Sea Freight from UK to Nigeria — Everything You Need to Know
Sea freight is the most cost-effective way to ship large, heavy, or bulky cargo from the UK to Nigeria. Whether you're shipping a few boxes, several barrels, or even a full container, sea freight could save you significantly compared to air freight.
This guide covers everything — current 2026 pricing, what each option includes, and when sea freight makes sense for you.
What Is Sea Freight?
Goods are professionally packed and palletised at our UK warehouse before being loaded into containers for sea freight to Nigeria.
Sea freight involves shipping your cargo in containers aboard ocean vessels from UK ports — typically Tilbury or Felixstowe — to Nigerian ports such as Apapa (Lagos) or Tin Can Island.
While slower than air freight, sea freight is significantly cheaper per kilogram and has no practical weight limits, making it ideal for:
- Large household relocations
- Furniture and white goods
- Commercial goods and business imports
- Bulk personal shipments
2026 Sea Freight Pricing from UK to Nigeria
📦 Per Kilogram — Small & Medium Shipments
For smaller consolidated sea freight shipments:
| Weight | Price per kg |
|---|---|
| 30kg – 99kg | £2.50/kg |
| 100kg – 299kg | £2.20/kg |
| 300kg+ | £1.90/kg |
Minimum weight: 30kg applies to consolidated (LCL) sea freight bookings.
📦 Per Box / Per CBM — General Goods
If you're shipping standard-size boxes or measuring by cubic metre (CBM):
| Item / Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Box (100×65×70 cm) | £150 per box |
| Ghana Must Go Bag | ~£90 per bag |
| General Goods | ~£320 per CBM |
| Furniture | ~£400 per CBM |
CBM = cubic metres. 1 CBM = 100cm × 100cm × 100cm.
🛢️ Barrels
Barrels are a popular way to ship clothing, food, and household goods to Nigeria. Pricing depends on the destination state:
| Barrel Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard barrel (most states) | £150 |
| Remote destination states | £220 |
Barrels are durable, widely used, and cost-effective for families sending personal goods to Nigeria.
🚢 Full Container Load (FCL)
For large commercial imports, household relocations, or high-volume shipments:
| Container Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 20ft Container | from £3,500 |
| 40ft Container | from £5,500 |
FCL is the most cost-effective option per kg when you have enough volume to fill a container.
What does FCL include?
- UK warehouse loading
- Sea freight from UK to Nigerian port
- Nigerian port handling
Nigerian import duties, customs clearance, and inland delivery are quoted separately for FCL shipments.
Sea Freight vs Air Freight — Which Is Right for You?
Air freight (above) is faster but more expensive. Sea freight is cheaper per kg but takes 4–8 weeks.
| Sea Freight | Air Freight | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per kg | £1.90–£2.50/kg | £5.50–£8.00/kg |
| Transit Time | 4–8 weeks | 5–10 working days |
| Minimum Weight | 30kg | From 1kg |
| Best For | Furniture, bulk goods | Clothes, electronics, food |
| Tracking | Limited | Real-time |
When Should You Choose Sea Freight?
Sea freight is the right choice when:
- ✅ You are not in a rush — transit takes 4–8 weeks
- ✅ You are shipping heavy or bulky items — furniture, barrels, machinery
- ✅ You want to minimise cost per kg for large shipments
- ✅ You are relocating and shipping personal effects or household goods
- ✅ You are importing commercially and need a full container
What Can You Ship via Sea Freight to Nigeria?
Sea freight allows for a wider range of goods than air freight, including:
- 🪑 Furniture (sofas, wardrobes, tables, chairs)
- 📺 Large electronics (TVs, home appliances, white goods)
- 🥁 Musical instruments
- 🚗 Vehicle parts and accessories
- 🛖 Building materials
- 📦 Large commercial consignments
- 👗 Bulk clothing and personal effects
How to Book Sea Freight from UK to Nigeria
At the Nigeria end, goods are delivered directly to your receiver — even on sea freight bookings with door delivery included.
- Contact us with your shipment details — weight, dimensions, and Nigerian destination
- Receive a custom quote based on your specific cargo
- We arrange collection or depot drop-off at our West Thurrock hub
- Cargo is loaded and shipped from UK port
- We handle customs clearance at the Nigerian port
- Delivery to your Nigerian address (optional door delivery)
Get a Sea Freight Quote Today
For sea freight enquiries, contact our team directly:
📞 +447397715805 (WhatsApp available) 📧 sales@naijacargo-express.co.uk 🕘 Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm
Or visit our contact page → to send us a message with your cargo details.
NaijaCargo Express — trusted for air and sea freight from the UK to Nigeria, serving all 36 states.
