Picture this: your aunty grinds her secret pepper soup mix, vacuum seals it with love, and sends it off to her daughter in London. You’re expecting excited voice notes and blessings from across the Atlantic. Instead, you get a message: "Customs seized the package."

Ouch.**

This isn’t fiction. It happens all the time. In fact, the EU once banned Nigerian beans over pesticide residues. That single restriction cost Nigeria an estimated $360+ million per year in export revenue. Not because Nigerians don’t know how to farm, but because of avoidable mistakes in the supply and shipping chain.

This post isn’t a rant. It’s a reality check. And a guide. If you want your foodstuff to make it from Lagos to London (without ending up in a customs dumpster), keep reading.

The Usual Suspects: Why Your Foodstuff Gets Rejected at Customs

Here are the biggest culprits behind border rejections:

1. Pesticide Residue (A.K.A. the Bean Killer)

The EU has strict rules. If your beans were sprayed with unapproved pesticides or dried with dangerous chemicals, they’re out.

2. Mold and Contamination

Humidity + poor storage = moldy stock. No amount of prayers can save that.

3. Poor Packaging

Polythene bags tied with rubber bands don’t scream “export grade.” Customs wants sealed, tamper-proof packaging that preserves food quality.

4. No Label, No Entry

Every item must have a label: product name, ingredients, producer contact, country of origin, and batch number. If your crayfish comes in a nameless bag, it’s not going far.

5. Restricted or Banned Goods

Snails. Herbal bitters. Uncertified animal products. You’d be shocked at what gets sent.

Don’t Blame Only the Farmer—The Shipping Process Matters Too

Yes, poor agricultural practices play a role. But most items are rejected at the packaging and shipping level. That means the people sending it – you or your supplier – are just as responsible.

You can’t just wrap egusi in newspaper, drop it in a Ghana-Must-Go, and hope for the best. The UK Border Force isn’t your cousin.

And don’t get us started on food sent with no documentation. If there’s no manufacturer detail, expiry date, or batch trace, it might as well be contraband.

The Fix: What You (the Shipper or Small Biz Owner) Can Do Differently

Let’s turn the tide. Here are practical steps to avoid embarrassment and loss:

✅ Source Smart

Buy from suppliers who understand food safety and are willing to show how their products are processed.

✅ Package Like a Pro

Use airtight, export-friendly materials. Think resealable pouches, vacuum-sealed bags, food-grade plastics.

✅ Label Everything

Product name. Ingredients. Producer address. Manufacturing date. Batch number. Country of origin.

✅ Know What You Can’t Send

Avoid animal products unless you have certifications. Dried meats, snails, and certain roots are a no-go.

✅ Work with the Right Partner

This is where platforms like DeliveryPage shine. They don’t just move boxes – they help you understand how to move the right way.

Conclusion: From Naija to the UK—Ship It Right or Don’t Ship It At All

Shipping foodstuff internationally isn’t just about transport. It’s about trust, compliance, and care.

Whether you’re sending palm oil to your brother or running a full-blown food export business, the rules are the same: do it well, or risk rejection.

If you're tired of guesswork and want your goods to actually arrive, DeliveryPage is here to help.

Let’s ship smarter. Not harder.