Cost and Steps of Shipping from Nigeria to USA In 2024

shipping from Nigeria to USA

Are you planning to send something to the US? You might be interested in the cost and steps of shipping from Nigeria to USA In 2024, then this post is for you!

It may seem like a huge task to send goods from Nigeria to the United States in 2024, but it’s quite easy if you have the right information.

People send food and other goods to the United States, either as a business or as gifts for family and friends.

In this post, we will delve into the intricacies of shipping from Nigeria to the USA, providing valuable insights into costs, steps involved, and important considerations.
You may also see: Cost and Steps of Shipping from Nigeria to Ghana In 2024

Let’s begin!

Different courier services and shipping companies have different prices, so we will take FedEx as a case study.

Shipping an envelope of 0.5 kg or less to the United States via FedEx will cost you N30,943 while shipping a package of 1kg will cost you N38,713.

Let’s take a look at the different shipments in kilograms and their corresponding prices in the table below:

FedEx International Priority® (IP)

This is a shipment price list obtained from FedEx, and you can view details of the price list from FedEx here

Package weightAmount (Naira)
1.5 kg53,007
2.0 kg59,892
3.0 kg73,929
4.0 kg88,231
5.0 kg102,533
6.0 kg116,829
7.0 kg131,127
8.0 kg145,425
9.0 kg159,723
10.0 kg174,021
11.0 kg187,523
12.0 kg201,021
13.0 kg214,519
14.0 kg228,017
15.0 kg241,515
16.0 kg255,013
17.0 kg268,511
18.0 kg282,009
19.0 kg295,507
20.0 kg309,005

Below is the shipment cost of large quantities of manufactured products or raw materials. The rates are given per kilogram, and you will have to multiply it by your total weight to get the actual shipment cost.

Rates per kg (multiply by total shipment weight)Amount (Naira)
71-99 kg11,964
100-29911,964
300-49911,964
500-99911,964
1,000-99,99911,964

FedEx International Economy® (IE)

This is slightly cheaper than the FedEx International Priority, but it takes longer days or weeks to be delivered. You can view the FedEx International Economy here.

What are the Shipping Options available from Nigeria to USA?

Courier Services: Well-known international delivery companies such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS provide different kinds of express and economy delivery services to meet the requirements of their customers and budgets.

They provide door-to-door pickup and delivery services and frequently include online tracking capabilities.

Shipping through these services from Nigeria to America is expensive; they are not budget-friendly, especially if you are shipping for business purposes.

Freight Forwarders: Freight forwarders provide cost-effective and efficient solutions for large shipments surpassing the weight or size constraints of courier services.

Their expertise is in the management of intricate logistics, which includes the clearing of customs and the transfer of goods via air or ocean freight. 

Freight forwarders are the best services to use if you are shipping large consignments and exporting for business purposes, as they are relatively cheaper than courier services.

Postal Services: Unlike courier services, national postal services such as NIPOST (Nigeria Postal Service) typically have longer delivery timeframes and fewer tracking options. However, these services are generally more affordable than courier services.

To ship goods from Nigeria to the United States, you need to do your homework thoroughly.

Few things you need to take into consideration and what you need to know before you proceed with your shipment are outlined below:

  • Inspect your Items:

You are required to perform a comprehensive inspection of your goods. There are requirements that you must follow when mailing certain kinds of packages.

There are restrictions in place to prohibit those who do wrong from taking advantage of this chance.

For example, explosives, perishable products, fluids, dangerous goods, animals, and other similar items are not allowed to be brought into the United States.

As always, you can inquire about a list of prohibited products from the freight company of your choice.

  • Find out the import rules for your items:

When it comes to receiving things from other countries, the United States of America imposes different regulations and restrictions regarding customs clearance.

You may be called upon to pay additional costs for specific items.

This, however, is contingent upon the kind and quantity of items contained within the package.

Inquiring about customs and border protection is usually a smart idea because it allows one to be informed of any additional costs or paperwork that may be necessary as a result of the situation.

  • Ensure your items are properly packaged.

Depending on the time of year, the weather in the United States may be rather different. In light of this, if you are shipping an item during the winter, you will need to wrap it differently than you would if you were sending it during the summer.

Some instructions can be found online to help you correctly pack your belongings.

