Quick answer: Provide a detailed item list and the full US delivery address, confirm service acceptance, choose an available transport arrangement and prepare the records the team requests for your booking.
Start with the actual shipment
Before comparing costs or timelines, list every item in the consignment with quantities, values, weights and a description that an inspector could identify from. Vague descriptions like "personal items" or "foodstuff" create delays at customs.
Include the country of origin for each item, the processing state for food and whether goods are new or used. The more precise the list, the faster the assessment.
Disclose special products early
Food, plant material, animal products, electronics with lithium batteries, pharmaceuticals and used goods all carry specific requirements or restrictions at the US border. Disclose them at the enquiry stage, not after booking.
The FDA regulates imported food. The USDA APHIS handles plant and agricultural products. Requirements from both agencies apply at entry regardless of how the goods are described on the shipment. See FDA import guidance and USDA APHIS guidance for current requirements.
Check official requirements before booking
US import requirements are set by federal agencies, not by the carrier. The team can tell you what the service accepts and what documents to prepare. For what is legally required to enter the USA, check official sources.
Ask the team to flag any product categories that need specific documentation and what form that documentation takes for your booking.
Compare available transport options
Air and sea freight serve different timelines and cargo types. Ask for a quote on the options available for your specific cargo, origin point and full US delivery address. Compare what each covers from handover through final delivery.
Confirm the start milestone for any estimated window the team provides. An estimate that begins at departure is different from one that begins at your handover date.
Keep documents consistent
The documents you provide for export in Nigeria and the documents accompanying the shipment into the USA need to be consistent with each other and with the declared contents. Inconsistencies between declared value, description and actual goods create holds at customs.
Ask the team which documents are needed for your specific booking and whether any need to be prepared by the shipper or the recipient.
Confirm what the booking covers
Ask specifically whether the quoted service covers doorstep delivery in the USA, what destination charges are not included, and what happens if a delivery attempt is unsuccessful.
A freight service and a delivered service are not the same thing. Confirm the last-mile arrangement before committing to a booking.
Prepare the recipient
The recipient in the USA should know the shipment reference, the approximate arrival window and who to contact if there is a question at their end. For a business consignment, identify who is responsible for receiving goods and who can supply any documents needed at destination.
If the shipment includes anything that could require a payment of duties or fees at destination, the recipient should know this before the goods arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send food as a gift without going through the usual checks?
Do not assume that. US import requirements for food apply whether the goods are a gift or a sale. Describe the goods accurately and ask the team to assess before packing.
Does Tianah's guidance replace official US import information?
No. Tianah can advise on what the service accepts and what documentation to prepare. For legal import requirements, check official sources such as the FDA and USDA APHIS directly.
How much address detail does the recipient need to provide?
Provide the complete US delivery address including street, city, state and ZIP code, plus a reachable contact number for the recipient. An incomplete address delays or stops the shipment at destination.
Discuss your shipment
Request a quote from Tianah. Provide your full item list, the complete US delivery address, the approximate total weight and whether the shipment is personal or commercial. The team will advise on acceptance, documents and available options.