When you’re working across continents, delays aren’t just inevitable, they’re instructive. This summer, I found myself in the middle of a real-world export challenge that tested not only our logistics operations but also our brand’s resilience, reputation, and readiness for scale. A routine shipment of turning sticks from Nigeria to the United States was flagged and detained due to an insect infestation, triggering a quarantine and a deeper inspection by U.S. agriculture specialists. But rather than view the situation as a failure, I chose to lean in, learn, and lead. This is the story of how a setback became a springboard.

The Shipment That Stopped

The product in question was a culturally significant, handcrafted kitchen tool: the turning stick. These sticks, made from African mahogany and used for preparing staple foods like garri and fufu, had previously been imported successfully. Clean, dry, bark-free, and finished, they had passed earlier inspections without issue. This time, however, they sat too long at the Lagos cargo terminal due to a local logistics backlog—an increasingly common occurrence that exposes goods to new environmental risks.

By the time the shipment reached Las Vegas via Atlanta, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) flagged it for agricultural safeguarding under 7 USC 1501; 7701; 8301. An examination revealed insect activity, and the goods were promptly quarantined.

Communication with Customs

The email from LAS Cargo was clear: “The shipment was infested with insects when inspected. It’s currently quarantined pending an examination from agriculture specialists.” It was the kind of message that can send any exporter into crisis mode. But experience has taught me not to panic—instead, I responded by providing full transparency, history of successful imports, and context. I explained the delay in Nigeria, emphasized our previous successful shipments of the same product, and assured them of our cooperation.

At the same time, I reflected on our process and identified opportunities for improvement, especially around pest-proof packaging and tighter logistics scheduling.

Lessons in Resilience and Readiness

There are several takeaways from this situation that exporters, particularly those working between Nigeria and the U.S., can learn from:

1. Delays Can Create Exposure: Even finished wood products can become vulnerable if shipments sit too long in humid, insect-prone environments. Work with logistics partners who can guarantee quicker movement and avoid extended storage.
2. Documentation Matters: Have full details ready—genus/species of wood, treatment applied, product use, and visual evidence. In our case, we provided that the mahogany used was untreated, dry, clean, and commercial-grade.
3. Track Your Precedents: Citing successful past shipments shows consistency and reliability, which can work in your favor during customs investigations.
4. Stay Professional with Officials: Your response to customs agents should always be respectful, cooperative, and informed. Demonstrating your professionalism can make the difference between confiscation and clearance.
5. Control What You Can: While delays are sometimes out of your hands, packaging isn’t. We’ve since updated our packing standards and pest prevention protocols at the co-packing facility in Akwa Ibom State, which we continue to be impressed by.

Turning Setbacks into Strategy

From the start, Mbariket was created as a U.S.-based trade platform to connect American consumers with high-quality Nigerian-made products—spices, kitchenware, skincare, and more. Our recent setback didn’t deter us; it made us sharper. We’ve launched our own e-commerce site for U.S. buyers (https://mbariket.com/shop) and now offer products like Nigerian food staples, traditional accessories, handcrafted kitchen tools, and spice bundles through our own logistics pipeline.

The shipment delay taught us more than any successful delivery ever could. We’ve instituted clearer internal SOPs, vetted alternative flight paths with quicker customs clearance times, and introduced tighter turnaround time with our co-packers. We now label and finalize packaging in the U.S. to ensure consistent presentation and compliance.

Bigger Picture: U.S.-Nigeria Trade

This isn’t just about one shipment. It speaks to the broader challenges and opportunities in U.S.-Nigeria trade. Agriculture-based products, handcrafted goods, and natural exports from Nigeria hold immense potential in the U.S. market, especially as consumers continue to seek authenticity and global diversity in their purchases. But that journey demands readiness—compliance, documentation, logistics coordination, and cultural fluency.

For any entrepreneur or exporter reading this, know this: setbacks are normal. What matters is how you turn those moments into momentum.

Moving Forward

We’re doubling down on our mission to simplify the export process for Nigerian producers while ensuring U.S. consumers have access to products that reflect quality, heritage, and innovation. Our setbacks have become our blueprint for better systems.

I’ve shared this story in the hopes that it inspires more transparency, preparation, and courage among fellow exporters. If you’re thinking about entering the U.S. market from Nigeria, be prepared to learn, adjust, and persist.

The delay may have been unexpected, but the progress it forced was necessary. And in global trade, sometimes the most valuable shipments are the ones that don’t move—until you do.

About the Author

Rich Mbariket is the founder and lead advisor of Mbariket.com, a trusted U.S.-Nigeria trade platform bridging commerce and investment between both countries. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and based in Las Vegas, NV, USA, he specializes in export strategy, product development, and cross-border trade. Rich helps Nigerian entrepreneurs navigate the U.S. market with confidence and compliance—and empowers those in the U.S. diaspora to reconnect and invest back home.

Connect via WhatsApp: +1 (702) 201-8311