🇰🇪 Kenya → 🇳🇬 Nigeria
AfCFTA
Compliance path
Kenya-Nigeria trade is the largest intra-African air-cargo lane in East-West Africa. Both are AfCFTA founding members. Kenyan exports: tea, fresh-cut flowers, processed food, pharmaceuticals (Cosmos), tobacco. Nigerian exports: oil products, cocoa, leather, fertilisers. Nigeria VAT 7.5%, ECOWAS Common External Tariff (5% baseline, 20% peak), plus PAAR pre-arrival assessment requirement. Air freight is the only practical mode (Kenya Airways KQ + Nigerian Airways routes); 6-8 hours plus customs. Maritime via Mombasa-Lagos rare due to lack of direct services.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from Kenya to Nigeria?
Travellers entering Nigeria from Kenya are subject to Nigeria's personal allowances and declaration rules. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 1 L
- Cigarette allowance: 200
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 300
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 10000
2. Can I post goods from Kenya to Nigeria?
Parcels move through Nigeria's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 7 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Postal imports are cleared by NIPOST / NCS at the International Mail Processing Centre. Items on the CBN prohibition list cannot be cleared by post under any circumstance. Pharmaceutical mail shipments require a NAFDAC certificate.
3. Can I import commercially from Kenya to Nigeria?
Yes. Commercial importers into Nigeria need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
Originating goods qualify for AfCFTA preferential duty — often 0% — provided rules-of-origin criteria are met. Nigeria levies 7.5% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: No published personal-import de minimis.
Nigeria does not publish a personal-import de minimis threshold; all commercial consignments clear through SON/CBN-linked documentation regardless of value. Personal-effects returning-resident exemptions exist under the Customs Act but require residence proof.
5. FTA + rules of origin
AfCFTA is in force on this lane. To claim preferential duty, the goods must meet the agreement's rules of origin (typically a regional value content threshold or a tariff-shift test) and the importer must hold a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration.
See: All FTAs
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Certificate of Origin or origin declaration to claim AfCFTA preference.
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Nigeria.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
No prohibited or restricted items flagged in the top-items list for this lane. Still verify any sensitive cargo against the official customs authority.
Generally restricted categories into Nigeria:
- Firearms and ammunition (Ministry of Interior permit required)
- Pharmaceuticals (NAFDAC registration or personal-prescription exception)
- Telecommunications equipment (NCC type approval)
- Agricultural produce (NAFDAC / quarantine inspection)
- Cultural property (National Commission for Museums and Monuments permit for antiques and artefacts)
- Used vehicles (age cap; 2015 or newer for most categories)
9. Official sources
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) — destination customs authority.
- Kenya Revenue Authority — Customs & Border Control — origin customs authority.
- Nigeria country profile — full source panel and rule index.
- FTA registry — search for AfCFTA.
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from Kenya to Nigeria as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from Kenya entering Nigeria are subject to Nigeria's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 1 L. Cigarette allowance: 200. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 300. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from Kenya to Nigeria?
Yes — parcels move through Nigeria's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 7 days. De minimis: No published personal-import de minimis. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from Kenya to Nigeria?
Yes. Commercial imports into Nigeria require an importer of record, customs declaration via Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. AfCFTA preferential duty is available if origin requirements are met.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Originating goods qualify for AfCFTA preferential rates (often 0%). Nigeria levies 7.5% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below No published personal-import de minimis.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
Yes — to claim AfCFTA preferential duty, the consignment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration meeting the agreement's rules-of-origin criteria. Without it, MFN duty applies.
What is Nigeria's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Nigeria must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.