Sea Freight from China to Nigeria

Bilateral trade between China and Nigeria is valued at tens of billions of dollars on an annual basis, demonstrating a robust and evolving commercial relationship. China exports a wide variety of items to Nigeria through its developing industry and relatively increasing consumer market, including items such as electronics, machinery, textiles, and consumer goods.

For businesses that import these products, Sea Freight from China to Nigeria is an affordable and trustworthy option. Businesses can ship large volumes from major Chinese ports, such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, to ports in Nigeria, such as Lagos, with careful planning and professional logistics to clear customs and deliver in a timely manner.

Why select ocean freight from China to Nigeria?

Ocean freight continues to be the cheapest way to move bulk goods, but relatively speaking, air freight has a stronger comparative advantage when businesses have large quantities of goods to ship. Ocean freight is a better choice for smaller businesses, as well as larger importers, when looking to consolidate their logistics and expenses.

China to Nigeria Sea Freight Prices (Sept 2025 - Latest Range)

Notes:

FCL (Full Container Load): Cost-effective for large shipments.

LCL (Less than Container Load): Flexible for small shipments, cost per cubic meter.

Transit time may vary due to port congestion or season.

Main departure and arrival ports

Major Ports of Departure in China

Shanghai Port – The world's busiest container port, with routes connecting to major ports in Africa.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port – Enjoys a prime location, ideal for bulk cargo transportation.

Qingdao Port – A key port in northern China, handling machinery and industrial products.

Yantian Port (Shenzhen) – A major export port in southern China, with frequent flights.

Nansha Port (Guangzhou) – A core port in the Pearl River Delta, serving import and export freight needs.

Major Ports of Arrival in Nigeria

Apapa Port (Lagos) – Nigeria's largest and busiest container port.

Tincan Island Port (Lagos) – Along with Apapa Port, it handles large volumes of container and vehicle traffic.

Port Harcourt – A major port in the southeast, serving oil and bulk cargo transportation.

Calabar Port – Covers eastern Nigeria and is suitable for regional cargo transportation.

Warri Port – Primarily handles imports and exports of oil and industrial products.

Shipping time and routes

Generally, 30–40 days would be the time frame for a full container load (FCL), with less than container load (LCL) shipments taking a little longer. Shipping times vary due to seasonal factors related to demand, piled-up ship schedules at the discharge port, and overall port congestion. Given the nature of the sea cargo services to Nigeria, flexibility of time is vital.

Major shipping routes from China to Nigeria

Shanghai/Ningbo ➝ Singapore ➝ Dubai ➝ Durban ➝ Lagos

Shenzhen/Guangzhou ➝ Port Klang ➝ Colombo ➝ Sohar ➝ Lagos

Qingdao/Tianjin ➝ Busan/Kobe ➝ Singapore ➝ Cape Town/Durban ➝ Lagos

Xiamen/Fuzhou ➝ Singapore ➝ Malaysia (Penang) ➝ UAE (Jebel Ali) ➝ Lagos

Dalian/Lianyungang ➝ South Korea (Pusan) ➝ Singapore ➝ Sri Lanka (Colombo) ➝ South Africa (Durban) ➝ Lagos

Shanghai ➝ Singapore ➝ Colombo ➝ Jebel Ali ➝ Port Harcourt

Shenzhen ➝ Port Klang ➝ Colombo ➝ Durban ➝ Calabar

Qingdao ➝ Busan ➝ Singapore ➝ Sohar ➝ Warri

Ningbo ➝ Singapore ➝ Jebel Ali ➝ Durban ➝ Onne Port

Ocean Freight Cost Structure: Shipping from China to Nigeria

Sea freight rates from China to Nigeria are influenced by factors such as oil prices, exchange rates, shipping space availability, and peak season demand. When budgeting, importers should consider not only the base freight rate but also customs clearance fees, port charges, and insurance costs to fully assess their overall shipping expenses.

Cost for Shipping Container Sizes:20ft vs 40ft container

The container itself represents a large portion of the overall freight costs. For 2025, the estimated ocean freight costs from major ports in China, like Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Ningbo to Lagos or Port Harcourt are stated as follows:

Twenty Foot Container Load (FCL): $1,200 to $1,800.

Forty-foot Container Load (FCL): $2,100 to $3,000.

These rates for sea shipping from China to Nigeria are subject to seasonal demand, overall cargo volume, and carrier availability. Businesses with smaller consignments often find the Less-Than-Container Load (LCL) service a cost-effective choice, with pricing calculated per cubic meter (CBM); this typically ranges from $70 to $120 per CBM.

