Contraband Goods in Nigeria that are Prohibited and Restricted by the Law

Whenever we hear the word “Contraband”, a lot of thoughts do run true our minds. But, this very article will be educating us, especially people who are into the import business. That’s bringing goods from other countries to sell in Nigeria.

The Nigeria government through its custom service commission has released a list of illegal goods that are not to be allowed into the country. So, as an importer, you need to avoid importing these goods so as to keep yourself on the safe side without risk.

For those of you who are still trying to figure out what is meant by Import, it’s simply the bringing in of goods or services into a country from abroad for sale.

So, while trading here, you need to know which goods are regarded as contraband goods in the country to avoid facing a penalty that may even cost your life.

contraband-goods-in-Nigeria

Now, let’s look at this first before we then proceed to see the list of Contraband Goods in Nigeria.

Frequently Ask Questions on Contraband Goods In Nigeria

What are Contraband Goods?

In a nutshell, contraband goods are these types of goods are goods that are not approved to be traded in the country by the law.

These contraband goods are not to be either imported or exported. If anyone is found running this business, he/she will be handed over to the law enforcement agency in charge of that.

Also, See the Nigeria Export Prohibition List.

List of Contraband Goods in Nigeria

  1. Air Pistols
  2. Airmail Photographic Printing Paper
  3. All counterfeit/ pirated materials or articles including Base or Counterfeit Coin of any Country
  4. Beads composed of inflammable celluloid or other similar substances
  5. Blank Invoices
  6. Coupons for foreign football pools or other betting arrangements
  7. Cowries
  8. Exhausted tea or tea mixed with other substances. For the purposes of this item, “exhausted tea” means any tea which has been deprived of its proper quality, strength, or virtue by steeping, infusion, decoction, or other means
  9. Implements appertaining to the reloading of cartridges
  10. Indecent or obscene prints, painting, books, cards, engraving, or any indecent or obscene articles
  11. Manilas
  12. Matches made with white phosphorous
  13. Materials of any description with a design which, considering the purpose for which any such material is intended to be used, is likely in – the opinion of the president to create a breach of the peace or to offend the religious views of any class of persons in Nigeria
  14. Meat, Vegetables or other provisions declared by a health officer to be unfit for human consumption
  15. Piece goods and all other textiles including wearing apparel, the hardware of all kinds, crockery, and china or earthenware goods bearing inscriptions (whether in Roman or Arabic characters) from the Koran or from the traditions and commentaries on the Koran
  16. Pistols disguised in any form
  17. Second-hand clothing
  18. Silver or metal alloy coins not being legal tender in Nigeria
  19. Nuclear Industrial waste and other Toxic waste
  20. Spirits:
    1. Other than:
      • Alcoholic bitters, liqueurs, cordials, and mixtures admitted as such in his discretion by the Comptroller-General and which are not deemed to be injurious spirits within the meaning of any enactment or law relating to liquor or liquor licencing
      • Brandy, i.e. Spirit Distilled in Grape – growing countries from fermented grape juice and from no other materials and Stored in wood for a period of three years
      • Drugs and medicinal spirits admitted as such in his discretion by the Comptroller-General ​
      • Gin, i.e. Spirit – Produced by distillation from a mixed mash of cereal grains only saccharified by the diastase of malt and the Flavoured by redistillation with juniper berries and other vegetable ingredients and of a brand which has been notified as an approved brand by notice in the Gazette and in containers labelled with the name and address of the owner of the brand or
        Produced by distillation at least three times in a pot still from mixed mash of barley, rye and maize saccharified by diastase of malt and then rectified by re-distillation in a pot still after the addition of juniper berries and other vegetable materials
      • Methylated or denatured spirit, i.e. Mineralized Methylated spirit mixed as follows: to every ninety parts by volume of spirits nine and one-half parts by volume of wood naphtha and one-half of one part by volume of crude pyridine and to every 455 litres of the mixture 1.7 litres of mineral naphtha or petroleum oil and not less than 0.7 grammes by weight of powdered aniline dye (Methyl violet) and so in proportion for any quantity less than 455 litres and
        Industrial Methylated spirit imported under license from the Comptroller-General and mixed as follows: to every ninety-five parts by volume of spirits five parts by volume of wood naphtha and also one-half of one part by volume of the mixture and
        Spirits denatured for a particular purpose in such a manner as the Comptroller-General in any special circumstance may permit
      • Perfumed Spirits
      • Rum i.e. Spirit – Distilled directly from sugar-cane products in sugar-cane growing countries and
        Stored in wood for a period of three years
      • Spirits imported for medical or scientific purposes, subject to such conditions as the Comptroller-General may prescribe
      • Spirits totally unfit for use as portable spirits admitted to entry as such in the discretion by the Comptroller-General
      • Whisky, i.e. Spirit – Obtained by distillation from a mash or cereal grains saccharified by diastase of malt and stored in wood for a period of three years
    2. Containing more than forty-eight and one-half per centum of pure alcohol by volume except denatured, medicated and perfumed spirits, and such other spirits which the Comptroller-General, in his discretion, may allow being imported subject to such conditions as he may see fit to Impose
    3. Weapons of any description which in the opinion of the Comptroller-General are designed for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas, or other similar substance and any ammunition containing or in the opinion of the Comptroller- General or adapted to contain any noxious liquid, gas, or other similar substances

Final Word

It’s being said that obedience is always better than sacrifice. So, to avoid the aforestated penalty. We urge you to adhere to the country’s “List of Contraband Goods in Nigeria”.