Form M

All items imported into the country must be detailed in the Form M. This Form must be submitted to an Authorized Dealer bank for processing. Necessary information include:

i. Complete description of items including their commercial name, make, state (used, refurbished or unused), and the standards used to declare its value.
ii. Unit cost, quantities and measurements
iii. The total value or cost of each shipment
iv. Cost for freight and the transportation mode used to import the product(s)
v. Other details regarding the shipment and pertinent charges applied on the importation
vi. Countries of supply and origin
vii. Pro-forma invoice with the address and contact details of the supplier
viii. Other necessary documents required by the government like registration and title for vehicles, etc.

After processing, the Form M will be marked valid or not valid for Foreign Exchange. Once all the documents and forms have been completed, the Authorized Dealer bank will forward the documents to the Scanning and Risk Agency.

Nigeria has very strict policies regarding importation. No vehicle older than 15 years old, for example, is allowed into the country. For electronic household effects, the cables must also be marked. Software programs imported into the country, whether for personal or commercial use, must also be 2000 compatible. When completing the inventory of goods for the Form M, importers must declare the true value of the products. Otherwise, it would be impounded or shipped out of the country as necessitated by the customs authorities.

Import duties

Importation duties are not detailed in the customs website of Nigeria but it is understood that a 1% administrative fee needs to be paid, depending on the total value of the shipment. This applies to imported items, whether used, refurbished, or unused, which did not accompany the passenger on the plane. Up to a limit, baggage brought into the country by the passenger, as long as they’re declared as personal effects and not for sale, is duty-free. This rule, of course, does not include vehicles. Vehicles brought into the country as baggage or as a separate shipment are bound by duties and taxes. All duties will be paid through the Authorized Dealer bank, as indicated on the Form M.

On vehicles

Vehicles imported from the USA to Nigeria by non-Nigerian residents may be used in the country for a maximum time of six months. Complete registration documents should accompany the shipment, and the completion of these is the responsibility of the importer. Said documents must be completed before the filing of the Form M. The importer is responsible for informing the supplier about the status of said Form M.

Industrial vehicles and boats may also be imported from the USA, but if they’re going to be used outside personal purposes, they may need other permits pertaining to the project on hand. Expect duties and taxes to be applied on these items.

Documents required for Form M

No misrepresentation of imported products would be tolerated by the customs department of Nigeria, so make sure you complete these documents and forms correctly. They must be verifiable by the Authorized Dealer bank:

i. CCVO
ii. Certificate from the manufacturer
iii. Transportation bills
iv. Packing list
v. Letter of tested credit instrument

This is just a guide to importation rules in Nigeria. For more specific information regarding tariffs, duty applications, and shipment prohibitions, please visit the Nigeria Customs Administration.