  • Find the lowest shipping method for your cargo.

There is a large number of delivery companies that are experts in shipping packages to the United States.

When searching for a cheap one, it is important to keep their trustworthiness in mind so that you do not end up missing stuff or being taken advantage of.

Get Your Shipment Ready: Use strong boxes and the right packing materials to ensure your things are safe during transit.

Ensure the Label has the correct information, including the recipient’s zip code, full address, and contact information.

Select a Shipping Service: Research and compare different shipping companies based on your budget, the time frame you want for arrival, and any other needs you may have.

Get prices from different companies to find the cheapest choice.

Complete Customs Clearance Documentation: Fill out customs statement forms correctly, giving information about what’s in the package, how much it’s worth, and why it’s being sent.

It can cause delays and extra fees if you don’t follow the customs rules.

Drop Off or Schedule Pickup: Depending on your chosen service, you can either drop off the item at a specific location or set up a time for it to be picked up.

Track Your Shipment: Most good shipping companies have tracking tools online that you can use to see how your package is doing from where it started to where it’s going.

You may be considering what documents you need to ship products to the United States.

The paperwork that you might require to export your goods to the United States of America is listed below:

  1. Commercial invoice
  2. Bill of lading
  3. Consular invoice.
  4. Certificate of origin
  5. Inspection certification
  6. Dock receipt and warehouse receipt
  7. Destination control statement
  8. Insurance certificate
  9. Export license
  10. Export packing list

If you want to start a business exporting large goods to the US need these documents.

If all you want to do is send a package or smaller items to the US, you only need to find a reputable courier service or shipping agents/forwarders to drop off your items and complete the necessary form.

The shipping agents/forwarders will provide the necessary documents on your behalf, and everything will go smoothly.

  1. Shipping by air: The best way to get something from Nigeria to the US is by air.

Most deliveries by plane are made within three days. Getting around by air comes in two forms:

Standard shipping takes between four and eight business days, and express delivery takes 3 business days on average.

It costs a lot to ship by air.

It’s mostly used when people have no choice or need the item sent quickly.

  • Shipping by sea

As the name suggests, it is a way to send things by sea. They make use of containers to ship items through the seas.

It also works for large or bulky items. It takes at least six to eight weeks for packages to get from the US to Nigeria.

Ocean shipping from Nigeria to the USA once a week is discounted by up to 25% by some big shipping companies.

This is what you can choose if you need to send a lot of things at once.

Small businesses with enough goods to fill a container can ship them from Nigeria to the United States.

The person only pays for the container space they need.

It costs less and is the choice of many businesses, especially those that have big items to ship.

Several factors determine the cost of shipping from Nigeria to the United States of America:

Size and weight of the item: It is only reasonable that heavier and bulkier items will cost more to ship.

Shipping method: The most suitable mode of transportation is air freight, which also happens to be the most costly. On the other hand, sea freight is a more cost-effective alternative, albeit with lengthier travel periods.

Carrier: The different shipping companies offer different prices for their services.

Destination: The shipping costs can change depending on the final destination inside the United States of America.

You can ship from Nigeria to the USA through courier services like FedEx, UPS, and DHL. You can also ship through a national post office like NIPOST.

Shipping agents and forwarders are another option you may employ to carry out your shipment from Nigeria to the USA.

Shipping an envelope of less than 0.5 kg to the United States via FedEx will cost you N30,943 while shipping a package of 1kg will cost you N38,713.

The fastest shipping from Nigeria to the USA is by air through courier delivery services like FedEx, UPS, and DHL.

DHL’s shipping cost depends on the package’s weight and dimensions. For a shoe box size of 1kg and a dimension of 35 by 20 by 15, DHL will charge you N245,698.

For international freight, for any loads from 70kg and above, FedEx will charge you N11,964 per kg, while for smaller packages, FedEx will charge you around N14,500 per kg.

Shipping from Nigeria to the USA can be smooth and efficient with proper planning and execution. By knowing the cost and steps of shipping from Nigeria to the USA and understanding the factors influencing costs and available shipping options, you will be able to make informed choices and ensure a successful international shipment. Remember to conduct thorough research, compare prices, and adhere to customs regulations to navigate the intricacies of international shipping confidently.