Essential documents for import clearance include: Bill of Lading (for sea freight) or Airway Bill (for air freight), Commercial Invoice showing FOB value, Packing List detailing contents, Form M (import permit from CBN), PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report), Certificate of Origin, Import Permit or License where applicable, and any regulatory approvals such as NAFDAC permit for food/drugs, SON certificate for regulated products, NESREA clearance for environmental items, or DPR approval for oil & gas equipment. Bowagate Global assists in obtaining all required documents and ensures everything is properly filed before cargo arrival.

With complete and accurate documentation, import clearance at Nigerian ports typically takes 2-5 business days. However, this timeline depends on several factors: cargo risk category assigned by Nigerian Customs (Green channel clears fastest, Red requires physical examination), completeness of pre-arrival documentation, regulatory approvals needed (NAFDAC/SON add 1-3 days), port congestion levels, and payment processing time. Bowagate Global's pre-arrival processing service significantly reduces clearance time by handling documentation before your cargo arrives. For urgent shipments, we offer expedited clearance services. Export clearance is generally faster, taking 1-3 days for most commodities.

Customs brokerage fees vary based on cargo value, complexity, and clearance type. Typical cost components include: Customs Broker Commission (usually 1-2.5% of CIF value with minimum fees), Documentation Processing Fee, Terminal Handling Charges (THC) from shipping lines/airlines, Port Authority charges, Customs Duty (calculated on CIF value based on HS code), VAT (7.5% on duty-paid value), and any regulatory agency fees (NAFDAC, SON, etc.). Bowagate Global provides transparent, all-inclusive quotes with no hidden charges. Our competitive rates and duty optimization expertise often save clients 15-25% compared to other brokers. Contact us with your cargo details for an accurate, itemized quote within 2 hours.

Bowagate Global provides licensed customs brokerage services at all major Nigerian ports and airports: Apapa Port (Lagos) - Nigeria's largest and busiest seaport; Tin Can Island Port (Lagos) - major container terminal; Onne Port - oil & gas and industrial cargo hub; Port Harcourt Port - strategic southern gateway; Calabar Port - eastern Nigeria import/export point; Warri Port - Delta region gateway; Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos - air cargo clearance; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport; and Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu. We have licensed agents stationed at each location with deep knowledge of local customs procedures, port protocols, and terminal operations. This nationwide coverage means one point of contact for all your clearance needs across Nigeria.

Yes, Bowagate Global has specialized teams managing all Nigerian regulatory clearances. For NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control), we handle permits for food products, beverages, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and chemicals. For SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria), we obtain certificates for electronics, machinery, vehicles, building materials, and other regulated products under the SONCAP program. We also coordinate with NESREA for environmental clearances, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) for agricultural products, DPR for petroleum products and oil & gas equipment, and NDLEA for controlled substances. Our regulatory experts maintain direct relationships with these agencies, enabling faster processing. We advise clients on requirements before shipment and ensure all permits are secured to prevent cargo delays at Nigerian ports.

Form M is a mandatory pre-import declaration required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for all imports into Nigeria. It serves as an import permit and foreign exchange allocation document. Bowagate Global assists clients in Form M processing by: verifying your company's eligibility (valid TIN, import license), preparing complete documentation (proforma invoice, packing list, etc.), liaising with your authorized dealer bank for Form M issuance, ensuring correct HS code classification and duty rates, tracking approval status and expediting processing, and coordinating with Nigerian Customs for PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) generation after Form M approval. The entire process typically takes 3-7 business days. Without a valid Form M, your cargo cannot be cleared through Nigerian customs. We ensure this critical document is properly obtained to avoid clearance delays.

Bowagate Global provides real-time clearance tracking through our web-based portal accessible 24/7. Clients receive: Email/SMS notifications at each clearance milestone (cargo arrival, documentation submitted, duties assessed, customs release, etc.), live status updates on our online platform showing exactly where your cargo is in the clearance process, direct access to scanned copies of all customs documents and receipts, estimated clearance completion date based on current progress, and instant alerts for any issues requiring your attention or additional documentation. Additionally, your dedicated customs agent is always reachable by phone for immediate status updates. Our transparent tracking system ensures you're never in the dark about your cargo's location or clearance progress. Most clients appreciate this visibility as it helps them plan warehouse operations and notify end customers of delivery timelines.

Yes, Bowagate Global specializes in vehicle importation and customs clearance for all automobile categories: new and used cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, heavy-duty trucks, and specialized equipment. We handle all Nigerian customs requirements for vehicles including: VIN verification and valuation, duty calculation based on vehicle age and engine capacity (vehicles over 15 years old are prohibited), SON SONCAP certification, Customs VIN valuation, levy payments to NADDC (National Automotive Design and Development Council), and coordination of physical examination. Vehicle clearance requires specialized knowledge of Nigerian automotive import policies, duty rates that vary by vehicle type/age, and strict documentation requirements. Our automotive clearance experts at Apapa and Tin Can ports process hundreds of vehicles monthly. We ensure your vehicles clear customs efficiently and advise on import restrictions before shipment to avoid prohibited items (e.g., salvage vehicles, right-hand drive in some cases).

Duty drawback is a refund of import duties paid on raw materials or components that are subsequently used to manufacture goods for export. Nigerian Customs allows duty drawback claims for eligible exporters who import inputs, process/manufacture them locally, and export the finished products. Bowagate Global's duty drawback service includes: eligibility assessment for your business and products, documentation preparation (import declarations, export declarations, manufacturing records), filing duty drawback claims with Nigerian Customs, liaison with NCS Drawback Unit for approvals, tracking refund processing and payment, and audit support to ensure compliance with drawback regulations. The refund amount can be substantial - often 10-30% of export revenue for manufacturers. However, drawback claims require meticulous record-keeping and compliance. Our experts ensure your claims meet all Nigerian Customs requirements and maximize your refund. This service is particularly valuable for manufacturers in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food processing.

Yes, Bowagate Global operates licensed bonded warehouse facilities and provides customs bond services. A bonded warehouse allows you to store imported goods without paying customs duty immediately - duty is deferred until goods are released for local distribution or re-exported without duty. Benefits include: improved cash flow by deferring duty payment, ability to consolidate multiple shipments before duty payment, option to re-export goods without paying Nigerian import duty, time to find buyers or distribute gradually, and secure customs-supervised storage. We also arrange customs bonds (financial guarantees) required for certain imports, temporary importation of equipment, transit cargo moving through Nigeria to other countries, and special customs procedures. Our bonded warehouse coordination includes: cargo receiving and inspection, inventory management with customs supervision, duty payment processing when goods are released, and documentation for partial releases or re-exports. This service is ideal for importers of high-value goods, traders holding inventory for gradual distribution, and companies importing materials for re-export after processing.