Nigeria is one of AliExpress biggest markets in Africa, and clothing is among the most imported product categories. If you are a fashion entrepreneur or simply shopping for yourself, knowing your import costs upfront is essential to avoid losing money at the port.
## Clothing Import Taxes in Nigeria
The Nigeria Customs Service applies the following charges on imported clothing:
- **Import Duty: 35%** on the CIF value - **VAT: 7.5%** on the CIF value plus import duty - **No additional levies** for standard clothing items
## Worked Example
You order three ankara print fabric sets from AliExpress at $18 each, total $54, with $12 shipping to Lagos.
| Cost Element | Amount (USD) | Amount (NGN) | |---|---|---| | Product Price | $54.00 | NGN 85,320 | | Shipping | $12.00 | NGN 18,960 | | CIF Subtotal | $66.00 | NGN 104,280 | | Import Duty 35% | $23.10 | NGN 36,498 | | VAT 7.5% | $6.68 | NGN 10,554 | | **Total Landed Cost** | **$95.78** | **NGN 151,332** |
## Important Notes for Nigerian Importers
Nigeria Customs enforcement at ports like Apapa and Tin Can can be unpredictable. Declared values are sometimes queried and assessed independently by customs officers. Always keep your original AliExpress order receipt as supporting documentation.
## De Minimis Threshold
Nigeria has a de minimis threshold of $50. Orders below this value may clear with minimal or no duty, though enforcement varies.
## Saving Money on Clothing Imports
1. Calculate your full landed cost on DutyBridge before ordering 2. Consider ordering in bulk to reduce the duty-to-product ratio 3. Use consolidation services in China to combine multiple orders into one shipment 4. Factor in port handling and clearing agent fees which typically add NGN 15,000 to NGN 50,000 per shipment
Use the DutyBridge calculator to get an instant estimate for your next AliExpress clothing order to Nigeria.