigeria Customs Administration. What is clear is that there are definite requirements for importation, including forms that will need to be filled out before you can ship your goods. Importation forms will ask for specific items that are included in your shipment, as well as the value, weight and origin. Preparing the forms should help you determine whether any items are restricted.

Useful Information

While the country's religious groups coexist in a largely peaceful way, the Muslim and Christian populations are mostly segregated. If your package is being delivered to northern Nigeria, the recipient is likely Muslim, while southern Nigerians are mostly Christian. When doing business with Nigerians, social niceties are appreciated, including enquiring after their personal health and well-being. The family is very important to Nigerian society. When shipping gifts, it's nice to know that food is widely appreciated and culturally appropriate.

Of course, we have our restrictions of what items can be shipped, but Nigeria has its own list, which can be found here. They include cocoa butter, spaghetti, fruit juice, mosquito repellent coils and hollow glass bottles, but check the current list to be sure.