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20FT & 40FT Container Shipping Costs from China to Nigeria
- Verified & Reviewed · Last updated June 2026
20ft 40ft Container Shipping Costs from China to Nigeria vary depending on sea freight rates, container size, shipping route, port charges, customs clearance, import duties, and inland delivery.
This guide explains 20ft and 40ft container shipping costs from China to Nigeria, covering FCL and LCL shipping, major ports such as Lagos Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar, as well as transit time, customs process, and door to door service.
Shipping method / Mode
Transit time range
FCL / LCL / Door to Door
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Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Container from China to Nigeria?
Container shipping rates can vary significantly depending on the shipping route, shipping line, container load, cargo weight, port congestion, fuel prices, seasonal demand, and whether you need port-to-port shipping or door to door service.
| Shipping Option | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft container | US$2,970 – US$3,630 | Heavy cargo, machinery, tiles, hardware |
| 40ft container | US$3,150 – US$3,850 | Furniture, electronics, textiles, retail goods |
| LCL shipping | Around US$435/CBM | Smaller shipments and shared container cargo |
| Air freight | Around US$7.40/kg for 1,000kg+ | Urgent air cargo and time-sensitive goods |
These shipping costs are useful for budgeting, but the actual cost to ship a container should be confirmed based on the product name, HS code, cargo weight, container size, loading port, destination port, and customs clearance requirements.
Container Shipping Cost by Size
Container size is one of the main factors affecting the total shipping cost. A 20ft container is usually selected for heavy and dense goods, while a 40ft container is better for larger cargo volume. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping can be a more flexible option.
20ft Container Shipping Cost from China to Nigeria
A 20ft container from China to Nigeria usually costs US$2,970 to US$3,630 by sea freight in June 2026. This shipping container is suitable for cargo that is heavy but does not require the full space of a 40ft container.
A 20ft container is commonly used for:
Machinery and equipment
Hardware and tools
Ceramic tiles and stone products
Metal parts and spare parts
Building materials
Dense industrial goods
Small full container load shipments
The main advantage of a 20ft container is its lower total cost compared with a 40ft container. However, if the goods are bulky but not heavy, the average price per cubic meter may be higher because the container space is limited.
40ft Container Shipping Cost from China to Nigeria
A 40ft container from China to Nigeria usually costs US$3,150 to US$3,850 by sea freight in June 2026. For larger commercial shipments, a 40ft container is often more cost effective because it provides more cargo space and lowers the average shipping expenses per unit.
A 40ft container is suitable for:
Furniture
Electronics
Textiles and garments
Plastic products
Home appliances
E-commerce goods
Mixed supplier cargo
Wholesale shipments
If you buy goods from several suppliers in China, your freight forwarder can collect the cargo into one warehouse, arrange loading, and ship everything as one full container load. This helps simplify export documentation and reduce repeated handling.
LCL Shipping Cost from China to Nigeria
LCL shipping from China to Nigeria costs around US$435 per cubic meter in June 2026. LCL is suitable for smaller shipments that do not need a full shipping container.
With LCL, your goods share container space with other international shipments. This can save money for small cargo, but the transit time may be longer because of consolidation and deconsolidation processes at origin and destination.
FCL and LCL Shipping Options
When shipping goods from China to Nigeria by sea, importers usually choose between FCL and LCL. The right shipping method depends on cargo volume, cargo value, delivery time, and budget.
FCL Shipping
FCL means full container load. Your goods use the entire container, and the container is sealed after loading in China. FCL is usually more efficient for larger shipments, valuable goods, fragile cargo, or regular import orders.
FCL shipping is suitable when:
Your cargo can fill most of a 20ft or 40ft container
You want better control over the container load
You need lower cargo handling risk
You want a faster and cleaner shipping process
You are importing goods from multiple suppliers in China
LCL Shipping
LCL means less than container load. Your cargo shares a container with other shipments. This is a cost effective option for smaller shipments and importers who do not have enough goods to fill a full container.
LCL shipping is flexible, but it may involve more handling than FCL. If your cargo volume becomes large, FCL container shipping may become cheaper and more stable than LCL.
Main Shipping Routes from China to Nigeria
Most container shipping from China to Nigeria moves by sea freight to Lagos because Lagos is Nigeria’s main commercial gateway for container imports. Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port handle significant container traffic and connect with major inland markets.
Major Chinese Ports
China has many major Chinese ports with strong international shipping capacity. Choosing a port close to your supplier can reduce inland trucking costs and improve the shipping process.
Common departure ports include:
Guangzhou Nansha Port
Tianjin Port
Xiamen Port
Main Nigerian Ports
Nigeria has several container ports for international trade. For most container shipments from China, Lagos is the most common destination.
