Market News
Over 70% of Nigerian export shipments to U.S. refused entry, operator alleges - THE GUARDIAN
By : Adaku Onyenucheya
Nigerian exporters have lamented that over 70 per cent of their shipments have been refused entry and put on hold by the United States since the full enforcement of President Donald Trump’s 14 per cent tariff regulations on April 2, 2025.
The Chief Commercial Officer of AAJ Express Logistics Limited, Ini Daniel, claimed Nigerian exporters are grappling with unprecedented challenges in shipping goods to the U.S.
He revealed that reports indicate cargo and courier companies are encountering severe difficulties with clearance into the United States, resulting in a crisis for exporters.
Recall that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) recently reported a 24.4 per cent decline in export activity in the first quarter of 2025 compared to Q1 2024, and a 6.4 per cent drop from Q4 2024.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, noted that the decline occurred despite a surge in export volume to 5.03 billion kilogrammes, a 348 per cent increase from Q1 2024.
Daniel told The Guardian that this alarming trend has caused substantial delays, creating immense challenges for shippers and importers operating in the U.S. market.
He said the turmoil has been felt acutely within the airline industry, where carriers are now forced to offer significant discounts or even free returns due to the chaos surrounding tariff enforcement.
Adding to the frustration, Daniel stated that exporters are left in a fog of confusion, as officials have not provided clear explanations for the refusals.
“This dilemma is not unique to Nigeria; exporters from various European nations, China, and other African countries are similarly affected by the new regulations,” he said.
Industry experts are, however, advising Nigerian exporters to temporarily suspend shipments to the U.S. until clearer guidelines are established by U.S. Customs.
Daniel said with uncertainty hanging in the air, exporters are anxiously awaiting clarity on demand and hope for a resolution that will allow them to resume smooth trading operations with the United States.
