Cheapest way to ship from China to Nigeria

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Shipping to Nigeria

What is the cheapest way to ship to Nigeria?

Shipping to Nigeria can seem expensive and take a long time, but this doesn’t have to be true. We’ve used the example of shipping from China to Nigeria to help you find the most affordable shipping rates. We’ve ranked services based on estimated prices from various shipping methods. We’ve also considered how long it takes to arrive, the tracking options, and the quality of the service. This will help you find the best international shipping options.

Shipping ModePrice RangeTransit TimeBest For
LCL (Less than Container Load)$30 to $60 per cubic meter30 to 45 daysSmall shipments not filling a full container
FCL (Full Container Load) – 20ft Container$4,700 (Apapa) – $4,750 (Tincan)30 to 45 daysLarge shipments requiring an entire container
FCL (Full Container Load) – 40ft Container$5,800 (Apapa) – $5,900 (Tincan)30 to 45 daysLarge shipments requiring an entire container
Express Shipping$5 to $10 per kilogram3 to 5 daysUrgent small packages
Air Freight$8.3 per kilogram5 to 10 daysHigh-value, time-sensitive goods

Key factors to consider

  • Size and weight of goods: If the goods are lightweight or small in Size, LCL (less than container load) may be the most economical option. FCL (full container load) is more appropriate if the goods are larger.
  • Shipping time: Although Sea Freight is cheap, the transit time is longer. Usually, the shipping time from China to Nigeria is between 30 and 45 days. If you have high timeliness requirements, you can consider other shipping methods, but the cost will be relatively higher.
  • Customs duties and import taxes: You must know about Nigeria’s import duties and taxes. Nigeria has relatively high import duties, so these costs must be considered.
  • Nature of the goods: If your goods are perishable or require special handling (e.g. refrigeration), you may need to choose Air Freight or a specialist logistics company to provide the service, although this will increase the shipping costs.

Best Practices for Shipping to Nigeria

Know the shipping costs in advance

With hongocean freight forwarding, you can work with multiple shipping companies and take advantage of their pre-negotiated preferential rates. These discounted prices can help you significantly reduce international shipping costs, especially for businesses, which can dramatically reduce overall shipping costs, bringing considerable economic benefits to your business.

You can refer to: How much is shipping from China to Canada?

Plan around national holidays

When scheduling urgent packages, consider the impact of public holidays on shipping. For example, public holidays such as Christmas, Easter and Independence Day in Nigeria may cause shipping delays. Planning and avoiding peak holiday periods can help prevent unnecessary delays.

Accuracy of customs documents

When shipping to Nigeria or other countries, ensure customs documents are filled out accurately. This includes important information such as the value of the goods, description of the goods, and country of origin. Any errors or omissions on customs forms may result in customs clearance delays or even additional fees. Preparing and ensuring all documents are in order can help avoid unnecessary trouble.

Choosing the best freight forwarder

Choosing an experienced freight forwarder is crucial to ensuring a smooth shipping process. A professional freight forwarder can help you with customs clearance and recommend the most suitable shipping method based on the type of goods and shipping needs. In addition, the freight forwarder can also help you save shipping costs by choosing the right shipping route, container type, etc.

You may want to know: How to Choose Best Freight Forwarder China to US

Understand the Nigerian port situation

Nigeria’s main ports include Lagos Port, Apapa Port and Kano Port. Understanding these ports’ handling capacity and possible congestion can help you make more informed shipping decisions. If congestion is a problem at a particular port, you can choose another port or arrange a different shipping route.

Prepare the required documents

In international freight transport, ensuring that you have all the necessary export and import documents is crucial. Common documents include

These documents not only form the basis for legal customs clearance but also help ensure the safety and insurance coverage of the goods.

You may want to know: What documents do I need for international shipping?

Understanding the customs clearance process

Customs clearance is critical to international shipping, especially in countries like Nigeria. The customs clearance process in Nigeria can be complex, so it is essential to ensure that all documents are complete and accurate. Working with a professional customs clearance agent can significantly reduce potential delays in the customs clearance process, ensuring that goods pass through customs smoothly and arrive at their destination on time.

Ensure safe delivery

Choose a shipping company that provides comprehensive tracking and reliable customer support to ensure the safe delivery of your goods. High-quality service and a robust tracking system, like the one offered by Hongocean international freight forwarders, will give you real-time access to the status of your shipment and ensure that it arrives safely and on time.

Shipping from China to Nigeria

How to calculate shipping costs

Before calculating shipping costs, you usually need to consider the following factors:

Cargo-related factors

  • Cargo weight: Calculated based on the actual weight (Gross Weight) or the volumetric weight (Volumetric Weight, commonly used formula is length × width × height ÷ 5000 or 6000), whichever is greater.
  • Cargo volume: Large items may be charged by volume.
  • Type of goods: The shipping cost will be affected by whether the goods are dangerous, refrigerated, or other special items.
  • Value of goods: High-value goods may require additional insurance.

Shipping Method

Sea Freight:

  • Suitable for large quantities of goods with lower time requirements.
  • The cost includes basic shipping fees, port fees, fuel surcharges, etc.

Air Freight:

  • Suitable for small quantities and time-sensitive goods.
  • Charged by volume weight, with higher surcharges.

International express delivery

Suitable for small items such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.

Origin and destination

  • Distance: Long-distance transport is more expensive.
  • Trade agreements: Some countries have preferential tariff or freight policies.

Customs clearance fees

  • Import duties: Determined based on the declared value of the goods, the tax rate and the type of goods.
  • Customs handling fees include fees for services such as customs clearance and documentation.

Additional fees

  • Fuel surcharge (FSC)
  • War zone surcharge (WSC)
  • Peak season surcharge (PSS)
  • Route-specific surcharges (e.g. Panama Canal fee)

Insurance costs

  • Insuring high-value goods to transfer unforeseen risks during transport to the insurance company is advisable, thus maximising economic benefits. The cost is usually calculated as a percentage (e.g., 0.2%- 0.5%) of the declared value of the goods.

You may want to know: Comprehensive guide to cargo insurance basics

Example of the calculation formula

Air Freight:

  • Total cost = [chargeable weight of goods × unit freight rate] + fuel surcharge + other fees + customs clearance fees + insurance costs.

Sea Freight:

  • Total cost = basic freight + port charges + destination charges + customs clearance fees + insurance costs.

The main factors affecting shipping costs are

Type of goods

Some unique goods (such as electronics, machinery, dangerous goods, food, etc.) may require additional fees or licensing procedures, increasing shipping costs.

Shipping distance and route

Shipping routes vary between different ports in China. The most common route is from major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Guangzhou to the port of Lagos in Nigeria, and shipping costs will vary.

Container occupancy

If containers are in high demand during the shipping process, this may increase freight costs, especially during peak seasons.

Currency exchange rate fluctuations

Currency exchange rate fluctuations between China and Nigeria may impact shipping costs, especially for Air Freight.

Seasonal fluctuations

Certain seasons (such as holidays or specific trading seasons) may increase demand, which in turn pushes up freight costs.

Shipping company and freight forwarder selection

Different shipping companies and freight forwarders offer very different services and prices. It is essential to choose a provider with good service at a reasonable price.

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