How to Import a Crane to Nigeria: SONCAP, Pengiriman, Payment and Duty
Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing markets for overhead crane, derek gantry and electric hoists in West Afrika. Port expansion in Lagos and Onne, steel fabrication yards in Ogun State, and new warehouses around Abuja all need lifting equipment. But importing a crane into Nigeria is not the same as buying one. SONCAP certification, Form M, shipping terms, payment structure and import duty each add cost and time if you handle them late. This guide explains what to prepare before you place a purchase order with a Chinese crane manufacturer.
Step 1: Confirm the Crane Specification First
Nigerian importers often lose weeks because the crane was ordered with the wrong span or voltage. Before requesting a quote, confirm:
- Jenis derek and capacity: an LD single-girder overhead crane (0.5โ20T) suits light workshops; an LH hoist double-girder crane (5โ50T) fits medium fabrication bays; a QD universal double-girder crane (5โ150T) is used for heavy steel and port work.
- Span and lift height: measured against your actual building columns, not a drawing from another site.
- Voltage and frequency: Nigeria runs 415V/50Hz in most industrial areas. Motors, contactors and the control panel must be built for this, not 380V/50Hz or 440V/60Hz.
- Duty class: a crane working 8 hours a day in a steel mill needs a different duty class than one used twice a shift in a warehouse.
Chunhua Crane builds to GB/T 3811 as standard and can supply to FEM 1.001, DIN 15018 or CMAA #70 on request. Steel is Q345B/Q235B, with Schneider, Siemens, ABB or SEW components specified for the electrical and drive systems.
Step 2: Understand SONCAP Before You Ship
SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme) is the single most common reason crane shipments are held at Nigerian ports. It applies to regulated products, and lifting equipment falls within scope. The process has three parts:
- Product Certificate (PC): obtained by the exporter or manufacturer before shipment, based on test reports and factory inspection. It is valid for one year and covers a product model range.
- Form M: opened by the Nigerian importer through their bank, with the proforma invoice attached. No Form M means no SONCAP clearance and no bank payment channel.
- SONCAP Certificate (SC): issued per shipment after the goods are inspected and the PC is presented. The SC is what Nigerian Customs and the bank require for clearance.
Ask your supplier early whether they can support SONCAP documentation. Chunhua Crane holds CE, CCC, EAC (TR CU 010/020), GCC/SASO, SONCAP and KEBS certifications across its 81 standard models, which shortens the paperwork stage considerably.
Step 3: Choose the Right Pengiriman Method
Crane are oversized cargo, so shipping is not a simple container booking.
- Full container (FCL): best for KBK light rail systems, jib cranes (BZD pillar / BX wall-mount), MD/CD electric hoists and DHP electric chain hoists. A 20ft or 40ft container from Shanghai or Qingdao to Lagos (Apapa or Tin Can) is the cheapest per-unit option.
- Break bulk or flat rack: required for derek gantry (MH single-girder, MG double-girder) and larger double-girder overhead crane where the main girder exceeds container length.
- Port choice: Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can, Lekki) handles most crane imports. Onne is practical for Port Harcourt and eastern industrial projects.
Always confirm Incoterms. FOB Chinese port gives you control over freight and insurance. CIF Lagos is simpler but you lose visibility on the freight forwarder and cannot easily claim if damage occurs in transit.
Step 4: Payment Structure That Protects Both Sides
The standard structure for crane exports to Nigeria is 30% deposit, 70% before shipment, paid by T/T. For larger orders, some buyers use an irrevocable L/C at sight opened through a Nigerian bank and confirmed by a Chinese bank. Avoid paying 100% in advance, and avoid suppliers who refuse any inspection before the balance payment. A pre-shipment inspection, either by your own engineer or a third party, is normal practice and should be written into the contract.
Step 5: Calculate Import Duty and Landed Cost
Nigerian import duty on cranes and hoisting machinery is assessed under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff. Most overhead and derek gantry fall in a 5โ10% duty band, but the total landed cost also includes:
- Import duty: biasanya 5โ10% of CIF value, depending on HS code.
- VAT: 7.5% on the duty-inclusive value.
- ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) levy: 0.5% of CIF.
- CISS: 1% of CIF.
- SONCAP and inspection fees: charged by the appointed agency.
- Port and terminal charges: vary by terminal and dwell time.
Budget roughly 20โ25% above the CIF value to cover duty, VAT, levies and clearance. Delays at Apapa can add demurrage quickly, so have your clearing agent and SONCAP certificate ready before the vessel berths.
Practical Advice for Nigerian Buyers
Order the crane with the correct voltage and duty class the first time. Confirm SONCAP support in writing before paying the deposit. Use FOB terms if you have a reliable freight forwarder. Keep 12-month warranty terms and spare parts lists in the contract โ Chunhua Crane provides a 12-month warranty and a 4-hour quote response, with production biasanya 30โ45 days. For a specific crane configuration, contact the export team on WhatsApp +86 193 9277 7259 or email yuhua0095@gmail.com with your span, capacity, lift height and voltage.