West Africa · Import guide
🇳🇬 Importing machinery into Nigeria
Nigeria is relatively open to used heavy machinery, with age limits more generous than many East African markets. Standard import documentation applies. Confirm current SONCAP applicability and any sector-specific rule for your machine.
- Used age limit
- Generous — historically around 15 years (verify by category)
- Emission requirement
- No specific off-road tier surfaced
- Inspection / conformity
- Standard import documentation; SONCAP may apply to some goods
- Main ports
- Lagos (Apapa / Tin Can), Onne
Reviewed 2026-06. Rules change — always reconfirm before committing a shipment.
Good to know
- Lagos ports (Apapa, Tin Can) handle most heavy-equipment imports.
- Duty and levy structures change — confirm landed cost before committing.
Typical export documents
We prepare and coordinate these for every shipment:
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) & bill of lading
- Inspection / conformity certificate (Standard import documentation)
- Certificate of origin & insurance
Nigeria — questions
Answers, straight up
Can you import used heavy machinery into Nigeria?
Nigeria is relatively open to used heavy machinery, with age limits more generous than many East African markets. Standard import documentation applies. Confirm current SONCAP applicability and any sector-specific rule for your machine.
What is the used-equipment age limit for Nigeria?
As of 2026-06: Generous — historically around 15 years (verify by category). Age is counted from the year of manufacture. Confirm the live figure for your machine type before committing.
What inspection or certificate does Nigeria require?
Standard import documentation; SONCAP may apply to some goods. We arrange the required inspection or conformity certificate as part of the export process.