Are you an American business owner or individual looking to ship goods to Nigeria? Perhaps you’re a Nigerian living in the States who needs to send a care package back home. Whatever your reason for needing to transport items internationally between the United States and Nigeria, it’s important to understand the costs involved and factors that affect shipping prices.
But international shipping is never simple or cheap, especially when traversing the great distance between North America and West Africa. Multiple carriers, modes of transportation, customs processes, and other logistics go into successfully delivering a shipment from the US to Nigeria. As a result, the shipping from USA to Nigeria cost can vary significantly based on numerous variables.
In this article, we’ll break down the key factors that affect Nigeria shipping rates from America and provide some sample pricing for common shipment scenarios. We’ll also offer money-saving tips to help you reduce international shipping costs as much as possible.
Accessorial Fees and Other Factors Impacting Nigeria Shipping Costs
Beyond the baseline transportation charges, there are many accessorial fees and other variables that can drive up the total cost of shipping to Nigeria from the United States, including:
Fuel Surcharges
As fuel prices fluctuate, shipping carriers adjust fuel surcharges accordingly to cover increased transportation costs.
Value-Added Services
Costs for things like crating, packaging, storage, re-weighing of freight, customs clearance assistance, and more.
Insurance
Purchasing cargo insurance provides reimbursement coverage if goods are lost or damaged en route.
Method of Transportation
Ocean freight is cheaper than air freight, but slower. Sending by air expedites transit times at a higher price point.
Distance
The further the shipment travels, the higher the transportation costs, making the long voyage to Nigeria pricy.
Shipment Weight and Dimensions
Heavier and larger freight simply costs more to move from Point A to Point B.
Type of Commodity
Some items are more expensive to ship due to special handling needs, regulations, and other requirements. For example, hazardous materials or oversized/overweight freight incurs higher rates.
Customs Duties and Import Taxes
This is one of the most common mistakes while shipping. When importing goods into Nigeria, shippers must pay duties and taxes as determined by Nigerian customs based on shipment value and commodity type. Complex paperwork is also often required.
Example Costs to Ship from USA to Nigeria
To give you a rough sense of how much it might cost to ship different types of freight from the United States to Nigeria, here are some sample pricing estimates:
Small Package (under 100 lbs)
For sending a small package under 100 lbs from the US to Nigeria via an express carrier like UPS, FedEx, or DHL, expect to pay anywhere from $100-$300+ depending on exact dimensions, weight, origin/destination addresses, and any accessorial fees. Transit times are typically 3-5 business days.
Personal Vehicle
To ship a standard passenger vehicle like a car or SUV from America to Nigeria can cost $2,000-$5,000 or more via ocean freight for a port-to-port move, then additional fees for customs clearance and inland delivery. Total shipping time is around 6-8 weeks.
Less-Than-Container Load (LCL)
For moving palletized freight or a small commercial shipment that doesn’t require a full container, LCL ocean shipping would cost $150-$400+ per cubic meter from the US to Lagos based on total volume, commodity type, etc. Delivery could take 4-6 weeks or longer.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Hiring a full 20′ or 40′ shipping container from the USA to Nigeria typically ranges from $3,000 to $7,500+ based on ports, cargo, fuel costs, etc. This option makes sense for very large shipments, with port-to-port transit of 3-4 weeks.
Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs to Nigeria
While international shipping between the US and Nigeria will never be cheap, there are some strategies you can deploy to minimize expenses:
- Utilize LCL shipping for smaller freight shipments instead of air to save money, even though ocean is slower.
- Be very precise with dimensions and weights to avoid re-weigh fees.
- Use proper packaging to protect goods and prevent damage-related costs.
- Consolidate multiple shipments into a single container when possible.
- Compare pricing across multiple freight forwarders, brokers, and shipping lines.
- Work with an experienced logistics provider who understands complex Nigeria import requirements.
- If sending personal items, consider shipping by sea for affordability over air freight.
- Ensure proper export/import documentation to avoid customs delays and fees.
Work With Trusted Shipping and Logistics Experts
The costs of shipping goods from the United States to Nigeria can be unpredictable and complex due to the many variables involved. That’s why it’s critical to partner with reputable international shipping companies and freight forwarders who have extensive experience moving cargo between North America and West Africa.
Established freight logistics providers can leverage their expertise and global networks to not only find the most economical shipping routes and solutions, but also ensure your cargo avoids delays, overpays duties, or gets hit with unnecessary accessorial charges. This professional assistance is invaluable when tackling the intricacies of US to Nigeria shipping.
So while there’s no getting around the fact that shipping internationally is expensive, taking the proper steps and precautions can help mitigate costs substantially. With some guidance, you can find reasonably priced solutions for affordably transporting freight or personal items from America to its final destination in Nigeria.
