Nigeria has restricted the importation and exportation of several commodities. Knowing which items are prohibited is essential for anyone trying to do business in Nigeria. Take a look at them below.

According to the Nigerian Customs, the country prohibits the exportation of these eight ( items:

1. Maize
2. Timber (rough or sawn)
3. Raw hides and skin (including all unfinished leather)
4. Scrap metal
5. Unprocessed rubber latex and rubber lumps
6. Artifacts and antiquities
7. Wildlife animals classified as endangered species (e.g. crocodile, elephant, lizard, eagle, monkey, zebra, lion, etc.)
8. All imported goods

Nigeria also does not allow the importation of certain items. According to the Nigerian Customs, commodities that are prohibited from being imported into Nigeria are:

1. Live or dead birds, including frozen poultry
2. Pork and beef
3. Eggs, but not hatching eggs
4. Refined vegetable oils and fats (excluding castor oil, crude vegetable oil, and olive oil)
5. Cane sugar, beet sugar, and sucrose in solid forms containing added flavoring or coloring matter
6. Cocoa butter, powder, and cakes
7. Spaghetti and noodles
8. Fruit juice in retail packs
9. Water, including mineral waters and aerated waters that contain added sugar, non-alcoholic beverages, and beer
10. Bagged cement
11. Medicaments such as paracetamol and co-trimoxazole tablets
12. Pharmaceutical waste
13. Mineral or chemical fertilizers (excluding organic fertilizer)
14. Soaps and detergents in retail packs
15. Mosquito repellent coils
16. Retreaded or used pneumatic tires
17. Corrugated paper, boxes made from paper boards, toilet paper, cleaning tissues, etc.
18. Recharge vouchers
19. Carpets and other textile floor coverings
20. Footwears, bags, and suitcases, but not safety or sports shoes
21. Glass bottles exceeding 150ml
22. Used compressors, air conditioners, and fridges
23. Used motor vehicles
24. Ballpoint pens
25. Tomato paste

In addition to these products, the NCS also has a list of absolutely prohibited items, including weapons, second-hand clothing, and more. Moreover, Nigeria's Central Bank also has a list of over 40 commodities that it does not provide foreign currency for. Although many of these can still be imported, importers will have to go to the parallel market for foreign currency, where the price is significantly higher.

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