Household goods to Nigeria: what you arrange in the Netherlands, and what to ask
If you move your belongings to Nigeria, you make an export declaration with an inventory list in the Netherlands. What the Nigerian customs asks on arrival, we could not read at the source. For plants and animal products you need a permit from the quarantine service. And if you ever come back, Dutch Customs decides whether your belongings may come in tax-free.
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Written and checked by Auke on , against the sources at the bottom. Is something no longer right? Report it below and I'll fix it.
If you move your household goods to Nigeria, it starts with Dutch Customs: for household goods going to a country outside the EU you make an export declaration, with an inventory list of everything you take. What the Nigeria Customs Service asks on arrival, and whether household goods enter free of import duties, we could not check: the Nigerian customs site refuses automated requests, and we found no official copy of the rules. For plants, seeds and animal products a permit from the quarantine service applies in any case.
What is certain, and what do you need to ask?
| Topic | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Export from the Netherlands | export declaration at Dutch Customs, with an inventory list | Douane |
| Import into Nigeria, relief for household goods | not found at an official source | — |
| Animals and animal products | import permit, health certificate and sometimes laboratory results | NAQS |
| Time for an import permit | 5 working days from the application | NAQS |
| Drugs | forbidden, including soft drugs; sentences up to life | NederlandWereldwijd |
| Medicines | take enough, in the original packaging, and check whether you need a declaration | NederlandWereldwijd |
| Back to the Netherlands, tax-free | lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, goods owned for at least 6 months, imported within 12 months | Douane |
What do you arrange in the Netherlands?
The export declaration. According to Dutch Customs, you hand in an inventory list of the things you take. Make that list carefully, with per box what is in it and what it is worth. Take a copy to Nigeria; later it is also your proof when you come back. Also ask in the country of destination which customs matters you need to arrange, Dutch Customs writes; you do that at the Nigerian embassy in The Hague or through an international removal company.
A car has its own rules; see car and driving licence in Nigeria.
What does the Nigerian customs ask?
We could not read that at the source. Which documents you need on arrival, whether household goods enter free of import duties, which conditions apply to new items and which goods are prohibited: have it confirmed in writing before you book a container.
Don't take over rules from forums or removal guides without having them confirmed by the Nigeria Customs Service or the embassy. Ask in particular whether your residence permit or your CERPAC must be in place before your belongings arrive, and whether you must be present yourself at customs clearance.
May plants, seeds and food come along?
For animals and animal products, according to its own questionnaire, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) asks for a health certificate, laboratory results for specific diseases and an import permit. Such a permit takes 5 working days from the application. For plants and plant products a phytosanitary certificate is the standard, and for endangered species you also need a CITES permit from the Federal Ministry of Environment. The NAQS also mentions that importing cassava stems and plant parts is prohibited. So leave seeds, cuttings and food at home, unless you have the papers. A pet is a separate process: see your pet to Nigeria.
Which papers do you take along?
Your diplomas, birth and marriage certificates, and for the children their school records. According to DUO, you first have a Dutch diploma legalised at DUO, then at a court or the Consular Service Centre, and often also at the embassy of the country you are going to. Ask the Nigerian embassy which stamps it wants to see.
If you have Nigerian documents you will need later in the Netherlands, such as a Nigerian birth or marriage certificate, according to NederlandWereldwijd you have them legalised by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A birth certificate must then come from the National Population Commission. Documents in English don't need to be translated.
And if you come back?
Then you can import your household goods tax-free if you lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, owned and used the goods for at least 6 months, and import them within 12 months after moving to the Netherlands. For 12 months after that you may not lend, rent out or sell them. So keep your inventory list and your receipts. More in moving back to the Netherlands. The order of the move is in the plan for Nigeria.
In Vertrekklaar this is phase 4 of 5 of the journey, step 4.2: the same steps, but for your situation — in your order, tickable, and with the deadlines watched. See the whole journey to Nigeria or go straight to step 4.2 in the open plan.
What this rests on
The facts in this article come from these official pages. Rules change. When in doubt, go by the source, not this article.
- Dutch Customs — moving to a country outside the EU, the export declaration with an inventory list — douane.nl
- Dutch Customs — back to the Netherlands from a country outside the EU, the relief for household goods — douane.nl
- Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service — frequently asked questions, permits and the 5-working-day term — naqs.gov.ng
- NederlandWereldwijd — travel advice for Nigeria, drugs, medicines and what you may take (changed 6 July 2026) — nederlandwereldwijd.nl
- DUO — legalising a Dutch diploma for use abroad — duo.nl
- NederlandWereldwijd — legalising Nigerian documents for use in the Netherlands — nederlandwereldwijd.nl
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