Guide · Nigeria
Export wine to Nigeria: the 2026 guide
Updated 31 Oct 2026 · Checked against official sources · Reviewed each year
Key points
- Exporters shipped USD 63 million of wine to Nigeria in 2025, below the 2021 peak of USD 111 million; Nigeria's own import figures are unusable.
- France leads with 36% of value, mostly Champagne; Spain, the USA, Italy and South Africa follow.
- Every wine must be registered with NAFDAC by a Nigerian company before import: count months, not weeks.
- Since 1 July 2026 wine excise is 25% plus NGN 70 per litre, on top of 20% duty and 7.5% VAT.
The market in numbers
Nigeria's own import statistics for wine are not usable: Nigeria declared USD 6.2 million in 2024 while France alone declared USD 23.3 million of shipments. On exporters' figures, the twelve main exporting countries shipped USD 63.3 million in 2025 and USD 53.5 million in 2024, after a peak of USD 111 million in 2021 and a halving in 2023.
| Exporter, 2025 | USD m (exporters' figures) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | 22.80 | 36.0% |
| Spain | 12.24 | 19.3% |
| USA | 7.12 | 11.2% |
| Italy | 6.47 | 10.2% |
| South Africa | 6.45 | 10.2% |
France is a value market built on Champagne (USD 19.1 million of French sparkling in 2025); Spain and South Africa supply volume. Nigeria was Africa's second-largest Champagne market in 2022 (Comité Champagne figures reported by the press).
Duties and taxes
- Customs duty: 20% of CIF (ECOWAS common external tariff).
- Surcharge 7% of the duty and ECOWAS levy 0.5%.
- Excise: since 1 July 2026, 25% plus NGN 70 per litre, fixed for 2026 to 2028.
- VAT: 7.5%.
| One bottle, CIF USD 5.00 (NGN 7,250) | NGN |
|---|---|
| Import duty 20% | 1,450.00 |
| Surcharge and ECOWAS levy | 134.13 |
| Excise 25% + NGN 70 per litre | 1,865.00 |
| VAT 7.5% | 662.56 |
| Total taxes | 4,111.69 (57% of CIF), duty-paid about USD 7.84 |
Assumes NGN 1,450 per USD and the VAT base used by USDA (excise excluded). Customs converts at the official rate on the day of declaration. Whether the 1% inspection levy (CISS) is still charged was not confirmed: ask us. NAFDAC registration costs come on top and are per product.
NAFDAC registration: the step that sets the timeline
- No unregistered wine can be imported or sold (NAFDAC Wine Regulations 2021).
- A registered Nigerian company files for you, holding a notarised power of attorney from the producer.
- Documents: certificate of manufacture and free sale authenticated by the Nigerian embassy, certificate of analysis, trademark registered in Nigeria, samples, and a factory inspection.
- Timing: three months in theory, up to a year or more in practice. Valid 5 years.
- Fees (2020 scale, converted by USDA): about USD 1,450 per product, and about USD 11,800 per foreign facility inspection.
- Food and drink are exempt from SONCAP.
Labels
- English; NAFDAC registration number; name and address of the producer and the Nigerian importer; country of origin; date of manufacture.
- « 18+ » shown prominently; sulphites declared above 10 ppm; no health claims.
- Best-before date only under 10% ABV. Stickers only if hard to remove and applied before arrival.
Documents and samples
- Form M through an authorised bank (whatever the value), bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, single goods declaration; a valid NAFDAC registration is needed to process the Form M.
- Registration samples need a NAFDAC import permit; trade show samples need no registration but a permit on written request.
How the market works
Consumption is concentrated in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt; importer-distributors handle most of the volume. Counterfeit and relabelled wine is a known problem, which is one more reason buyers ask for registered, traceable brands.
Fair: Agrofood Nigeria (food and beverages), Landmark Centre, Lagos, 16 to 18 March 2027.
Mistakes we see
- Shipping before NAFDAC registration and the factory inspection are complete.
- Labels without the NAFDAC number, the 18+ mark or the importer's name.
- Letting the power of attorney lapse at renewal; using a trademark not registered in Nigeria.
- Funding an importer's registration fees without checking how they are used.
How we work in Africa
Our Africa team, run from Paris, has sold into more than 20 African countries and worked with over 90 importers. Nigeria is one of its three main markets, with Côte d'Ivoire and Kenya.
Sources
- UN Comtrade, exports to Nigeria reported by 12 exporting countries (mirror data), HS 2204, 2015 to 2025, United Nations Statistics Division, link (official data)
- MFN applied tariff, HS 2204, 2023, World Bank WITS / UNCTAD TRAINS, link (official data)
- Nigeria announces 2026 fiscal and trade policy changes (reproduces the Ministry of Finance annex), USDA FAS, NI2026-0010, link (primary, reproduction)
- NCS implements 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures (29 Jul 2026), Nigeria Customs Service, link (primary)
- Wine Regulations 2021, S.I. 57, NAFDAC, via FAOLEX, link (primary, reproduction)
- FAIRS Country Report 2026, USDA FAS, NI2026-0005, link (official, secondary)
- Product registration and facility inspection fees, USDA FAS, NI2026-0013, link (official, secondary)
- Products exempted from SONCAP, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, link (primary)
- Agrofood Nigeria 2027, fairtrade Messe, link (organiser)
This guide summarises official texts for exporters; it is not legal or tax advice. Rules change: check with your importer or with us before shipping.
Contact me
Exporting to Nigeria? Talk to Alexis.
Alexis Sourzac
General Manager EMEA
Tell us about your wines and the markets you have in mind. A person answers within one working day.