Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$239.3M
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$583.5M
August 2026
Trade surplus
$344.2M
August 2026 · U.S. exports more than it imports
In August 2026 the United States imported $239.3M from Nigeria and exported $583.5M to it, across 373 imported product categories.
Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $3.7B from Nigeria and exported $5.9B to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade surplus of $344.2M with Nigeria, exporting 2.4× as much as it imported. Compared with August 2025, U.S. goods imports from Nigeria in August 2026 (preliminary) were 46% lower, and exports to Nigeria were 30% lower. U.S. goods imports from Nigeria of $239.3M in August 2026 ran 18% below the year-to-date monthly average of $293.2M.
Africa's largest economy by GDP, Nigeria is a major US import source primarily through crude petroleum and liquefied natural gas, sectors that have historically dominated the bilateral trade relationship. Beyond hydrocarbons, cocoa beans and processed food products represent meaningful secondary export streams. Trade professionals should note that Nigerian-origin goods in non-energy categories may face enhanced scrutiny around documentation integrity and valuation, given the complexity of the country's export licensing environment.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The rise of US shale production significantly reduced American reliance on Nigerian crude, which was once a top-five supplier. Nigerian crude volumes to the US have declined substantially, though Nigeria remains an important global supplier and trade flows can shift with refinery configuration and price differentials.
For agricultural and processed food exports from Nigeria, importers should ensure FDA prior notice is filed where applicable and that phytosanitary certificates accompany plant-based products. Customs brokers familiar with West African documentation practices can help navigate valuation and origin verification requirements.
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Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$2.3B
Services Imports
$605.0M
The top U.S. imports from Nigeria are Crude Petroleum & Bituminous Mineral Oils, Photovoltaic Cells Assembled in Modules or Panels and Petroleum Oils & Bituminous Mineral Oils, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $145.3M | |
| 2 | $31.5M | |
| 3 | $22.0M | |
| 4 | $18.0M | |
| 5 | $8.6M | |
| 6 | $3.3M | |
| 7 | $3.1M | |
| 8 | $1.3M | |
| 9 | US-Origin Articles Exported & Returned Without AdvancementChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $852K |
| 10 | $586K |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $167.7M | |
| 2 | $62.2M | |
| 3 | Civilian Aircraft, Engines, Equipment, and PartsChapter 88 |
| $45.7M |
| 4 | $35.2M |
| 5 | $26.4M |
| 6 | $24.7M |
| 7 | $22.9M |
| 8 | $21.2M |
| 9 | $10.4M |
| 10 | $10.2M |