Ocean Freight
FCL and LCL sea freight for containers, bulk cargo, machinery and general merchandise. Full booking, documentation, consolidation and terminal coordination.
FCL & LCL shipping
The Reality of Global Trade
A Shipment Is Not a Single Event. It Is a Chain of Decisions.
Import and export in Nigeria are essential components of international trade, supply-chain management and economic activity. Nigerian businesses import raw materials, machinery, spare parts, finished products, technology equipment and consumer goods, while exporters move agricultural commodities, manufactured products, solid minerals and other permitted Nigerian goods to international markets.
However, international trade involves much more than moving cargo from one country to another. A successful import-export operation requires coordination between importers, exporters, overseas suppliers, international buyers, freight forwarders, customs agents, the Nigeria Customs Service, shipping lines, airlines, port and terminal operators, regulatory agencies, banks, insurance providers, trucking companies, warehouses and inspection bodies.
For a logistics company, the opportunity is to manage these activities as one integrated supply chain. For imports, the direction runs from supplier or exporter → origin logistics → export clearance → international freight → Nigerian port or airport → import customs → port clearance → haulage → warehousing → distribution → final customer. For exports, the direction is reversed — beginning with Nigerian product preparation and ending with the international buyer.
"The strongest logistics positioning is not 'we clear goods.' It is 'we manage the movement of your goods from origin to destination — including freight forwarding, customs coordination, port operations, haulage, warehousing and final delivery.'"
That is what Derockstars does. We connect Nigerian businesses to global suppliers and customers through an integrated logistics model — so you can focus on trade, not on chasing documents, terminals and trucks.
The Journey
What Actually Happens to Your Goods
Ten deliberate stages from supplier verification to final delivery — in either direction.
STEP 01
Trade Planning
We establish the goods, supplier or buyer, classification, value, origin and regulatory requirements before shipment.
STEP 02
Commercial Contract
Purchase order or sales contract, Incoterm, payment terms, delivery terms and insurance responsibility are confirmed.
STEP 03
Documentation
Commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, certificate of origin, CCVO and permits are prepared.
STEP 04
Regulatory Screening
SON, NAFDAC, NAQS, NESREA, NDLEA and other agency requirements are identified before cargo moves.
STEP 05
Classification
Correct HS Code and customs valuation are determined from actual product characteristics and intended use.
STEP 06
International Freight
Best-fit ocean, air or road carrier, routing, transit time and equipment selection for your cargo.
STEP 07
Export Clearance
Origin-country export customs, Form NXP where applicable, inspection and cargo acceptance are coordinated.
STEP 08
Import Assessment
Form M, PAAR, SGD, customs assessment, duties, taxes and regulatory charges are processed transparently.
STEP 09
Examination & Release
Documentary, scanning or physical examination is coordinated with customs and relevant agencies.
STEP 10
Clearance & Delivery
Terminal release, haulage, warehousing and final delivery are managed end-to-end with proof of delivery.
What We Handle
Trade Logistics Built Around Your Business
From international freight and customs clearance to haulage, warehousing and distribution — we structure each trade operation around your commodity, route and regulatory reality.
Specialised Trade Cargo
Some Trade Shipments Need More Than a Booking
Specialised cargo requires classification, validated packaging, regulatory approval and controlled handling at every touchpoint — on both the export and import side.
Agricultural Exports
Quality, moisture, grading, phytosanitary and destination-market requirements for cocoa, sesame, cashew, grains and other Nigerian agricultural commodities.
Solid Minerals
Documentation, classification, permits and export compliance for permitted Nigerian solid minerals moving to international markets.
Machinery & Equipment
Classification, valuation, heavy haulage, project cargo planning and delivery coordination for industrial machinery and factory equipment.
Temperature-Sensitive Cargo
Refrigerated containers and validated cold-chain procedures for perishables, pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biological samples.
Project & Oversized Cargo
Route surveys, heavy haulage, crane planning, port coordination and special handling for oversized and industrial project shipments.
E-Commerce & Parcels
Cross-border e-commerce, SCADS advance declarations, parcel consolidation, courier coordination, last-mile delivery and returns management.
Compliance & Trade Facilitation
Built on Nigerian Customs Standards and Trusted-Trader Programmes
International trade requires accurate information. Incorrect classification, inconsistent documentation or inaccurate valuation can trigger queries, reassessment and delays — on both the export and import side.
For eligible businesses, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme offers potential priority treatment such as pre-arrival clearance, reduced inspection and expedited release. This reflects a broader move toward risk-based customs and digital trade in Nigeria.
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) compliance
- Advance Ruling on classification, origin and valuation
- Form M, PAAR, SGD and Form NXP processing
- NCS digital platforms including B'Odogwu
- SCADS for cross-border e-commerce shipments
- AEO trusted-trader programme alignment
- Post-clearance audit and record-keeping readiness
Advance Ruling
Legally binding decisions on tariff classification, origin and valuation before importation or exportation.
Authorised Economic Operator
Trusted-trader programme with potential priority treatment for compliant operators.
Digital Trade Platforms
B'Odogwu, SCADS and other NCS digital services for faster, transparent trade processing.
Record Keeping
Digital document management and post-clearance audit readiness for every transaction.
Two Directions, One Partner
Import Flow vs Export Flow
The same supply chain, moving in opposite directions. Here is how each side works.
Import Flow
- Supplier & purchase order
- Commercial documentation
- Origin transportation
- Export customs at origin
- International freight
- Nigeria port, airport or border
- Import customs & duty payment
- Terminal clearance & haulage
- Warehousing & distribution
- Final customer delivery
Export Flow
- Buyer & sales contract
- Product preparation & quality
- Export documentation
- Regulatory certification
- Inland transportation
- Export customs & Form NXP
- Port, airport or border
- International freight
- Destination customs
- International buyer delivery
Need both directions managed by one partner?
Talk to a Trade Specialist
Industries We Serve
Trusted Across Sectors
Frequently Asked
Answers Before You Trade
What is import logistics in Nigeria?
Import logistics is the management of moving goods from an overseas supplier into Nigeria, including transportation, documentation, customs clearance, port operations, haulage, warehousing and final delivery.
What is export logistics in Nigeria?
Export logistics is the process of preparing and moving Nigerian goods from the exporter to an international buyer — including product preparation, documentation, inland transport, export customs, international freight and destination delivery.
What documents are required to import goods into Nigeria?
Requirements vary by transaction, but may include commercial invoice, packing list, shipping documents, customs declarations, Form M where applicable, PAAR and product-specific certificates or permits.
What documents are required for export from Nigeria?
Requirements depend on the product and destination but can include commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration, certificates, inspection documents, shipping documents and other regulatory documentation.
Can a logistics company handle both import and export?
Yes. A full-service logistics company can coordinate freight forwarding, customs processes, port operations, haulage, warehousing and delivery through appropriate licensed and partner arrangements.
What is an Incoterm?
An Incoterm defines agreed responsibilities, costs and risk allocation between buyer and seller in an international transaction. Common examples include FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP.
Can imported goods be stored in a bonded warehouse?
Bonded warehouses can provide customs-controlled storage under applicable licensing and procedures. NCS describes them as facilities where imported goods may remain under customs control until duties are paid or the goods are re-exported.
How can importers reduce customs delays?
The strongest approach is proactive preparation: accurate documentation, correct classification, regulatory screening, pre-arrival preparation, customs coordination and early transport planning.
One Partner. Both Directions. Zero Guesswork.
Tell us what you are importing or exporting, where it is going and what you already have in place. Our trade logistics specialists will deliver a clear, itemised quote within 24 hours.