The short answer
Nigeria exports sesame, dried ginger, hibiscus, cocoa, shea butter and packaged African foods to the U.S. NAFDAC registration does not count with FDA, and sesame and dried botanicals are where most detentions happen.
What Nigerian exporters should watch for
🌾 Sesame
Sesame firms appear on the Red List of FDA’s Salmonella import alert (99-19). Sesame is also a U.S. major allergen that must be declared. Test every lot and control drying and storage.
🫚 Dried ginger and hibiscus
Dried botanicals are tested for Salmonella, filth and mycotoxins. Processors and packers must register with FDA.
🧴 Shea butter
Raw shea butter sold as an ingredient is not a finished cosmetic under MoCRA. Shea packed for consumers’ skin is a cosmetic and needs MoCRA registration and listing; claims to heal skin conditions make it a drug.
🍲 Packaged African foods
Seasonings, flours and snacks need registered facilities, English labels, Nutrition Facts and declared allergens. Watch for colors not approved by FDA.
Common reasons Nigerian shipments are stopped
- Salmonella in sesame and dried botanicals
- Filth and mycotoxins in ginger and spices
- Unapproved colors in seasonings
- Undeclared sesame on labels
- Facility not registered or NAFDAC used instead of FDA
🏢 No U.S. company to act as FSVP importer? Orionex offers an FSVP importer service for food and dietary supplements — from $80 per shipment, with the program and Qualified Individual included.
What you need to register — and what it costs
| Product type | FDA requirement | Orionex price |
|---|---|---|
| Food, beverages, supplements | Food facility registration + U.S. Agent, renewed every 2 years; Prior Notice for each shipment | $300/year or $450 for 2 years |
| Cosmetics | MoCRA facility registration (every 2 years) + product listing + U.S. Agent | $300/year or $450 for 2 years; listing $150/product |
| Medical devices | Establishment registration (yearly, FDA fee paid separately) + device listing; 510(k) for many Class II devices | $550/year; listing $50/device |
| Drugs (incl. OTC) | Drug establishment registration (yearly) + NDC labeler code + drug listing | $550/year; listing $350/product |
Every Orionex registration includes the U.S. Agent service, D-U-N-S number set-up where needed and a Certificate of Registration. All prices →
Tell us your products — we’ll confirm what you need to register, in writing, by email.
Frequently asked questions
Is NAFDAC registration accepted by the U.S. FDA?
No. NAFDAC approvals apply in Nigeria only. A Nigerian facility exporting food, cosmetics or other FDA-regulated products to the U.S. needs its own FDA registration and a U.S. Agent, plus Prior Notice for each food shipment.
Why is Nigerian sesame detained by FDA?
Mainly for Salmonella. Firms with positive results go on Import Alert 99-19 and their shipments are held until each lot is tested clean. Clean drying, storage and lot testing prevent most detentions.
Sources
- FDA Import Alert 99-19 — Salmonella (notes separate alerts for black pepper from India and Brazil)
- FDA — Registration & Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products
- eCFR — 21 CFR Part 1 Subpart H, Registration of Food Facilities
Checked against FDA and other official sources on November 11, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.