LIST OF PROHIBITED ITEMS FOR IMPORTATION IN NIGERIA AND THEIR HS CODES

Prohibited items for importation are items that are forbidden by law to be imported into Nigeria. These are commodities that are marked as contraband and any importation of such commodities or goods by an importer is treated as violation of law and order of the country. Nigeria import prohibited items are sometimes mistaken for items marked not valid for foreign exchange.  

List of items that are prohibited for importation in Nigeria and their Hs codes includes;  

1. Live or Dead Birds including Frozen Poultry – H.S. Codes 0105.1100 – 0105.9900, 0106.3100 – 0106.3900, 0207.1100 – 0207.3600 and 0210.9900 

2. Pork, Beef – H.S. Codes 0201.1000 – 0204.5000, 0206.1000 – 0206.9000, 0210.1000 – 0210.2000.

3. Birds Eggs – H.S. Code 0407.0000; excluding hatching eggs

4. Refined Vegetable Oils and Fats – H.S. Code 1507.1000.00 – 1516.2000.29 (but excluding refined Linseed, Castor and Olive oils. Crude vegetable oil is however NOT banned from importation).

5. Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form containing added flavoring or coloring matter - H.S. Code 1701.91.1000 - 1701.99.9000 in retail packs.

6. Cocoa Butter, Powder and Cakes – H.S. Codes 1802.00.0000 – 1803.20000, 1805.001000 - 1805.00.9000, 1806.10.0000 – 1806.20.0000 and 1804.00.0000.

7. Spaghetti/Noodles – H.S. Codes 1902.1100 – 1902.30.0000.

8. Fruit Juice in Retail Packs – H.S. Codes 2009.11.0012 - 2009.11.0013 – 2009.9000.99

9. Waters, including Mineral Waters and Aerated Waters containing added Sugar or Sweetening Matter or Flavored, ice snow – H.S. Codes 2201.1000 – 2201.90.00, other non-alcoholic beverages H.S. Code 2202.10.00 - 2202.9000.99 [ but excluding energy or Health Drinks {Liquid Dietary Supplements} e.g. Power Horse, Red Ginseng etc.] H.S. Code 2202.9000.91 and Beer and Stout (Bottled, Canned or Otherwise packed) H.S. Code 2203.0010.00 - 2203.0090.00

10. Bagged Cement – H.S. Code 2523.2900.22.

11. Medicaments falling under the Headings 3003 and 3004 are listed as below:

• Paracetamol Tablets and Syrups
• Cotrimoxazole Tablets Syrups
• Metronidazole Tablets and Syrups
• Chloroquine Tablets and Syrups
• Haematinic Formulations; Ferrous sulphate and Ferrous Gluconate Tablets, Folic Acid Tablets,Vitamin B Complex Tablets(Except Modified Released Formulations) 
•  Aspirin Tablets (except modified released formulation and soluble aspirin). 
•  Magnesium trisilicate tablets and suspensions. 
•  Piperazine tablets and Syrups 
•  Levamisole Tablets and Syrups
• Clotrimazole Cream 
• Ointments – Penecilin|Gentamycin
• Pyrantel Pamoate tablets and Syrups 
•  Intravenous Fluids (Dextrose, Normal Saline, etc.

12. Waste Pharmaceuticals - H.S. Code 3006.9200

13. Soaps and Detergents – H.S. Code 3401.11.1000 – 3402.90.0000 (in retail packs only)

14. Mosquito Repellant Coils – H.S. Code 3808.9110.91 (Mosquito Coils).

15. Rethreaded and used Pneumatic tyres but excluding used trucks tyres for rethreading of sized 11.00 x 20 and above 4012.2010.00.

16. Corrugated Paper and Paper Boards – H.S. Code 4808.1000, and cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper and paper boards H.S. Code 4819.1000, Toilet paper, Cleaning or facial tissue - H.S. Code 4818.1000 - 4818.9000 excluding baby diapers and incontinent pads for adult use 4818.4000.41 and Exercise Books - H.S. Code 4820.2000.

17. Telephone Re-charge Cards and Vouchers – H.S. Code 4911.9990.91

18. Carpets and other Textile floor coverings falling under H.S. Code 5701.10.000 - 5705.00.0000

19. All types of Foot Wears, Bags and Suitcases H.S. Codes 6401.1000.11 – 6405.9000.99 and 4202.1100.10 – 4202.9900.99 (but excluding Safety Shoes used in oil industries, Sports Shoes, canvass shoes all Completely Knocked Down [CKD] blanks and parts)

20. Hollow Glass Bottles of a capacity exceeding 150mls (0.15 liters) of all kinds used for packaging of beverages by breweries and other beverage and drink companies – H.S. Code 7010.9021.29 and 7010.9031.00.

