An Update On The Revised Nigerian Export And Import Guidelines 2017

On January 1st 2018, the Federal Government of Nigeria commenced the implementation of the 2017 Revised Import¹ and Export² guidelines. The implementation of the guidelines is in line with the government's efforts to improve international trade whilst enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

The following are key provisions in the revised guidelines:

1. Reduction of Documentation

The required documentation for exports and imports has been reduced from ten (10) to seven (7) and from fourteen (14) to eight (8) respectively.³

2. Palletization of all Cargoes

2.1 Due to goods being shipped into Nigeria which are usually stacked haphazardly without pallets thereby making physical examination impractical or unduly tedious, the guidelines provides that shipping lines are required to ensure that containerized cargoes bound for Nigeria are palletized.⁴