SONCAP EXEMPTED PRODUCTS: HOW TO IMPORT

SONCAP exempted products in Nigeria are few. Almost all products entering Nigerian import-value-chain are subject to SONCAP. Some SONCAP exempted products are in the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) circular reference SON/SONCAP/EX/Vol. I/005 of April 25 2013.

Read Also: SON IMPORT PERMIT NIGERIA: HOW TO PROCESS PERMIT

Certainly, this circular is on regularly update in the current SONCAP Guidelines via SON website. Thus, this article will show how to get regulatory certificates besides the SONCAP requirement in Nigeria. Therefore, I urge you to read all things and check links presented.

SONCAP EXEMPTED PRODUCTS: HS CODES DESCRIPTION

SONCAP EXEMPTED PRODUCTS: HOW TO IMPORT

• NAFDAC controls foodstuffs and chemicals, drugs and beverages.
• Similarly, NESREA is the agency responsible for importation of used commodities except automobiles.

Read Here: CUSTOMS CLEARANCE: NESREA CLEARANCE PERMIT

HOW TO OBTAIN NAFDAC PERMIT TO IMPORT

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is an agency under the ministry of Finance in Nigeria. The agency is responsible for regulating the production, distribution, import and export, etc. of food items, chemicals, water, and the likes in Nigeria. Getting NAFDAC import certification could be really a time consuming process in the immediate past. Thanks to the electronic import permit, application system recently introduced to reduce human interface. As a result, things are now smoother in this area.

NAFDAC: Application Process.

The registration process for NAFDAC Permit is in two general stages. Firstly, there is an application for authorization to bring samples for NAFDAC examination. Second, is the manual application procedure for registration.

• Written application for product registration is made to the Director (Registration and Regulatory Affairs) stating the name of the manufacturer, the generic name (and brand name, if applicable) of product, product strength and indications.
• The applicant should obtain and fill the prescribed NAFDAC application form (Form D-REG/001)
• Attach Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission
• Applicant must attach Comprehensive Certificate of analysis of the batch of the product for registration from the manufacturer stating name and signature of the analyst.
• Present Packs of the products samples

ADDITIONALLY:

• Also Present Evidence of pre-product inspection or Certificate of Recognition issued by NAFDAC
• Present Notarized original copy of the duly executed Power of Attorney from the product manufacturer (imported product)
• Show Certificate of Manufacture issued by the competent health or regulatory authority in the country of origin and authenticated by the Nigerian Mission in that country (if foreign import). The British High Commission or an ECOWAS country Mission will authenticate where there is no Nigerian mission
• If contract-manufactured, Contract Manufacturing Agreement properly executed and notarized by a Notary Public in the country of manufacture.

FURTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Present Evidence of Membership of the State’s Traditional Medicines Board (Herbal Medicines
• Technical Document (Herbal Medicines)
• Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products (COPP) duly issued and authenticated
• Current Superintendent Pharmacists license to practice issued by the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria
• Premises Registration License from Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN)
• Warehouse acquisition or premises acquisition(if applicable)
• Certificate of Trademark Registration of brand name with trademark registry in the Ministry of Commerce here in Nigeria
• Letter of invitation from manufacturer to the Director General of the NAFDAC to inspect factory abroad, stating full name and location of the plant.
• Make informative, clear and accurate labeling of the products
• Finally, payment of the prescribed fees and finalization.

HOW LONG TO OBTAIN NAFDAC FOR EXEMPTED GOODS

This process could take up to 3 or 4 months to complete. Hence, the electronic application for NAFDAC Permit has made things easy. Furthermore, my next article will walk you through on the NAFDAC e-license.

In Conclusion:

In the Nigerian import-value-chain, almost all items have SONCAP requirement in Nigeria. However, NESREA is the agency responsible for importation of used commodities. Finally, NAFDAC controls foodstuffs and chemicals. Additionally, next article will treat NAFDAC e-license procedure.

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