Major ports in Nigeria include:
Apapa Port, Lagos
Tin Can Island Port, Lagos
Port Harcourt Port
Onne Port
Calabar Port
Common Sea Freight Routes
Common shipping routes from China to Nigeria include:
Shanghai to Lagos Apapa Port
Ningbo to Lagos Apapa Port
Shenzhen to Tin Can Island Port
Guangzhou to Lagos Apapa Port
Qingdao to Port Harcourt
Tianjin to Onne Port
Xiamen to Calabar Port
The best shipping route depends on your supplier location, cargo type, container availability, shipping line schedule, and final delivery address in Nigeria.
Transit Time from China to Nigeria
The transit time for sea freight from China to Nigeria is usually 35 to 38 days for common Lagos routes. Some ocean freight routes may take 35 to 45 days, depending on the vessel schedule, transshipment port, port congestion, and customs clearance speed.
Route | Estimated Transit Time |
Shanghai to Lagos | 35–38 days |
Ningbo to Lagos | 35–40 days |
Shenzhen to Lagos | 36–40 days |
Guangzhou to Lagos | 36–42 days |
Qingdao to Port Harcourt | 40–45 days |
Tianjin to Onne | 40–45 days |
Xiamen to Calabar | 40–45 days |
Importers should also allow extra time for Nigerian customs clearance, port release, container pickup, and inland transportation from the port to the final destination.
What Is Included in the Total Shipping Cost?
The freight rate is only one part of the total shipping cost. A complete container shipping quote should clearly show what is included and what is excluded, especially when comparing different shipping companies.
Total shipping costs may include:
Pickup from supplier warehouse in China
Export documentation
Export customs declaration
China port charges
Terminal handling charges
Sea freight
Bill of lading fee
Destination port charges in Nigeria
Nigerian customs clearance
Customs duties and VAT
Port storage if delayed
Inland transportation to the final destination
Container return and delivery charges
Port-to-port shipping usually covers only the main sea shipping section between the origin port and destination port. Door to door service includes more logistics services, so the total cost is higher but easier for importers who want one freight forwarder to manage the complete shipping process.
Customs Clearance and Import Duties in Nigeria
Customs clearance is one of the most important parts of shipping goods from China to Nigeria. Nigerian customs procedures are strict, especially at Lagos Port, and inaccurate documentation can cause customs delays, extra inspection, storage fees, or higher customs clearance costs.
Required Customs Documents
For Nigerian customs clearance, importers usually need accurate customs documents before the shipment arrives.
Common required documents include:
Packing list
Bill of lading
Form M
PAAR
SONCAP certificate if required
Product permits for regulated goods
Correct HS code and declared customs value
The commercial invoice and packing list must match the actual cargo. Product name, quantity, value, carton details, gross weight, net weight, and consignee information should be clear and consistent.
Import Duties and VAT
Nigerian customs duties and tax policies vary based on the goods. Import duties are usually calculated according to the HS code and CIF value, which includes product value, insurance, and freight cost.
Nigeria also applies 7.5% VAT plus product-specific duties and other applicable charges. Some goods may require extra compliance documents or import approvals before customs clearance.
Common Customs Clearance Problems
Customs clearance costs depend on shipment complexity and item type. Common customs problems include wrong HS code, undervalued invoice, missing Form M, incomplete PAAR, unclear cargo description, and document mismatch.
To reduce risk, importers should prepare documents early and work with an experienced freight forwarder or customs broker familiar with Nigerian customs.
Door to Door Container Shipping from China to Nigeria
Door to door service is suitable for importers who want one shipping company or freight forwarder to manage the full logistics process. Instead of arranging several providers separately, your forwarder handles the shipment from the supplier’s warehouse in China to your warehouse or business address in Nigeria.
Door to door container shipping can include:
Cargo pickup in China
Container loading
Export customs clearance
Sea freight to Nigeria
Nigerian customs clearance
Port handling
Import duties and tax guidance
Inland trucking to the final destination
This shipping method is useful for importers who do not have their own customs broker, local trucking team, or experience with complex logistics in Nigeria.
Why Choose Tonlexing as Your Freight Forwarder?
Tonlexing provides container shipping and logistics services from China to Nigeria for importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and trading companies. We help customers compare sea freight, air freight, FCL, LCL, and door to door service based on cargo size, budget, and delivery requirements.
Tonlexing can support:
20ft and 40ft container shipping
Full container load and less than container load shipments
Sea freight from major Chinese ports to Nigeria
Air freight for urgent cargo
Export documentation in China
Customs clearance support
Door to door service
Shipment tracking and logistics updates
Cost effective international shipping solutions
Whether you need to ship machinery, electronics, furniture, textiles, building materials, spare parts, or bulk cargo, Tonlexing can provide competitive shipping rates and help you manage the full shipping process with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
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