21/05/2026
5 costly mistakes Nigerian importers make and how to avoid them šš½
1ļøā£ Not processing Form M before shipment departs
Many importers donāt realize Form M must be opened before goods leave the origin country.
Once your shipment is already on the way, delays and extra charges can begin piling up fast.
2ļøā£ Ignoring SONCAP certification for regulated products
If your goods require SONCAP certification and you donāt have it, your shipment can be held or seized at the port.
No business wants that kind of setback.
3ļøā£ Shipping without cargo insurance
One damaged container.
One lost shipment.
Without insurance, thereās no compensation and that could mean losing months of investment in one incident.
4ļøā£ Using unprofessional clearing agents to save money
Cheap agents often lead to expensive problems:
ā¢ Wrong documentation
ā¢ Poor communication
ā¢ Delayed clearance
And in the end, youāre the one paying for those mistakes.
5ļøā£ Not accounting for demurrage charges
Ports only give a limited number of free days for cargo collection.
Once that window closes, charges start accumulating daily and they add up quickly.
Donāt wait until the bill arrives before learning about demurrage.
Importation doesnāt have to be stressful when you work with the right logistics partner.
With Sayem Transport & Logistics, your shipments are handled professionally from start to finish.
Send us a Dm today or message 09035101400 to get started.
