Full List: Items You can no longer Import into Nigeria

The Federal Government has rolled out a revised import restriction policy targeting goods from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as part of its 2026 fiscal measures.

In a directive issued by the Ministry of Finance and signed by the Minister, Wale Edun, the government outlined 17 categories of items now prohibited from importation under the updated trade policy. The move is aimed at strengthening local production, regulating imports, and aligning with broader economic reforms.

Authorities also introduced a 90-day transition window starting from April 1, 2026, allowing importers with existing agreements and completed Form ‘M’ documentation to clear their goods under the previous duty structure. However, all new import transactions from that date will be subject to the updated regulations.

Below are list of the items on the revised import prohibition list:

(1). Live or dead birds, including frozen poultry

(2). Pork/beef, including tongues, livers, and shoulders of bovine animals

(3). Bird eggs, excluding hatching eggs of grand parent stock for breeding and research purposes

(4). Refined vegetable oil, excluding refined linseed, castor oil, olive oil, and hydrogenated vegetable fats, and crude vegetable oil

(5). Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form containing added flavouring or colouring matters

(6). Cocoa butter, powder and cakes, including fat and oil of cocoa and natural cocoa butter

(7). Tomatoes, whole or in pieces, tomato paste or concentrates

(8). Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or sweetening matter or flavoured, once snow, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages

(9). Bagged cement

(10). Medicament (medicine) under several headings

(11). Waste pharmaceuticals

(12). Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the three fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK)

(13). Soaps and detergents

(14). Corrugated paper and paper boards, cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper and paper boards

(15). Hollow glass bottles of a capacity exceeding 150 mis (0.15 litres), such as carboys, bottles and flasks

(16). Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600mm or more, clad, plated or coated – corrugated

(17). Ball point pen and parts, including refills (excluding tip) for Ball point pens, comprising the Ball point and ink-reservoir