How to import paper into Nigeria
Nigeria has the most structured import process in the region — Form M, SONCAP, PAAR. Get them right and it runs smoothly. A practical guide by a French merchant exporting since 1991.
THE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL IMPORT
Importing paper into Nigeria follows clear rules, but they must be respected in order. Here is the mechanism, step by step.
Define exactly what you need
A serious supplier will always ask for: the grade (offset, coated, kraft, board…), the grammage (gsm), the format (reels or sheets, with width or dimensions) and the tonnage. The more precise your request, the faster the offer — and the sharper the price.
Choose your incoterm
The incoterm sets who pays and who is responsible for each leg of the shipment:
- EXW (ex-warehouse): you control everything with your forwarder — often the best goods price.
- FOB (European port): the seller brings and loads the goods at the port; you handle the sea freight.
- CIF (Lagos): the seller also arranges freight and insurance to the Nigerian port.
Open the Form M — before shipment
This is the Nigerian cornerstone: every import needs a Form M, an electronic declaration filed by your authorised dealer bank and validated before the goods ship. No valid Form M, no import.
- SONCAP certificate — conformity certificate from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria for regulated products;
- PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) issued by Customs against the Form M;
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and a Combined Certificate of Value and Origin (CCVO).
Customs: ECOWAS common external tariff
Nigeria applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) — a harmonised duty grid by product category. Paper and board fall under a CET category; your forwarder confirms the exact rate for your reference.
Add VAT on import and the usual levies. There is no automatic zero-duty preferential regime as in the Maghreb, so always price the landed cost duties included.
Transport: the Lagos ports
Nigeria is served mainly through Lagos — Apapa and Tin Can Island — plus Onne and Port Harcourt in the east. A 20-foot container carries 24 to 26 tonnes of paper; weight is the limit, not volume.
Allow for the sea transit plus clearance time, which can be longer at busy Lagos terminals. We give a realistic estimate for your city.
Delivery: check before you sign
On stripping the container, check the condition of reels and pallets, count the units and reconcile against the packing list. Note any reservation immediately on the delivery document so it holds. A supplier who sells on real photos and exact references saves you almost all disputes.
THE REAL LANDED COST IN NIGERIA
The departure price doesn't tell the whole story. Landed cost is made of:
1. The goods
Price per tonne by grade, grammage and format. Stock lots and stocklots offer the best opportunities — up to 30% below mill price.
2. Logistics
Pre-carriage, sea freight and insurance to Lagos. Spread over a full container, the per-tonne cost is often lower than feared.
3. Duty & taxes
ECOWAS CET duty by category, import VAT, forwarder and port handling fees.
4. The last mile
Local transport from the port to your plant or warehouse.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Form M and why does it matter?
Form M is a mandatory electronic import declaration filed by your Nigerian authorised dealer bank and validated before the goods ship. Without a valid Form M there is no import — it is the foundation of every Nigerian import.
What is SONCAP?
SONCAP is the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme: a conformity certificate required for regulated products. Your forwarder and the certification body confirm whether and how it applies to your goods.
Are there customs duties on paper in Nigeria?
Nigeria applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff by product category, plus import VAT. There is no automatic zero-duty preferential regime as in the Maghreb, so price the landed cost duties included.
Which ports do you serve in Nigeria?
Mainly Lagos — Apapa and Tin Can Island — plus Onne and Port Harcourt in the east, with regular sailings from Europe.
How long does delivery to Nigeria take?
For stock goods with Form M and documents in order: allow the sea transit plus clearance, which can be longer at busy Lagos terminals. We give a realistic door-to-door estimate for your city.
📘 See also: Paper & board in Nigeria · Ghana · Kenya · All products
Planning to import into Nigeria?
Tell us your grade, grammage and tonnage — a priced CIF Lagos or EXW offer within 24 h, with real stock photos.