Compulsorily, where any product is to be imported into Nigeria, such products are required to be registered with all relevant regulatory agencies as may be applicable in the given circumstance and for those products requiring registration with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), it enables the Organization to check, verify and authenticate the quality of such products brought into Nigeria for commercial purposes.

Registration with SON encapsulates all items imported into Nigeria save those specifically covered by the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies such as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

We comprehensively dive into the specific requirements of registering a product as an importer with SON.

SON Registration requirements

Generally, under the import requirements as stipulated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, importers must obtain product certificates and a SON Import Permit for every consignment of regulated goods.

Given the above, registration with SON is categorized into two major stages among which are:

Product Certificate

The first stage is initiated by the manufacturer/supplier/exporter of the product from the country where the product is being shipped to Nigeria. He does this on behalf of the importer. It is a mandatory requirement before the regulated goods are shipped to Nigeria. The issuance of this certificate (issued to importers in Nigeria) allows them to open a Form M through any authorized dealer Bank. The information required to obtain this certificate is as follows:

  1. Details of the Manufacturer (name, address, phone number, email, etc.)
  2. Details of a contact person.
  3. Details of the place of Inspection (i.e. a place where the SON agent will inspect the goods) can be the supplier’s warehouse or another.
  4. The importer must provide shipment details. (port of loading and landing, country of supply, product number, brand and batch)
  5. The mode of shipment must be stated.
  6. Details of the sales invoice.
  7. Condition of products.

The required documents to be attached when applying are as follows:

  1. Factory inspection report.
  2. Product specification sheet.
  3. Third-party report issued by an accredited laboratory.
  4. Photographs of the product.
  5. Authorized distribution certificate.

It is worthy of note that the validity period of this certificate is 6 months following inspection, sampling and testing applicable to Nigerian and international standards. Only after this process, are the goods permitted to be imported to Nigeria.

SONCAP Registration Certificate

Upon importation into Nigeria, the second stage of registration is required. This second stage is called the Standard Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP) Product Registration Certificate which is used to obtain the Prearrival Assessment report (PAAR) enabling the importer the right to clear the product from the Nigeria Port. This certificate further grants the right of sale within the Nigerian market. The registration process is carried out online on the official website and the documents required for this registration are as follows:

  1. Company Certificate of Incorporation (COI), Picture of the product to be imported.
  2. Picture of the product to be imported.
  3. Power of Attorney drafted in favor of the importer.
  4. Manufacturers agreement.
  5. Trademark certificate (if the company is the manufacturer or importer with a brand name).
  6. An Excel sheet of all items to be imported for the period stated.
  7. Sample pro forma invoice with items of import with the manufacturer’s details.

It is noteworthy that the SONCAP Registration Certificate will only be issued upon the following terms for the product registration:

  1. The form has been duly completed.
  2. Submission of a valid Product Certificate.
  3. Completion of consignment inspection and witnessing of stuffing and affixing of seal for full container load.
  4. Upon receipt of satisfactory final documents.

 

Conclusion

Following the above, we submit that obtaining both certificates as noted above is compulsory as none can subsist without the other, and they must follow the sequential procedures above in order to be fully registered with SON.

 

 

Contact:

WTS Blackwoodstone

[email protected]

+234 903 3501 613