PRE-SHIPMENT INSPECTION OF IMPORTS ACT
Act · Trade
An Act requires inspection of certain imports at their origin before entering Nigeria. It targets importers and customs officials to check quality, quantity, and pricing. This prevents substandard goods and reduces fraud in imports.
PRE-SHIPMENT INSPECTION OF IMPORTS ACT
What Is This Policy?
An Act requiring certain categories of imports to be inspected at the country of origin before shipment to Nigeria to verify quality, quantity, price, and tariff classification.
Who Does It Target?
Nigerian importers of goods above specified values Designated pre-shipment inspection companies Nigeria Customs Service at ports Federal Ministry of Finance
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Prevent importation of substandard, misdescribed, or overpriced goods and reduce customs fraud through independent third-party inspection at source.
Key Features
Mandatory Inspection: Imports above a prescribed value must be inspected in the country of supply before shipment. Clean Report of Finding: Importers must present a Clean Report of Finding (CRF) for customs clearance. Price Verification: Inspection verifies that invoiced prices reflect market value to prevent undervaluation for customs purposes. Approved Inspectors: Designated companies licensed by the Federal Government conduct inspections.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active — specific categories still subject to inspection Coverage: Specified import categories above threshold value Beneficiaries: Government revenue; consumer protection; domestic industry Funding: Inspection fees charged to importers
How to Access
Arrange inspection in country of supply before shipment Present CRF at Nigerian port for customs clearance Engage approved inspection companies registered with the Ministry Application method: Contact designated inspection companies: Bureau Veritas, SGS, or other approved firms.
Important Terms
Importing without a CRF where required leads to port detention and surcharges Fraudulent CRFs attract criminal prosecution Some goods are exempt from inspection due to their nature or value
Official Resources
Website: https://www.customs.gov.ng Contact: Nigeria Customs Service / Federal Ministry of Finance
Legal Framework
Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Operates alongside the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 LFN 2004, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act 1993, and the WTO Agreement on Pre-shipment Inspection.