Air Freight From China
to Nigeria

Most airlines set a minimum of 45 to 100 kg for regular air freight. For smaller shipments (under 50 kg), courier services (DHL, FedEx) are more appropriate. We can consolidate your goods with others to reach minimum weights if needed, reducing your per-kg cost.

Use the quote form on this page (it opens WhatsApp with your details pre-filled), email china@dechaser.com with your cargo details, or call +234 706 380 6846. We respond with a binding DDP quote within 2 to 4 working hours during Guangzhou business hours (UTC+8).

Yes. The CBN Form M is mandatory for all commercial imports to Nigeria valued above $500, regardless of freight mode. Specifically, it must be opened at your Nigerian bank before the goods are shipped. Failure to have a Form M at time of arrival results in cargo being detained. Our team advises on the exact Form M requirements based on your shipment details.

PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) is a Nigerian Customs document generated by Destination Inspection agents before cargo arrives. It is required for most commercial imports subject to Destination Inspection (DI). Our clearing agents generate the PAAR based on your commercial invoice and other shipping documents as soon as the AWB is confirmed.

Yes. Our Guangzhou operations team handles multi-supplier consolidation as a standard service. We collect from different factories across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, and surrounding cities, consolidate at our warehouse, and ship as a single consignment. This saves you multiple air freight minimums.

Nigerian import duty is assessed on the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value of the goods at the applicable tariff rate for the HS Code. Electronics typically attract 5 to 20%, clothing 15 to 25%, and machinery parts 5 to 10%. Additionally, a 7.5% VAT and a 1% CISS (Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme) levy apply. For DDP shipments, we calculate all these upfront so you know your exact landed cost.

For DDP shipments, we handle this entirely on your behalf. Common causes of holds include: incomplete commercial invoice, missing SONCAP/NAFDAC documentation, or underdeclared values. Our clearing agents are physically present at MMIA cargo sheds and address queries immediately. In most cases, holds are resolved within 24 to 48 hours for clients with proper documentation.

Technically yes, but it is rarely economical. Furniture is bulky with high volumetric weight, meaning the air freight cost often exceeds the value of the goods. Sea freight (LCL or FCL) is almost always the better choice for furniture. We recommend air only for small, high-value furniture pieces or urgent interior design project items.

LCL (Less than Container Load) combines your goods with others in a shared container — ideal for smaller shipments. FCL (Full Container Load) gives you a dedicated 20ft or 40ft container. This is relevant if you are comparing air vs sea options — our sea freight guide explains both fully.

Red flags include: unusually low rates (below $3/kg DDP), agents who refuse to provide an official AWB number, requests for full upfront payment to personal accounts, and “handling fees” demanded after goods arrive. Verify: physical China office address, company registration, and ability to provide the MAWB before full payment. Foon Chaser provides all documentation transparently.

We operate from Guangzhou as our primary hub but cover all major Guangdong Province cities including Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, and Huizhou. We also coordinate pickups from Shanghai, Ningbo, and Yiwu, typically consolidating goods at our Guangzhou warehouse before airlifting.

Yes. We arrange all-risk cargo insurance at approximately 0.3 to 0.5% of the declared cargo value. Given that air freight losses are rare but do occur (damaged electronics, theft at transit hubs), insurance is strongly recommended for high-value shipments over $5,000. Simply request this when you get your quote.

Airlines publish monthly fuel surcharges (FSC) based on jet fuel prices. In 2026, FSC for China-Africa routes is typically $0.40 to $0.90/kg, added on top of the base freight rate. Our DDP quotes always include current FSC so you see the real all-in cost. Global oil price volatility has kept surcharges moderate compared to the 2022 spikes.

We accept wire transfer (USD, CNY, NGN), and can discuss payment terms for regular clients. For new clients, we typically require a 50 to 70% deposit before cargo collection, with the balance before delivery. We never request personal mobile money payments — all transactions go through official company bank accounts.

Yes. We deliver to all major Nigerian cities. Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, Enugu, and Benin City are covered through our inland transport network. Delivery beyond Lagos typically adds 1 to 3 business days and a local transport cost which we include in your DDP quote upfront.

SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme) is a mandatory pre-shipment inspection certificate for regulated goods — primarily electronics, electrical equipment, and certain machinery. It must be obtained in China before export. Our Guangzhou team works with SON-approved inspectors to arrange SONCAP for your shipment. See our dedicated SONCAP guide.

The Airway Bill (AWB) is the air cargo equivalent of a Bill of Lading. It is a non-negotiable transport document that serves as the contract of carriage, cargo receipt, and customs declaration. The Master AWB (MAWB) is issued by the airline; the House AWB (HAWB) is issued by your freight forwarder. You use it to track your shipment and clear customs.

We handle DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), DDU/DAP (Delivered at Place), FOB (Free on Board, where you take over freight responsibility), and CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight). Most Nigerian importers benefit most from DDP — one price, no surprises. FOB and CIF are for experienced importers who have their own clearing agents in Nigeria.

That is exactly what we are here for. Our Guangzhou operations team communicates directly with your Chinese suppliers in Mandarin, coordinates pickups, inspects goods, and handles all Chinese-language documentation. You communicate with us in English. We bridge the language and operational gap between China manufacturing and Nigerian business needs.

In 2026, air cargo rates on the China-Africa corridor have stabilised after the post-pandemic volatility. Capacity has increased as more carriers added belly cargo capacity on long-haul routes. Meanwhile, fuel surcharges have remained moderate, and Nigeria Customs has improved digital processing through NICIS II — reducing clearance times. Key variables to watch include global oil prices affecting FSC, Chinese export peak seasons (Q3 to Q4), and any CBN/NCS policy changes affecting import requirements.