Every shipment to Nigeria needs three things: a written contents list, your identification, and the recipient's full name, address and phone number. Vehicles add the V5C and SONCAP, medicines add a prescription, and commercial goods add invoices and agency registration.
Paperwork is where shipments get stuck. Not because it is complicated — for an ordinary family barrel it is genuinely short — but because a contents list that does not match the barrel will hold everything up while somebody sorts it out. Here is what to have ready.
Every shipment
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Contents list | What is in the shipment, item by item, with rough values |
| Your identification | Photo ID for the sender |
| Recipient details | Full name, delivery address, state, and a phone number that is answered |
| Declared value | An honest total — this is what duty and any cover are based on |
That is the whole requirement for a normal personal shipment. We prepare the clearance documentation itself as part of door-to-door service — what we need from you is that the information behind it is accurate.
Extra paperwork, by shipment type
Vehicles
- V5C logbook — the registration document
- Proof of purchase — invoice or receipt
- SONCAP compliance — see our SONCAP guide
- Confirmation of manufacture year — vehicles over 12 years old cannot be imported at all (why this matters)
Medicines
- A copy of the prescription, in the patient's name
- Original labelled packaging — never send medicines loose or decanted
- Note that many common tablets are prohibited imports regardless of paperwork — check first
Commercial goods
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Agency registration where it applies — NAFDAC for food, drugs and cosmetics; SON for regulated products
- Business details for the importer in Nigeria
Declaring value honestly
It is tempting to write a low number and hope for a smaller duty bill. Two reasons not to. First, Customs assess value independently, so the declaration mostly determines whether they trust the rest of your paperwork. Second, any cover on the shipment is based on the declared value — under-declare and you have quietly insured your goods for less than they are worth.
Before it leaves your hands
- Photograph the contents as you pack, and the sealed barrel or box.
- Keep a copy of the contents list and any invoices.
- Check the recipient's name matches their identification exactly.
- Confirm the delivery address and state, and a working phone number.
- Tell us about anything unusual, valuable or restricted before collection.
If you are unsure what your particular shipment needs, ask us before you pack. Sorting paperwork in advance is straightforward; sorting it while a container sits at Apapa is not.
Common questions
What documents do I need to ship to Nigeria?
For a normal personal shipment: a contents list, your identification, and the recipient's full name, address and phone number in Nigeria. Vehicles, medicines and commercial goods each need extra paperwork on top — the sections above cover which.
Do I need to list everything in my barrel?
Yes, and it is worth doing properly. A clear contents list speeds clearance, supports any insurance claim, and settles questions later about what was inside. Write it as you pack rather than trying to remember afterwards.
Who prepares the customs paperwork?
We do the clearance documentation as part of door-to-door service. What we need from you is accurate information — the contents, the values, and the recipient details. Everything downstream depends on those being right.
What happens if my paperwork is wrong?
At best clearance slows down while it is corrected. At worst the shipment is held and charges accrue. Almost every delay we see on this route traces back to a contents list that did not match the box, so accuracy genuinely pays.
Do I need to declare the value of my goods?
Yes. Declare honestly — under-declaring to reduce duty is the single most common cause of a shipment being held, and Customs assess value independently anyway. An honest declaration also protects any insurance cover.
Does the recipient in Nigeria need anything?
Usually just valid identification matching the name on the shipment, and a phone they answer. Make sure the name you give us is the name on their ID — mismatches cause avoidable delays at delivery.