The Mediterranean Shipping Company has introduced a Peak Season Surcharge of up to $3,000 (over N4.1m at the July 13 CBN rate) on imports into Nigeria and West Africa from the Indian Subcontinent.
In an advisory shared with customers, the world’s largest shipper said its decision was influenced by increasing demand along the route amid limited operations.
“Due to strong demand on the trade between IPAK and West Africa, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company will apply a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) to all cargo from the Indian Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) to West Africa,” it wrote.
“As of 10 July 2026 (gate-in date) until further notice, the PSS will be charged as follows for all cargoes: $2000 for 20’ Dry and Reefer, $3000 for 40’ Dry and Reefer.”
Nigeria gets the majority of its pharmaceutical and motorcycle imports from the Indian subcontinent, especially India. In the first quarter of the year, Nigeria spent N75.6 billion on imports of pharmaceuticals from India and an additional N80 billion on “Motorcycles and cycles fitted with auxiliary motor, petrol fuel, capacity >50<250cc, CKD”, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Pakistan also accounted for N5.2 billion of pharmaceutical imports.
