It’s normal to see Nigerian Customs Officers at every International Airport in the country. If you are returning to Nigeria from overseas with a light or heavy baggage, you will be searched thoroughly to make sure you are not carrying forbidden or restricted items.
Every Nigerian love souvenirs, they buy and carry as much as they can. An unforgettable journey isn’t perfect without taking some souvenirs home for our families and friends. However, you should be careful with things that could land you in trouble at the point of entry, as Nigerian customs have special ways of searching for prohibited items in your baggage.
If you want to save yourself some good money, time and from embarrassment at the airport, here are 10 things Nigerian customs must not find in your baggage:
1. Fresh or Preserved Foods
Am not sure people would want to carry fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals and eggs, and persevered foods all the way from another country to Nigeria. However, such items are prohibited.
2. Jewellery and Precious Metals
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No Nigerian will ever want to skimp on keepsakes like jewellery, however, it is advisable to be careful on the type of jewellery you buy when you travel. Precious metals or stones are quite expensive. If you are travelling with them, it is better to declare to the customs on arrival.
3. Hard Drugs
Checking baggages for hard drugs and cocaine has become the main reason why security is so tight and strict at the International airport. Bodies and baggages are thoroughly searched for hard drugs and cocaine and if it is discovered on your body or in your bag, you will be arrested by the Law Enforcement and may end up in jail.
4. Guns, Firearms and Explosives
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All firearms and ammunition are prohibited in carry-on and checked baggage. You are not permitted to carry explosives too. If you are carrying a gun, it is better to declare at the point of entry and you must have permits for the ammunition.
5. Sharp Objects
Sharp objects, which are capable of causing injury are things Nigerian customs must not find in your baggage. Knifes, hatchets, arrows and darts etc. are not allowed.
6. Money
Money Laundering in Nigeria is a crime. Therefore if you are carrying a cash value exceeding $5, 000, you may be prosecuted.
7. Gifts and Souvenirs Exceeding a Value of N50,000.00
Gifts and souvenirs exceeding a value of N50, 000 are prohibited items; excluding items like camera, smartphones and other luxury goods.
8. Pharmaceutical products
Even though, some pharmaceutical products can be carried in a checked baggage, when such products are in bulk, they may be seized.
9. Beer, Stout and Sparkling Wines
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Imported beer, stout and sparkling wines should not be in your baggage as the Nigerian customs will seized them.
10. Live Animals
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Live Animals such as dogs and cats must be accompanied by rabies and health certificate issued by a certified veterinary. Other types of live or dead animals are prohibited.
It’s very important to check your bags prior to travelling to make sure you are not carrying any prohibited or restricted item. For more information on prohibition and restricted items, visit the Nigeria Custom Service.
Did we miss any prohibited item you know? Share with us in the comment below:
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We are too much as government and the so-called law enforcement agents did not noticed bulk humans from many parts of the African borders especially in Nigeria permits large numbers of people trooping in Nigeria. That is the area where the immigration, customs, Police, SSS etc work not seizing people gold, clothes, shoes, phones and money. They are even abusing the profession: because 98% of them are working for their pocket and not for Nigeria.
Rich information
nice one, I ll like to add that you are only required to declare correctly the amount u r carrying in excess of the 5000 dollars, failure to declare is an offense
All said were attrocities which if committed should call upon greater sanctions. But, stil smugglers were always being successful on Nigerian boarders. Then what is that leading to such circumstance? Is it bribery and corruption, porousity of boarders etc
Naija!!!Thanks for the information
Pls, I have a question…I bought an electronic worth $119 and It was package in two different parcels….so I got one nd am yet yo receive the other which was posted on the same day.could d other load be impounded by customs. No contraband at all in it…pls reply me
Is palm oil among the items prohibited by FAAN to travel with out of Nigeria?
I recently traveled out of 9ja through Lagos airport and was surprised when the immigration/custom officer told me that Gari is not allowed in hang luggage that I should have kept it in my checked-in luggage. Can you kindly confirm if this is actually the case, cos I don’t see any harm that my Gari will do in the hand luggage.
Thanks.
Nice Blog, Thank you for sharing a valuable topic.
Thanks & Regards,
From ivrs software.