Sea Freight Shipping from/to Nigeria
Bowagate Global provides affordable FCL & LCL container shipping worldwide from Lagos, Nigeria. Full customs clearance at Apapa Port and Tincan Island Port, RORO, bulk & breakbulk options. 32+ years experience since 1994.
📋 Table of Contents
Why Choose Sea Freight?
The most economical solution for large volume, heavy and bulk cargo worldwide
Highly Cost-Effective
Up to 50-80% cheaper than air freight. Ideal for large shipments and non-urgent cargo.
FCL & LCL Options
Full container for exclusive use or shared space for smaller volumes – pay only for what you use.
Expert Customs Handling
Form M, PAAR processing, complete documentation and clearance at Apapa & Tincan ports.
RORO & Bulk Shipping
Roll-on/roll-off for vehicles and heavy equipment. Bulk and breakbulk for oversized cargo.
Global Coverage
40+ seaports worldwide including China, USA, UK, UAE, and Europe. Direct routes to Lagos.
Full Documentation
Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and all required shipping documents handled.
What is Sea Freight Shipping?
Sea freight is the transportation of goods by ocean vessels – the most cost-effective method for large, heavy or bulk cargo.
While slower than air freight (30-50 days vs 3-7 days), sea freight offers massive savings of 50-80% for machinery, equipment, vehicles, raw materials and full container shipments to/from Nigeria.
When to choose sea freight:
- Large volume or heavy cargo (over 100kg)
- Non-urgent shipments (can wait 4-7 weeks)
- Cost is priority over speed
- Full container (FCL) or shared (LCL) needs
- Bulk, RORO, project cargo
- Machinery, equipment, vehicles
Industries We Serve
Specialized solutions for heavy machinery, equipment and bulk cargo across multiple industries
Sea Freight Transit Times to Lagos
Port-to-port transit times from major global seaports to Apapa & Tincan ports
| Origin | Major Ports | Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo | 30-45 days | Most common route |
| United States | Houston, New York, Los Angeles | 35-50 days | Atlantic route |
| United Kingdom | Felixstowe, Southampton | 25-35 days | Europe transshipment |
| UAE | Jebel Ali, Dubai | 20-30 days | Fast Middle East route |
| Germany | Hamburg, Bremerhaven | 25-35 days | Direct European lines |
| India | Mumbai, Chennai, Nhava Sheva | 25-35 days | Direct service available |
How Sea Freight Works
Simple 8-step process from quote to delivery at your warehouse
Quote Request
Send details – get FCL/LCL quote within 24 hours
Booking
Confirm space & receive booking confirmation
Pickup
Collection from supplier/warehouse
Documentation
Form M, PAAR, Bill of Lading preparation
Port Loading
Cargo stuffed & loaded at origin port
Ocean Transit
Sailing with tracking updates
Customs Clearance
Clearance at Apapa/Tincan
Delivery
Final door delivery in Nigeria
FCL vs LCL: Which is Right for You?
Choose between full container or shared container based on your cargo volume
Full Container Load (FCL)
Exclusive use of entire container – best for larger shipments
Container Sizes:
- 20ft Container: 25-28 CBM capacity
- 40ft Container: 55-58 CBM capacity
- 40ft High Cube: 65-68 CBM capacity
Best for: Shipments over 15 CBM, sensitive cargo, full truck loads
Less than Container Load (LCL)
Share container space – pay only for volume you use
How it works:
- Charged per CBM (cubic meter)
- Minimum usually 1 CBM
- Consolidated with other shipments
Best for: Shipments under 15 CBM, smaller volumes, cost-sensitive cargo
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about sea freight shipping to Nigeria
What's the difference between FCL and LCL?
How long does sea freight take from China to Nigeria?
Do you handle Form M and PAAR processing?
What ports do you serve in Nigeria?
Can you ship vehicles and machinery?
How much does sea freight cost?
Is door-to-door service available?
What documents are required for sea freight?
Types of Cargo We Handle
Professional handling for diverse cargo types with specialized requirements
📦 General Cargo
Electronics, textiles, furniture, consumer goods, machinery parts in standard 20ft/40ft containers.
🚗 RORO Vehicles
Cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment via Roll-on/Roll-off vessels with drive-on/drive-off loading.
🏗️ Heavy Machinery
Industrial equipment, generators, excavators, cranes using flat racks, open tops, or breakbulk.
🌾 Bulk Cargo
Raw materials, grains, minerals, liquids shipped in specialized bulk carriers for large volumes.
❄️ Refrigerated Cargo
Perishables, frozen goods, pharmaceuticals in temperature-controlled reefer containers (-25°C to +25°C).
⚠️ Hazardous Goods
Chemicals, batteries, flammables following IMO regulations with proper documentation and handling.
Why Choose Bowagate for Sea Freight?
32+ years of logistics excellence serving businesses across Nigeria
32+ Years Experience
Established in 1994, we've handled over 100,000 containers. Deep expertise in Nigerian import regulations and port operations.
Major Shipping Line Partnerships
Direct contracts with Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO giving you access to wholesale rates and guaranteed space.
Save Up to 50% on Costs
LCL consolidation, volume discounts, and efficient customs clearance save you significantly vs other forwarders.
Licensed Customs Brokers
Expert handling of Form M, PAAR, SONCAP, SON, and all CBN requirements for smooth port clearance.
Warehousing & Storage
Bonded warehouse facilities in Lagos for temporary storage, consolidation, and cargo inspection services.
End-to-End Solutions
From supplier pickup to your warehouse door – we handle every step including trucking, port fees, and delivery.
Ready to Ship Your Cargo?
Get competitive sea freight quote – response within 24 hours with all costs included