SUMMARY
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is an independent republic within the Commonwealth, on the west coast of Africa. Associated with the EC through the Lome Convention.
Capital:
Abuja.Port(s):
Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri.Population:
126,635,626.International Country Code:
Nigeria — NGLANGUAGE(S)
English, Hausa, Ibo.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Metric system.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
Domestic: 230V AC 50Hz, Industrial: 400V AC 50Hz.
CURRENCY(-IES)
1 naira = 100 kobos.
EXCHANGE RATE
206.92 naira = £1 sterling (fluctuating rate).
INTERNATIONAL DIRECT DIALLING CODE(S)
00 234.
TIME
1 hour ahead of GMT (same as BST).
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1 Jan; 1 May; 1 Oct; Dec 25, 26, in addition the following, which have variable dates: Prophet’s Birthday, Eid Al Fitr; Eid Al Adha; Good Friday; Easter Monday.
ENQUIRIES
High Commission for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria House, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX. Tel: 020 7839 1244, fax: 020 7839 8746; open 9.30-5.30; closed Sats. Consular Section: 56/57 Fleet Street, London EC4. Tel: 020 7353 3776.
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
Dangote House, Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja. Tel: 00 234 9 413 4559, fax: 00 234 9 413 4565. British Deputy High Commission: 11 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, (Private Mail Bag 12136), Lagos. Tel: 00 234 1 2619531/37/41/43/66/88, fax: 00 234 1 2614021, e-mail: chancery@lagos.mail.fco.gov.uk
CHAMBER(S) OF COMMERCE
Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Ebani House Complex, 149/153 Broad Street, PO Box 109, Lagos. Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1389, Ealing, London W5 1ZX. Tel: 020 8354 2137, fax: 020 8810 5509.
British-Nigeria Business Council, 2 Vincent Street, London SW1P 4LD. Tel: 020 7828 9661, fax: 020 7828 9779.
IMPORT RESTRICTIONS
Import licences are not required but a system of pre-shipment inspection is in operation (see Special Certificates(s) below). All imports into Nigeria must be accompanied by a Manufacturer’s Certificate, confirming the standards used in the production of the goods.
The following imports are banned: maize, sorghum, millet, wheat flour, vegetable oils (excluding linseed and castor oils used as industrial raw materials), gypsum, mosquito repellent coils, used tyres, gaming machine, used clothing, used fridges and air-conditioning units, used compressors, bagged cement, vehicles more than eight-years-old, printed fabrics, frozen poultry, cassava and cassava products, fruit juice in retail packs, table water, tooth picks, spaghetti and noodles, biscuits, drugs and other related products through land borders, vehicles of any kind through land borders and textiles through land border.
A full list of Import Prohibitions can be accessed on the Nigerian Customs website: www.nigeriacustoms.org (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
)
)EXCHANGE CONTROL
The Nigerian government has now implemented most of the IMF’S recommendations. The two-tier exchange rate has been abolished and the Central Bank of Nigeria is now operating a market-determined policy. Many imports are still covered by letter of credit procedures though it is no longer mandatory the PSI Form M being used to request foreign currency.
BILL(S) OF LADING
No special regulations, but ensure gross weights and measurements in metric units are shown. May be made out “to order” but must show party to be notified. Must show full address (not just PO Box No.) of consignee and/or notify party.
Two non-negotiable copy B/L are required for exchange control purposes.
CONSULAR INVOICE(S)
None.
CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN
In prescribed form for all goods, irrespective of origin. Forms: Combined Certificate of Value and of Origin forms, on the back of which invoices are printed, as prescribed. (For prices, see Formecon advert under Export Invoice Forms and Mandatory Certificates of Origin). Customs require two sets of original and duplicate plus any copies required for exchange control or other purposes.
COMMERCIAL INVOICES
Combined with C/VO. Forms: Combined Certificate of Value and of Origin forms, on the back of which invoices are printed, as prescribed. (For prices, see Formecon advert under Export Invoice Forms and Mandatory Certificates of Origin). Users of SITPRO systems can produce the declaration using mini overlays in conjunction with Overlay Ref 380-1. The following details are required: full name and address of manufacturer, supplier or exporter as applicable, full name and address of the importer, importer’s order number, unit and total prices of the goods; weights and measurements in metric units; packing; freight; commissions (confirming, buying, etc); charges and total FOB and C&F (which should be shown as CFR (Incoterms) unless L/C states the old form) prices. If invoice does not give full packing details, a separate packing list must be provided.
Facsimile signatures are accepted by Customs on copies only. Original and duplicates must be manually signed.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATE(S)
Pre-shipment Inspection
Exports to Nigeria are subject to pre-shipment inspection (PSI) by Cotecna International Ltd. Enquiries should be directed to Cotecna’s Nigeria Help Desk, tel: 020 8277 7800.
