Guide
Shipping glass bottles to Nigeria: Apapa, Tin Can Island, SONCAP & clearance.
The practical version — what terms to choose, which documents appear when, and how to keep a container of glass moving from our factory floor to your Lagos warehouse without demurrage surprises.
Routes
Lanes we ship on.
| Lane | Port of discharge | Typical transit | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| South China cluster → Lagos | Apapa (Lagos Port Complex) | ~30–38 days | Weekly services |
| South China cluster → Lagos | Tin Can Island | ~30–38 days | Weekly services |
| Samples & urgent spares | Air via LOS | 5–8 days door-to-door | On demand |
Transit times are sailing times from Chinese cluster ports; confirm the current schedule with the booking when you order.
Terms
FOB, CIF, CFR — what each means for you.
| Term | We handle | You handle | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOB (free on board) | Production, inland haulage, export customs, loading | Ocean freight, insurance, Nigerian clearance | You have a trusted forwarder and want control of the freight cost |
| CIF Lagos | All of the above + ocean freight + insurance to Lagos | Port charges, clearing, haulage to warehouse | First containers, or when you want one predictable invoice |
| EXW / FCA | Production and handover at factory | Everything from our gate onwards | Your own freight consolidator collects in China |
Compliance
SONCAP, NAFDAC and the importer's side.
Glassware imported into Nigeria moves under the SONCAP conformity programme. In practice:
- Product certificate — held for the product range; our test reports feed the application.
- Batch certificate (SC) — issued per shipment against the invoice and B/L; we supply the evidence pack each time.
- Food-contact reports — for bottles touching food, cosmetics or perfume oils, issued per batch range and accepted in NAFDAC processes.
- Your side: Form M, PAAR, and any NAFDAC product registration for what you fill into the bottles. Our documents are prepared to slot straight into those applications.
Packing
Glass travels. We pack for it.
Inner cartons
Dividers per layer; bottles stand neck-up, caps packed separately when needed.
Master cartons
Double-wall board, drop-test standard for sea freight.
Pallets & wrap
Shrink-wrapped and strapped for the road leg from Apapa to your warehouse.
Loading check
Photo report at container loading — count, condition, seal number.
FAQ
Clearance questions, answered.
FOB or CIF — which is better for a first container to Lagos?
Most first-time importers choose CIF Lagos: we book the vessel and pay the ocean freight, and your clearing agent handles the port side. Once you have a reliable agent and freight forwarder, FOB gives you more control over the shipping line.
How many bottles fit in one 40HQ container?
Depending on the model, a 40HQ holds roughly 35,000 to 60,000 bottles of 30–100ml packed in cartons on pallets. We can calculate the exact load for your chosen models before you commit.
What documents arrive with the shipment?
Bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, insurance certificate (CIF) and — where required — the SONCAP batch certificate. We send document scans before the vessel sails so Form M and PAAR can start early.
How do I avoid demurrage at Apapa?
Start Form M as soon as the bill of lading is issued, keep the PAAR process moving with complete documents, and clear the container within the free days. We provide all documents in advance and can split documentation into two batches if you are combining orders.
Is the glass food-contact safe?
Our glass is tested to food-contact standards and we provide the test reports per batch range. For products regulated by NAFDAC, your own product registration remains the importer's responsibility; our reports support that process.