BANK CHARGES REFERENCE

Nigerian Bank Transfer Charges & Fees

Complete guide to bank transfer fees, stamp duty, electronic levy, POS charges, and other transaction costs in Nigeria.

Electronic Transfer Levy (Stamp Duty)

Automatic charge on bank transfers and electronic transactions.

What is Stamp Duty?

Stamp Duty is a tax levied by the Federal Government on electronic transfers and receipts of ₦10,000 and above.

The charge is ₦50 flat per transaction, regardless of the amount transferred (as long as it's ₦10,000 or more).

This fee is automatically deducted by your bank when you make qualifying transfers.

Quick Reference

Transfer Amount
Below ₦10,000
₦0
No charge
Transfer Amount
₦10,000 - ₦999,999
₦50
Flat charge
Transfer Amount
₦1,000,000+
₦50
Flat charge
You Transfer
₦5,000
Stamp Duty
₦0
Below threshold
You Transfer
₦50,000
Stamp Duty
₦50
Flat charge applies
You Transfer
₦5,000,000
Stamp Duty
₦50
Still flat ₦50

Bank Transfer Fees

Charges by banks for different types of transfers (in addition to stamp duty).

Intra-Bank Transfers

Transfers between accounts in the same bank (e.g., GTBank to GTBank, Access to Access).

Typical Charge FREE

Most Nigerian banks don't charge for intra-bank transfers via mobile/internet banking

Inter-Bank Transfers

Transfers between different banks (e.g., GTBank to First Bank, UBA to Zenith).

Mobile/Internet Banking ₦10 - ₦52.50
USSD Banking (*Code#) ₦6.98
Branch/Teller ₦50 - ₦100

Fees vary by bank. Check with your specific bank for exact charges.

NIP Instant Transfers

Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) charges for instant inter-bank transfers.

₦1,000 - ₦5,000 ₦10
₦5,001 - ₦50,000 ₦25
Above ₦50,000 ₦50

POS & ATM Charges

Fees for cash withdrawals and POS transactions.

POS Transactions

Card Payments (Purchase)

Charge to Customer FREE

Merchants pay ~1.5% transaction fee, not you

POS Withdrawals

Up to ₦20,000 Varies

Merchants typically charge ₦100-₦200 per withdrawal

ATM Withdrawals

Own Bank ATM

First 3 withdrawals/month FREE
4th withdrawal onwards ₦35

Other Bank ATM

First 3 withdrawals/month FREE
4th withdrawal onwards ₦65

CBN ATM Withdrawal Policy

The Central Bank of Nigeria allows 3 free ATM withdrawals per month (whether on your own bank's ATM or another bank's). From the 4th withdrawal onwards, charges apply.

Other Common Bank Charges

SMS Alerts

₦4
per alert

Or ₦50-₦100 monthly subscription

Card Maintenance

₦50-150
per month

Debit/ATM card annual fee

COT (Removed)

₦0
No longer charged

Commission on Turnover abolished by CBN

Account Maintenance

Varies
by account type

₦0-₦1,000 monthly depending on bank & account

Cheque Book

₦500-2k
per book

50 leaves, varies by bank

Failed Transaction

FREE
Must be reversed

Banks must reverse within 24-48hrs

Tips to Minimize Bank Charges

Smart strategies to reduce transaction costs.

1

Transfer Below ₦10,000

Avoid ₦50 stamp duty by keeping transfers under ₦10,000 when possible.

2

Use Mobile Banking

Mobile/internet transfers cost less than branch transactions.

3

Limit ATM Withdrawals

Keep it to 3 per month to avoid charges. Plan withdrawals strategically.

4

Use Your Bank's ATM

Lower fees when using your own bank's ATM after the 3 free withdrawals.

5

Choose Zero-Fee Accounts

Some banks offer accounts with no maintenance fees. Compare options.

6

Batch Transfers

Combine multiple small transfers into one larger transfer to save on stamp duty.

Learn More About Nigerian Taxes