Nigeria Shipping Surcharge to Reach $700 per TEU in November
Importers of goods from China should prepare for higher landed costs starting November 1 when the new surcharge takes effect.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Transportation
Live Poll
Do you expect the cost of imported goods to increase due to rising shipping surcharges?
CMA CGM will implement a $700 per TEU peak season surcharge on cargo from China to Nigeria starting November 1, 2026. The increase applies to dry and refrigerated containers under short-term contracts as part of a broader adjustment of shipping fees across West Africa.
Why it matters
These adjustments directly impact the landed costs for businesses importing goods from China, necessitating a review of current shipping agreements and inventory pricing. Shipping lines frequently adjust these fees to manage capacity and demand volatility during peak seasonal windows.
CMA CGM is setting surcharges at $700 per TEU for Nigeria, while other nations including Angola, Congo, Gabon, and Cameroon face $900 per TEU. These rates apply to shipments from China on short-term contracts, with varying costs compared to the $400 per TEU fee for Senegal.
The players
CMA CGM
A global shipping and logistics company operating an extensive fleet of container vessels and providing international freight services.
The details
The surcharge mechanism applies to both dry and refrigerated containers under short-term ocean freight contracts. Businesses must verify specific rates through the carrier's online price and tariff finder, as the line files these adjustments with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange or embeds them directly into ocean freight rate structures. The current tiered strategy reflects varying demand profiles for different West African ports.
Timeline
November 1, 2026: The $700 per TEU surcharge for Nigeria takes effect.
October 22, 2026: The $350 per TEU surcharge for Central Range destinations took effect.
October 15, 2026: The $200 per TEU surcharge for central and southern China shipments took effect.
Market Landscape
CMA CGM is utilizing the established filing protocols of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange to formalize these updated surcharge rates. This follows a broader trend of shipping lines applying tiered peak season fees to manage transit demand and equipment repositioning costs across specific trade corridors.
Importers should update their landed cost models for all short-term contract shipments originating from China to Nigeria before the November 1 effective date. Proactively audit current contract terms and utilize the carrier’s online portal to confirm specific charges before booking, as these fees vary significantly by destination port.
The takeaway
Rising surcharges signal an immediate need to re-evaluate procurement margins on China-to-Nigeria routes. Confirm the specific surcharge tier for your destination port by monitoring the carrier's online tariff charge finder regularly.
Further reading
Operators can find additional updates on global logistics trends in our Transportation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Businessday NG.
Live Poll
Do you expect the cost of imported goods to increase due to rising shipping surcharges?
