7 Steps to understanding SONCAP for exports into Nigeria
Back in January 2013 the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) released an all new SONCAP process. This strict set of guidelines for exports into Nigeria is complex, mandatory and can prove challenging for even the most seasoned exporter…. But we’ve got your back. Read on for 7 regulatory refreshers relating to SONCAP exports into Nigeria.
Regulatory Refresher:
1 – All exports to Nigeria must comply with a strict set of customs requirements. These requirements are set out by SON (standards organisation of Nigeria) who implemented SONCAP (the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme).
2 – The Nigerian Customs Service will require a compliant SONCAP Certificate (SC) before clearing your goods into Nigeria. No SONCAP, no entry.
3 – SONCAP certification is delivered via accredited firms. The certificate is then sent via electronic transfer to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s portal.
4 – If you’re exporting any of these products, then you must comply.
- Arts and Crafts
- Toys
- Furniture (Some furniture items are forbidden, we can advise)
- Leather, Plastic and Rubber Products
- Electrical and Electronic products
- New Motor Vehicles and spare parts including Tyres
- Chemical products
- Building and Construction Material
- Mechanical Devices and Gas Appliances
- Paper and stationery items
- Protective Safety Equipment
- Medical devices
5 – Exporting these products? Then you are exempt (for now):
- Food Products
- Drugs (Medicines)
- Medical Products (other than equipment and machines)
- Chemicals used as Raw Material by bonifide manufacturers
- Military Ware and Equipment
- Used products other than automobiles
*The Federal Government of Nigeria also classes some goods a forbidden contraband. To view this list visit the official Prohibition List here.
6 – Already have existing import processes in place? No matter, you still need to comply with SONCAP.
7 – There are three routes to SONCAP compliance:
- Route A – For Unregistered/Unlicensed products, resulting in issue of Product Certificate 1
- Route B – For Registered Products, resulting in issue of Product Certificate 2
- Route C – For Licensed Products, resulting in issue of Product Certificate 3
Once Product Certificate 1, 2 or 3 has been issued then your product will receive its SONCAP Certificate of Conformity (CoC), and export into Nigeria can begin.
*March 2017 update.
On 30th March 2017 the new procedure for certifying shipments and issuing SONCAP Certification relating to Life Endangering Products went live.
This means that all exporters/importers with shipments that include a host of products, from electrical parts to safety glasses, can now only be certified SONCAP if they have a valid Product Certificate. This certificate must have been issued either through Route A (PC-U/Unregistered) or through Route C (PC-L/License). Read more >>
To understand more about the three routes, and the complex process of complying with SONCAP. Or to discuss improving your existing compliance programme contact one of our expert Account Managers today.
Streamlined SONCAP. You can with XDS.
I first approached XDS Solutions after an urgent request for SASO documentation from a Saudi Customer. I knew nothing about the documentation and was a little overwhelmed when I discovered what was required to produce them. However, the service provided by XDS was absolutely top class. They gave me every assistance I required and provided understanding to the whole process. The Documents were provided in good time and I was able to send them to Saudi Arabia quickly to allow the goods to enter the country without delay.
I have since used them on several occasions and am always dealt with promptly. The staff are proficient in their service and the quality comes through. I can’t thank them enough for their initial assistance and with everything that has followed.
XDS Solutions provided my company with everything that was needed in order to ship to Saudi Arabia. This included a SASO certificate, a country of origin certificate and even translated our instructions to Arabic. Being able to go to one place made it so much easier to get all the right documents in the right place at the right time. XDS solutions were friendly, helpful and professional; I would recommend them to any export company.
XDS Solutions is a trustworthy business partner to work with. They worked hard with us to find a solution that suited our company at the same time as meeting the Certificate of Conformity requirements. They always ensure they do their best to provide high level of service and customer satisfaction as they have committed to from day one since the business co-operation started.
XDS are always ready and willing to respond to any questions or concerns that we may have about certification processes and are very reactive. Since working with XDS we’re able to avoid delaying shipments due to certification, which helps us to meet our commitments to our customers.
We did start to work with XDS as the procedures to get SASO or KUCAS seemed to be much easier than with other organisations in France. We found procedures elsewhere became constantly ever more complicated and slow.
