Shipping from Lagos to Canada: Frozen Air, Dry Air or Sea?
Sending a package from Lagos to a loved one in Canada? DAP Logistics Express offers three ways to ship: frozen-air cargo, dry-air cargo and dry-sea cargo. Each has its own price, clearance fee, minimum weight and timeline. This guide puts them side by side so you can choose with confidence.
The three options at a glance
| Service | Delivery time* | Shipping fee | Clearance fee | Minimum chargeable weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen-air cargo | 3-5 business days | ₦8,800/kg | 3.00 CAD/kg | 10 kg |
| Dry-air cargo | 2-3 weeks (7-15 business days) | ₦6,600/kg | 2.50 CAD/kg | 10 kg |
| Dry-sea cargo | About 3 months from ship date | ₦400/kg | 2 CAD/kg | 100 kg |
*Shipping timelines are not guaranteed due to airline and shipping line delays. Sea timing is counted from the shipping date, not the drop-off date.
Frozen-air cargo: the fastest option
Frozen-air is the quickest service, at 3-5 business days. The shipping fee is ₦8,800/kg plus a 3.00 CAD/kg clearance fee, with a 10 kg minimum chargeable weight.
Choose frozen-air when speed matters most, for example when a package needs to reach someone quickly.
Dry-air cargo: the everyday choice
Dry-air takes 2-3 weeks (7-15 business days). It costs ₦6,600/kg plus 2.50 CAD/kg clearance, again with a 10 kg minimum.
Dry-air suits the classic “box from home”: garri, elubo, pepper soup spice, Ofada rice, Milo, native attires and so on. It is also the only way to send well-dried fish, which is allowed by air cargo only.
Dry-sea cargo: the lowest price per kilo
Dry-sea is the budget option at ₦400/kg plus 2 CAD/kg clearance. The minimum chargeable weight is 100 kg, and shipments take about 3 months from the shipping date.
Sea is a good fit for large, non-urgent shipments, such as household items, cooking pots, mortar and pestle, books, bags, clothing and footwear, or a big load of dry foodstuffs.
How to choose
- Need it there fast? Frozen-air.
- Typical box of dry food and personal items, 10 kg or more? Dry-air.
- 100 kg or more and no rush? Dry-sea.
- Sending dried fish? Air only.
Fees to plan for
On top of shipping and clearance, budget for:
- Handling fee: ₦5,000 per customer
- Styrofoam boxes (price depends on size): ₦19,000 to ₦31,500
- Cartons: ₦1,000 to ₦3,000
- Vacuum seal bags: ₦1,000 to ₦2,000
- Pouches with labels: ₦400 to ₦500
Proper packing and labeling are mandatory for all food products in compliance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and supermarket-grade packaging is mandatory for food. Palm oil must be padded separately in brand-new kegs, and an extra cost applies for leakage protection.
What not to send
All animal products are completely prohibited (meat and chicken products such as ponmo and kilishi, milk in any form, corned beef). So are chicken-flavored seasonings, parboiled rice, herbs, seeds, sand or soil, charcoal, camphor, bleaching or whitening products, chemicals, drugs and medicines, fake designer wear, gold or valuable items, and hazardous items like explosives, flammables, aerosols and pressurized cans. See our full allowed and prohibited food list on our blog.
Where to drop off
DAP Logistics Express, #19 Ajao Road, Ikeja, 101233, Lagos.
Landmarks: before WEMABOD Estate gate, off Obafemi Awolowo Way. Ajao Road is adjacent to Olowu junction, and the office is after Shekinah Plaza.
Customs disclaimer
All shipments are subject to customs examination, inspection and regulatory control in both exporting and importing countries. Prohibited, improperly declared or non-compliant items may be refused entry, seized, destroyed at the importer’s expense, returned at extra cost, or attract penalties, and delays beyond the carrier’s control may occur. DAP Logistics Express Ltd. and partners are not responsible for losses arising from customs enforcement actions. Once payment is made, you have agreed to these guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to ship from Lagos to Canada?
Frozen-air cargo, at 3-5 business days (not guaranteed).
How much is dry-air shipping?
₦6,600/kg plus 2.50 CAD/kg clearance, with a 10 kg minimum.
How long does sea shipping take?
About 3 months from the shipping date. Timelines are not guaranteed.
What is the minimum weight for sea?
100 kg.
Is there a handling fee?
Yes, ₦5,000 per customer.
Can I ship dried fish by sea?
No. Well-dried fish is allowed by air cargo only.
Ready to Ship from Lagos to Canada?
Visit DAP Logistics Express Ltd at #19 Ajao Road, Ikeja, Lagos, email info@daplogisticsexpress.com, or get a quote. Call +234 703 053 7899. Sending from Canada to Nigeria? Our partner Yumee Express in Calgary: +1 403 918 8232.