Goods exempt from PSI include: precious stones; gold; objects of art; explosives; arms, weapons and ammunition; perishable goods, including live animals and human organs; crude oil; used motor vehicles. The importer must obtain a Form M from the Central Bank of Nigeria which must be re-presented with a proforma invoice and certificate of insurance. If the inspection is successful the PSI agent will issue a Clean Report of Inspection (CRI) if not a Discrepancy Report (DRI) is issued. The exporter will not receive these reports but a security label will be affixed to the invoices to prove to the Nigerian authorities that PSI has taken place. Note: Pre-shipment inspection requirements are subject to change and, if in doubt, exporters are advised to check with the relevant inspection agency named above or alternatively, their customer. It has been reported that PSI will be replaced by Destination Inspection in Nigeria.
Other Certificates
Brandy, rum, whisky and pot-still gin imports require Certificate of Age and Origin (minimum three years), as issued by HM Customs. Certificate of health required for dogs, cats and certain live birds and their eggs. Combined Certificate of Manufacture and Free Sale required for food and drinks endorsed by DEFRA, tel: 020 7270 8080; cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medicines endorsed by the Medical Control Agency at the Department of Health, tel: 020 7273 0601; Combined Certificate of Manufacture and Free Sale for cosmetics and toiletries endorsed by the DTI, tel: 01642 364307 (contacts, Louise Walsh and Pat McArtie): chemicals and pesticides endorsed by the DTI, tel: 020 7215 5000. Original document required on initial shipment, thereafter photocopies may be used. A Manufacturer’s Certificate is also required (see Import Restrictions above).
INSURANCE
Insurance can be effected in the UK or Nigeria.
MARKING OF GOODS
No special regulations but the length in centimetres must be stamped on piece goods, and where weights and measurements are stated on any goods they should be in metric units only.
PACKING MATERIAL
Hay, straw or any vegetable material is prohibited. The hot and humid climate should be considered when preparing shipments for this area.
PACKING LIST
A packing list is recommended to assist Customs clearance containing marks, weights and dimensions and content details. No specific form required though generally should be in two copies.
MARKING OF CASES
No special regulations but show both weights and measurements in metric units only.
SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS
Grimaldi Lines; Baco Liner; Safmarine Container Lines; Mediterranean Shipping Company; West-Afrika Linien-Dienste.
AIR FREIGHT
Nigeria Airways; British Airways World Cargo; Virgin Atlantic.
POSTAL PARCELS
Parcel Post shipments exempt from pre-shipment inspection requirements. Parcels intended for delivery through a bank should bear address of bank with the name only of the ultimate consignee in brackets under the address.
SAMPLES
No special regulations; samples of no commercial value are not dutiable. Temporary imports may be allowed entry into Nigeria under a Temporary Admission procedure as long as it is supported by a Bank Bond. It is recommended that this is sorted out by the importer.
BANK(S)
First Bank of Nigeria; National Bank of Nigeria; New Nigeria Bank; African Continental Bank; United Bank for Africa; Union Bank of Nigeria.
DUTIES
Assessed at ad valorem on the cif value. Tariff is based on the Harmonised System (HS) (see Customs Nomenclatures in Terminology). Information on the standard rates of Customs duty and taxes can be found on the EU Market Access Database page “Applied Tariffs Database” http://mkaccbd.eu.int. In addition, imports are also subject to 5% VAT and 7% port charge on the duty paid value. Preferential treatment is granted to certain goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) nations, the members being Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Nigeria is a member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
UK REGULATIONS
All goods must be declared to Customs on leaving the EC (generally arranged by the freight forwarder/carrier). This may be under a simplified post-entry procedure though certain goods must be declared prior to export (pre-entry). Pre-entry applies to all goods subject to Export Controls (ie covered by an export licence — SIEL, OGEL or OIEL), or otherwise controlled under Customs regulations (see Pre-entry in Customs Entry under Customs Procedures). NES — the computer export declaration — is used for all exports out of the UK.
Export Controls: Certain classes of goods are controlled under National and EC Regulations. Examples are military goods and dual-use technology. These are listed on www.dti.gov.uk website (Link to an external site - Disclaimer )under Export Control. Other goods not listed in the statutory instruments may be controlled if their end-use involves chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or the means of delivering them. Subscribers are recommended to seek advice from the DTI Export Control Organisation Help line 020 7215 8070.
)under Export Control. Other goods not listed in the statutory instruments may be controlled if their end-use involves chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or the means of delivering them. Subscribers are recommended to seek advice from the DTI Export Control Organisation Help line 020 7215 8070.DFDS Transport (UK) Ltd
Freight forwarder
Andy Parsons
020 8577 3267
020 8577 6864
andy.parsons@dfdstransport.co.uk
www.dfdstransport.co.uk
Unit 1, Lakeside Industrial Estate, Lakeside Road, Colnbrook, Berkshire SL3 0ED
All African ports
Regular
Express Point Ltd
Global logistics
Len Starling
0118 931 3441
0118 931 3441
sales@expresspoint.co.uk
www.expresspoint.co.uk
Howick, Shinfield Road, Reading, Berkshire RG2 9BE
Lagos, Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt
Weekly
This information was taken from Croner's Reference Book for Exporters.
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