Sesame Seed Export Documentation from Nigeria: The Complete Checklist for Importers

Importers new to Nigeria ask the same question in different words: what paperwork should I expect, and how do I know my supplier is a legitimate exporter? Below is the documentation chain for a compliant sesame export from Nigeria, divided into what the exporter must hold, what is generated per shipment and what you should check on arrival.

A. What a legitimate sesame exporter must hold

• Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration — a registered Nigerian company.
• Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) exporter registration — the export licence, renewable and quoted on export documents.
• FPIS registration — exporters of graded produce register with the Federal Produce Inspection Service.
• Bank relationship for NXP processing — see below.

B. Documents generated per shipment

1. Pro-forma invoice / sales contract — type, specification, quantity and tolerance, packing, Incoterm, price, payment terms, shipment window.
2. NXP form — the Nigeria Export Proceeds form processed through an authorised dealer bank, required by the Central Bank of Nigeria for every commercial export.
3. FPIS grading / quality certificate — issued after inspection and sampling at the warehouse.
4. Laboratory certificate of analysis — moisture, purity, oil, FFA, aflatoxin and, as required, Salmonella and pesticide residues, from an accredited laboratory.
5. Phytosanitary certificate — issued by the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) after inspection.
6. Fumigation certificate — from a licensed fumigator (commonly phosphine), stating dosage and exposure.
7. Health certificate — where the destination requires one for food-grade seed.
8. Certificate of origin — issued through NEPC or a chamber of commerce; preferential forms where applicable.
9. Commercial invoice and packing list — final weights, bag counts, container and seal numbers.
10. Weight certificate / VGM — verified gross mass declaration for the carrier.
11. Customs export declaration — lodged by a licensed customs agent.
12. Bill of lading — issued by the shipping line once the container is on board.
13. Third-party inspection certificate — where the buyer appoints SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Cotecna.

C. Special note for EU buyers

Sesame seeds from Nigeria are listed under the EU's increased official controls regime for Salmonella and pesticide residues. Consignments must be accompanied by an official certificate and laboratory results from sampling performed in accordance with EU rules, and a proportion of consignments is physically tested at the border. Work with a supplier who understands the sampling and certificate format required — a missing or incorrectly issued document delays or rejects the container.

D. What to check at destination

• Container and seal numbers match across bill of lading, packing list and inspection report.
• Net weight and bag count match the invoice within the agreed tolerance.
• Specification on the lab certificate matches the contract.
• Phytosanitary, fumigation and health certificates are dated before departure and name the correct consignee and destination.

Red flags

Be cautious of any supplier who cannot quote an NEPC registration number, who proposes shipping food-grade sesame without a laboratory certificate, who asks for payment to a personal account, or who offers a price far below the market. Legitimate exporters are used to being asked for these details and provide them readily.

Renamy Sesame Nigeria prepares the full document set for every shipment and shares drafts with you for approval before the vessel sails. See our export process or contact our export team.