Bunker Air Freight (BAF)

On China to Nigeria sea transport routes, carriers implement a bunker adjustment factor (BAF) to offset volatile fuel costs. This surcharge generally ranges from $150 to $250 for a 20-foot container and $250 to $400 for a 40-foot container. The BAF is updated monthly, influenced by global fuel price trends and indices provided by external energy consultants.

Insurance Costs

Marine cargo insurance insures your shipments against loss or damage in transit. Standard insurance rates for ocean cargo are typically around 0.3% to 0.6% of cargo value. For higher-value shipments, insurance may always be slightly higher, and with good justification. Although some of those costs may shift the thinking of purchasing insurance, a shipping company would prefer the peace of mind in having insurance in place for goods they are moving across the ocean to West Africa.

Other Common Costs

In addition to the above, shipping from China to Nigeria often includes several other fees:

Port Charges: Terminal handling charges (THC) at both origin and destination, usually USD 150 – 300 per container.

Customs Clearance Fees: Local Nigerian customs and documentation fees, often USD 100 – 200 per shipment.

Documentation Fees: Bills of lading, export/import documentation, typically USD 50 – 100.

Demurrage / Storage Fees: If containers are not picked up on time, charges accrue USD 50 – 100 per day.

Inland Transportation: Trucking from Nigerian ports to final destinations adds USD 200 – 500, depending on distance.

Air freight from China to Nigeria

Shipping goods from China to Nigeria via air freight has become increasingly efficient, catering to businesses that require speed and reliability. As trade grows between the two countries, understanding the latest rates and factors affecting cost is crucial for importers.

The latest air freight prices from China to Nigeria (September 2025)

Note: Rates fluctuate based on fuel surcharges, seasonal demand, and cargo type. Additional charges such as customs clearance, security fees, and insurance may apply.

Air freight is ideal for time-sensitive goods such as electronics, fashion items, and perishable products. Compared with ocean shipping, it offers shorter transit times, typically 3–7 days from China to major Nigerian airports.

Nigerian Customs Information Guide: What You Need to Know for Importing Goods

The Nigerian Customs Service is mainly responsible for regulating goods imported and exported into Nigeria, collecting and remitting duties, and enforcing anti-smuggling laws. Its regulatory policies are based on the provisions of the Customs and Excise Tariff, trade liberalization policies, and agreements reached by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Understanding these policies will assist importers in planning the cost of their imports.

Nigeria Import Duties & Taxes Overview

Cost Calculation Example:

Total import cost = CIF value + freight + insurance

Duty payable = Total import cost × tariff rate

VAT payable = (Total import cost + Duty payable) × 7.5%

Prohibited and Restricted Items in Nigeria

When arranging sea shipping from China to Nigeria, it is essential to note that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) strictly regulates the import of certain restricted commodities. A clear understanding of these prohibitions and requirements can help prevent potential clearance delays, financial penalties, or even seizure of your cargo.

Prohibited Imports:

Counterfeit Goods: Counterfeit brand electronics, handbags, clothing, or shoes.

Hazardous Chemicals: Toxic substances, flammable chemicals, or banned pesticides.

Certain Pharmaceuticals: Prescription medications without proper authorization.

Obscene Materials: Pornographic or related media.

Restricted Imports:

Pharmaceuticals: Antibiotics, painkillers, vaccines—require an import permit and approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Cosmetics: Skincare products, perfumes—must comply with local standards and require a license.

Food: Processed foods, dairy products, meat require a health certificate.

Chemicals: Industrial chemicals or laboratory reagents—require safety approval and relevant documentation.

Attempting to import prohibited or restricted items without proper documentation may result in fines, confiscation, or legal action. Always ensure that licenses and approvals are obtained before shipment.

Overview of the Customs Clearance Process

Goods arrive at the port or airport

Submit necessary documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, import license, etc.

Customs review, possibly inspection, or sampling

Pay duties and other fees

Receive a release and collect goods

Typically, customs clearance for small shipments can be completed within 3-7 days, while larger shipments may take 7-14 days. Using an experienced freight forwarder like VIP Logistics can significantly improve efficiency.

Cooperate with VIPU Logistics

Sea freight from China to Nigeria is one of the most cost-effective transportation methods for cross-border trade, but customs clearance, timeliness, and shipping routes often present challenges for businesses. Finding a reliable partner is crucial for ensuring the smooth arrival of your shipments.

With years of operational experience, Vipu Logistics safely and efficiently delivers cargo to major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, Kaduna, Benin City, and Onitsha. Partnering with Vipu Logistics ensures safer and faster shipping, giving you greater confidence as you expand into the Nigerian market.