21. Used Compressors – H.S. Code 8414.3000, Used Air Conditioners – H.S. Codes 8415.1000.11 – 8415.9000.99 and Used Fridges/Freezers – H.S. Codes 8418.1000.11 – 8418.69.0000.

22. Used Motor Vehicles above fifteen (15) years from the year of manufacture – H.S. Codes 8703.10.00 – 8703.90

23. Ball Point Pens and parts including refills (excluding tip) H.S. Code 9608.10.0000

24. Tomato paste or concentrate put up for retail sale - 2002100000, 2002902000, 2002909000

 

                                      

 NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BILL OF LADING.

There are a lot of things to weigh out when it comes to the BILL OF LADING, but the extra preparation and homework you put into it at the beginning of the freight shipping process will save you time (and sometimes money) in the long run. 

How much do you know about the inland bill of lading?

Even though it’s a straight forward form, it’s important to understand it and make sure you’re completing it correctly. After all, it may be the only transportation document you fill out as an EXPORTER.

Below, we’ll walk you through what the bill of lading is, what it does, and four significant reasons to use one.

What is the inland bill of lading?

The bill of lading is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the quantity, type, weight, origin and destination of the goods being carried.  It also serves as a receipt issued by the carrier once a shipment is picked up. The bill of lading is not typically consigned to the foreign buyer of the goods. It is more typically consigned to the freight forwarder, the warehouse, the packaging company, another third party in the process, or the international carrier. If it is not immediately consigned to the international carrier, the forwarder or other third party will need to consign it to the carrier once they are identified. The party responsible for completing the bill of lading depends on which Incoterm is used for the terms of the sale.

Why You Should Use Bill of Lading? 

• It’s a receipt for your goods and guarantees you are properly insured.

You need to have a record of what’s included in the shipment, which is what an inland bill of lading provides. The bill of lading describes the items being shipped, where the shipment is going, who’s paying, and how it’s going to get there.

The person who’s picking up the goods signs the bottom of the bill of lading. The signature verifies that what you’re saying is there is actually there. For insurance purposes, it is proof of what’s on board and informs your insurance coverage should your items be damaged in transit.

•  Its evidence of a contract for carriage between the exporter and the carrier.

The bill of lading explains all the details about how the goods are going to be shipped so there’s no doubt about who’s in charge of each step.

•   It ensures your shipments aren’t delayed.

A correctly completed inland bill of lading eliminates any shipment questions or issues. Any mistakes on your inland bill could delay your shipment or, worse yet, delay you getting paid for your shipment.

•  It ensures you get paid for your goods.

More than 10,000 shipping containers are lost annually. Without a correctly completed bill of lading, it is very difficult to get compensated for your loss.

In Conclusion

As with most all export documentation, the thing to remember about the bill of lading is that it needs to be completed correctly. It’s important that all your export documentation is consistent. Depending on what you’re exporting, how you’re shipping it, and what documents your shipment requires, you will probably need to complete documents in a different order.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN NIGERIA. (AIR AND SEA)

Below are 11 tips for clearing your consignment in Nigeria:

1. Prior to shipping, the consignee in Nigeria completes and applies for Form M electronically (Form M is like an import license). This is done online through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) /Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Trade Portal and is then transmitted to his/her bank with the following attachments:

        A.Proforma Invoice

        B. Insurance Certificate

        C. SON Product Certificate/SONCAP (If Required)

2. The Bank approves the Form M and generates a bank code otherwise known as a BA Number, and then sends/transmits the Form M to the Scanning Agent.

3. The Scanning Agent approves the Form M.

4. The Consignee forwards the Form M & BA Numbers to the Shipper. These numbers are to be shown on the Airway Bill/ Bill of Lading (AWB/BL).

5. Once shipped, the shipper provides the AWB/BL to the consignee for the processing of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). The Report shows the duty rate /classification of the cargo. This document guides you while computing the Duty & Taxes.

6. The consignee’s customs agent prepares the Customs Entry and approaches customs for the Customs Assessment Notice.

7. The Consignee or his Customs agent pays custom’s duty at the Bank. The Consignee or Agent pays the Local Charges such as Airline Documentation Fee, Shipping & Terminal Company Local Charges. Other examples include: a. Air freight: NAHCO and SAHCOL Charges b. Sea freight: Port & Cargo, PTML, ENL Terminal, etc.

8. Customs examination is carried out.

9. Customs release and Exit notes are obtained. For Sea freight, Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) is also obtained. For Airfreight shipment, NAHCO/SAHCOL Gate Pass is also obtained.

10. The agent then positions his van/truck to take delivery of the shipment.

11. After loading, the van/truck proceeds to the customs exit gate for security check and final exit.