Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Nigeria to the United States

Nigeria, hailed as Africa’s largest economy, brings a wealth of opportunities for American businesses. This makes the US a robust market for Nigerian goods, forging a trade relationship between the two countries characterized by diversity, collaboration, and mutual benefit. 

In 2022, Nigeria had the largest net trade with the United States, exporting $7.55 billion worth of goods. The top products exported were crude petroleum, refined petroleum, and nitrogenous fertilizers. 

You've come to the right place if you want to ship goods from Nigeria to the United States. Here is your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Nigeria to the United States?

Your options for shipping freight from Nigeria to the United States are ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Nigeria to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common shipping method for goods coming from Nigeria and bound for the United States. This is because it’s the most cost-efficient and flexible, meeting the needs of various shippers. Ocean freight can transport any type of cargo and even offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by shippers of small cargo or those transporting small volumes of goods. Through this mode of container shipping, their goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers. That way, they only have to pay for the space in their cargo. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used by shippers of large and heavy goods or those with large volumes to ship. They pay for space in an entire container for their goods alone. FCL is faster than LCL, saving time by eliminating the consolidation process. 

Air Freight from Nigeria to the United States

Air freight is the fastest but most expensive way to ship cargo from Nigeria to the United States. Shippers prefer to transport time-sensitive and perishable cargo as it only takes a couple of days for the goods to arrive at their destination. Shippers of high-value goods also use air freight because of stricter airport regulations that guarantee cargo security. 

Air freight is the most expensive mode of international shipping, so it’s important to calculate your budget properly before deciding to ship by air. Another thing to note is that air freight cannot accommodate all cargo types and limits the weight, size, and volume allowed for your shipment. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Nigeria to the United States?

The cost to ship cargo from Nigeria to the United States will depend on the following factors: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

To estimate your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Nigeria to the US:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Nigeria to the United States?

The transit time for goods shipped from Nigeria to the United States is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Nigeria to the United States?

Ocean freight from Nigeria to the United States will take 15 to 50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Nigeria to the United States?

Air freight from Nigeria to the United States will take 2 to 8 days to complete. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Nigeria and the United States

Once your Nigerian goods arrive in the United States, they must be inspected and processed by the customs clearance authorities. They will be looking for the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

For examples of these requirements, look at our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight for your Nigeria to United States shipment, you must carefully consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to remember to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you value cost-efficiency and flexibility. It’s accommodating enough to transport any type of cargo you need to get to the US, whether big, small, light, or heavy. When you opt for ocean freight, you must choose whether to ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is a good option for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You might be better off choosing FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

Choose air freight if you need your cargo to arrive in the United States as fast as possible. It only takes 2 to 8 days to complete, which makes it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. If you transport high-value goods, you’ll also appreciate air freight’s security thanks to stricter airport processes and regulations. 

One thing to note when choosing air freight, however, is to get ready to pay a shipping fee that’s significantly higher than ocean freight. You should also know that air freight might not be able to accommodate the type of cargo you’re looking to transport. It has a list of restricted and prohibited goods for air freight shipping and limits your shipment's weight, size, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Nigeria

Port of Lagos

The Port of Lagos, also called the Port of Apapa, is located in Nigeria's key commercial center. It is the oldest and biggest port in the country in terms of cargo volume and land area. More than half of the maritime trade in Nigeria passes through the Port of Lagos. 

Port of Tin Can Island

The Port of Tin Can Island is located near the Lagos Port Complex. It’s the second busiest port in Nigeria and is designed to handle over 650,000 TEUs per year. The port can handle diverse types of cargo, including containerized goods, liquid bulk, dry cargo, RoRo, and breakbulk. 

Port of Onne

The Port of Onne is located on the Bonny River along the creek of Ogu. It was developed to become a free port zone to serve West Africa’s oil and gas sector primarily. The port boasts specialized terminals that can handle various cargo types, from containers and bulk cargo to raw materials to steel. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is a primary trade gateway, ranking as the 21st busiest container port in the world. It can handle many cargo types and sees over 9.13 million TEUs annually. The port is famous for its eco-friendly policies and processes. 

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah in the state of Georgia in the US is North America's largest single-terminal container facility. Its strength lies in handling heavy goods, such as cars and machinery. The port handles over 5.76 million TEUs per year. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest in the United States by foreign waterborne tonnage. It’s an important contributor to the Gulf Coast's economy. The port boasts an extensive network of terminals, allowing it to handle a diverse range of cargo. 

Air Freight from Nigeria to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Nigeria

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport is in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. It serves the entire state for both passenger and cargo traffic. It’s a hub for Air Peace, Arik Air, Dana Air, Aero Contractors, Ibom Air, and more, and it handles over 129 million kilograms of air cargo per year.

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport serves the capital city of the Kano State of Nigeria. It used to be a Royal Air Force Station. It primarily caters to northern Nigeria and is a hub for Max Air, Azman Air, Nigeria Airways, Kabo Air, Med-View Airline, and Freedom Air Services.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport 

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport serves the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja. It is the primary airport for the Nigerian capital city. It is a hub for Air Peace, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Ibom Air, and Overland Airways and handles over 10.38 million kilograms of air cargo traffic per year. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third busiest cargo airport in the United States. It handles over 2 million tons of cargo per year and is a hub for UPS Worldport, the largest package sorting facility in the world. 

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport handles over two million tonnes of cargo per year. The largest air freight companies use its facilities, making it a major hub for international trade. 

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the fourth busiest cargo airport in the United States, handling 2 million tonnes of cargo annually. It boasts 50 cargo carriers and direct flights to over 60 nations. The airport has special facilities that allow it to handle a high volume of cargo traffic.