Nigeria Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in nigeria, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Import Requirements and Documentation
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Nigeria has transitioned from pre-shipment inspection to destination inspection for imports, requiring all goods to be inspected upon arrival. This has contributed to delays in cargo clearance due to inefficiencies and limited use of available technology. Despite significant investments in scanners, many devices remain underutilized or in disrepair. The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) continues to face challenges such as corruption and inefficiencies, impacting trade facilitation efforts.

Recent reforms under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, aim to streamline customs processes. Initiatives include improving port decongestion and implementing a 48-hour cargo clearance system. Efforts to increase the use of scanners, especially at major ports like Apapa, are underway to reduce manual inspections. Additionally, the NCS is prioritizing the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program to facilitate faster clearance for compliant traders.

The Single Window Portal and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) system remain critical tools for simplifying customs processes. Both systems allow traders to submit documentation online and receive clearance more efficiently. However, consistent delays persist due to congestion, insufficient infrastructure, and challenges in implementing digital solutions fully. To address these, the NCS is working with stakeholders to enhance scanner utilization and overall automation of the clearance process​in the country.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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