Nigerian importers may face higher importation costs in the coming weeks following a fresh $500 surcharge introduced by French shipping company, CMA CGM, on cargo headed for Nigeria and other West African destinations.

The global shipping giant, in a notice published on its official website, disclosed that the new charge will apply to goods shipped from North-East Asia, South-East Asia, China, and Hong Kong & Macau SAR. The surcharge, targeted at twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of both dry and reefer containers, will take effect on September 15, 2025, and remain until further notice.

According to the company, the move is part of efforts to ensure consistent and efficient service delivery during the peak shipping season. “In a continued effort to provide our customers with reliable and efficient services, CMA CGM informs its customers of the following Peak Season Surcharge starting from September 15, 2025, until further notice. Origin: North-East Asia, South-East Asia, China, and Hong Kong & Macau SAR. Destination: West Africa. Cargo: Dry & Reefer. Amounts: $500 per TEU. Applicable on short-term contracts,” the statement read.

The announcement has, however, sparked criticism among industry players. A former interim National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Pius Ujubuonu, described the surcharge as an act of exploitation.

Ujubuonu, who now serves as ANLCA’s Head of Planning and Strategy, argued that peak season surcharges are ordinarily meant to favor shipping companies during periods of high demand. “Instead of taking advantage of increased transactions to boost their revenue naturally, they are deliberately burdening customers. It’s the same pattern we see with War Risk Insurance charges. Sadly, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has failed to take a decisive stand on such issues,” he said, adding that the matter would be formally brought to the attention of the Council.

Similarly, the Deputy President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr. Segun Musa, stressed that the decision would worsen the already high cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

“This may look minor, but when factored into overall import costs, it becomes a significant burden. It clearly undermines government’s ongoing efforts to reduce port charges. Stakeholders must urgently meet to deliberate on its broader implications,” Musa stated.

The development comes at a time when businesses and importers are already grappling with rising operating costs and foreign exchange challenges.