Everything in Customs Clearance is about proper documentation. To this, no importer can do without dealing with customs documents. As a matter of fact, customer clearance involves the preparation and submission of documents required to facilitate export or imports into the country.


Another way to describe this is that it is “the act of passing goods through customs so that they can enter or leave the country.” In passing goods to and fro or through customs, documents must be given by customs to the shipper to show that customs duty has been paid and the goods can be shipped.


In this post, we’d be touching on some most important documents required for customs clearance. Some of the documents involved are :

1. Exports Documentation: Purchase order from Buyer, Sales Invoice, Packing List, Shipping bill, Bill of Lading or air waybill, Certificate of Origin and any other specific documentation as specified by the buyer, or as required by financial institutions or LC terms or as per importing country regulations.

2. Imports Documentation: Purchase Order from Buyer, Sales Invoice of the supplier, Bill of Entry, Bill of Lading or Air waybill, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, and any other specific documentation required by the buyer, or financial institution or the importing country regulation.

Also, See Different Types of Bill of Lading and Relative Transportation Mode.


We’d be dwelling on 5 most basic Import documents required for Customs Clearance purposes. All the documents are equally important that they must be sorted before approaching the customs.

However, these are basic and must be explained. So, if you are an importer, whether you import by Air or by Sea shipping, within the global network https://bowagateglobal.com/global-network/ , this post is for you.

Most importers are oblivion of the importance of these documents as they risk being deprived due to incomplete or inadequate preparation.

Know about these documents can solve over 40% of the problems importers and exporters make https://bowagateglobal.com/2019/10/31/most-common-mistakes-importers-m/.

These documents must be sorted out either by the importer or with the assistance of the freight forwarders involved.

An Importer must be knowledgeable on the best method to choose freight forwarding companies in order to reduce cost and get the goods safely to the port of destination for the shipping process.
The documents needed must be timely to avoid demurrage from the country of origin of the goods.

Read About: Airport Customs Clearing in Nigeria https://bowagateglobal.com/2019/10/03/customs-clearing-airport-lagos/

The following are the 5 important documents needed for the shipping process of goods to Nigeria.

Form M
This is a mandatory statutory document to be completed by all importers for the importation of goods into Nigeria. This simply implies that without the form, goods cannot be approved for importation into Nigeria.


The documentation process is put in place by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). In other words, this document is issued by the CBN through Commercial Banks for import permit procedure. It states the product Harmonized Codes for customs import duty, the amount as well as other basic information.

All imported goods to Nigeria must have Form M attached.

See Also: How to Process and Obtain Form M in Nigeria https://bowagateglobal.com/2019/09/17/obtaining-form-m/

Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
A bill of lading is just like a ‘receipt’ and it is one of the most important documents required for customs clearance purposes. It is a legal document or contract between the carrier and shipper.

This document is issued by the shipping company that transport the goods from the ports of loading to destination. The bill of lading contains details of the type, quantity, and destination of goods being carried.


It also carries the information of the shipper, consignee and the notifying party of the imported goods. Details of ports of loading and discharging are included in the document.

When a carrier receives a shipment, it is important he obtains a document which must state the details of the shipment, the Shipper, Carrier, Exporter, Consignee and Notify.

See Also: What you need to know about Customs Clearance https://bowagateglobal.com/2019/05/02/tips-for-clearing-your-consignment-in-nigeria/

Agency Certificate
Without obtaining approvals or certifications from agencies responsible for a related type of consignment, the customs clearance process may not work out well. This type of certificate usually depends on the goods you are importing.

For manufactured goods, SONCAP Certificate will be issued by the Standard Organization of Nigeria. For importation of food items, cosmetics, drugs etc, NAFDAC certificate must be issued. NDLEA and NAFDAC certificates are required for clearing of imported drugs. NESREA certificate is required for customs clearance of second-hand goods.

For more explanation or clarity, you’d need the service of a freight forwarding company for professional guides and advice. They’d explain the exact Agency certificate that will be needed for the shipping process, in order to prepare you for success.

Commercial or Pro Forma Invoice
This is a monetary value declaration of goods. It is always issued by the seller or the shipper of the goods. This invoice will be needed in two ways.

For Form M and Pre Arrival Assessment Reports by the customs for import duty.


Insurance Certificate
This is a document indicating the type and amount of insurance coverage in force on a particular shipment. It is used to assure the consignee that insurance is provided to cover loss or damage to cargo during the shipment process. It is needed to cover any loss or damage during shipping of the goods to Nigeria.


For this, you need to approach any reputable insurance company for issuance of the certificate. An insurance certificate will be needed when raising Form M at the banks for imported goods. This certificate is usually needed when raising a Form M for imported goods, at the bank.

Important! Should you consider Air Freight Consolidation? https://bowagateglobal.com/2019/09/20/cheaper-air-freight-services/

Do you have any questions about your goods documents issuance for your next shipment? Or do you want to learn more about the documents required for customs clearance or talk to us about your Shipment?


Give us a call 0818 607 8330 or send an Email to via info@bowagateglobal.com.

For expert and professional freight forwarding, book a quote. We offer cheap (affordable), fast (swift) and reliable quality cargo services that include Import, Export, Freight, Clearing/Customs Duty Brokerage, Groupage Freight, Warehousing, Consolidation, Air Freight Consolidation, Shipping Globally, Door to Door Freight Shipping, etc.

Do you like this Post? Would you like to receive the latest updates and information from us?

Source: https://bowagateglobal.com/2019/12/05/documents-required-for-customs-clearance/