FG Restricts Importation of Cement, Poultry, Pharmaceuticals, Others as New 2026 Trade Policy Takes Effect

The Federal Government has placed a ban on the importation of several goods, including poultry products, cement, pharmaceuticals, and selected agricultural items from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The decision is contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by the Minister, Wale Edun, dated April 1, 2026.

The circular lists 17 items under the revised import prohibition framework, which forms part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and tariff adjustments, replacing the 2023 policy regime.

According to the document, the restriction applies to certain goods originating from non-ECOWAS countries.

It stated: “Import Prohibition list (Trade), applicable only to certain goods originating from non-ECOWAS Member States. It consists of 17 items.”

“In addition, a grace period of ninety (90) days shall be granted to all importers who had opened Form ‘M’ and must have entered into irrevocable Trade Agreement before the coming into effect of this circular,” the statement added.

However, all new import transactions from April 1, 2026, will now fall under the updated import duty regime.

The restricted items include live or frozen poultry, beef and pork products, eggs (with limited exemptions), refined vegetable oils, sugar, cocoa-based products, tomatoes, non-alcoholic beverages, bagged cement, certain medicaments, fertilisers, soaps and detergents, paper products, glass bottles, steel products, as well as ballpoint pens and their components.

In addition, the Federal Government introduced a two per cent green tax surcharge on imported motor vehicles with engine capacities ranging from 2009cc to above 4000cc.

The ministry said the new fiscal measures will be officially published in the Federal Government Gazette.

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