SONCAP Product Certificate for what? What options are available to you for the certification of your product of import or export to Nigeria. First, know who you are in the international logistics trade. Also, know what your business is in the Nigerian trading space. In other words, what is the reason why you are importing to Nigeria? First, what is the class of your business?
SONCAP PRODUCT CERTIFICATE: CLASS OF BUSINESS IN NIGERIA
Does your business fall into any of the following classes?
- Oil and gas exploration
- The Oil and gas servicing
- Companies importing for specific project
- The Companies importing materials for construction
- Companies occasionally importing general goods
- Manufacturer with MANCAP
- The Manufacturer without MANCAP
- General establishment.
SONCAP PRODUCT CERTIFICATE: DURATION OF IMPORTS
Again, how often is your type of import? Does any of the following describe frequency your import?
- Annual import (1 year)
- Single import
- Bi-annual imports (6 months)
- Quarterly (3 months)
SONCAP PRODUCT CERTIFICATE: WHY THIS ARTICLE?
This article will avail readers with product certification options most suited for their business type. We shall look at the following options and tie them to products most suited:
- SON PC/SONCAP arrangement
- SON Import Permit
- NESREA Clearance Permit
- The Direct Assessments
SONCAP PRODUCT CERTIFICATE: DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS
Read also SONCAP NIGERIA: COMMODITIES IN SENSITIVE LIST
SONCAP PRODUCT CERTIFICATE: SON PC/SONCAP
In these arrangements, the importer undergoes two steps of certification. First a Product certificate is issued for the importer to process Form M document, and later a SONCAP, used for PAAR processing. These arrangements can be further broken into three as:
ROUTE 1 – unregistered or unlicensed products (Verification of Conformity)
Rout 1 is best for Irregular exports.
ROUTE 2 – For Registered Products (Registration and Conformity Inspection)
Exporters or Manufacturers with frequent shipment to Nigeria, who have quality management system and who demonstrated an acceptable level of compliance during shipment verification in Route 1 are recommended to apply for Product Certification under Route 2.
ROUTE 3 – For Licensed products (Product Certification Systems)
Manufacturers who have regular shipments to Nigeria and/or those who have demonstrated an excellent level of compliance under Route B are qualified to apply for Product Licensing under Route C.
SONCAP PRODUCT CERTIFICATE: SON IMPORT PERMIT
Read also IMPORT PERMIT ACTIVATION FOR PAAR NIGERIA
SON Import Permit is if the purpose of import is linked to a particular project, or is for a predefined set of Products expected over a protracted period of time. For instance, in the case of a producer who intends to import machinery or related spare parts for their manufacturing. In such case, the importer is considered as Bona fide manufacturer, and is advised to apply to the Standard Organization of Nigeria for import permit to enable them import.
THE DIRECT ASSESSMENTS
Direct Assessment is a kind of default arrangement. No SONCAP or any other certification in the first place. Consequently, assessment as the goods arrive Nigeria. Additionally, the government does not favour direct assessment.
NESREA CLEARANCE PERMIT
Importers who import used items or fairly used items are better off with NESREA clearance Permit.
Read also: CUSTOMS CLEARANCE: NESREA CLEARANCE PERMIT
In Conclusion:
Multiple options exist for the certification of product of import or export to Nigeria. So check the option that most suit your import to Nigeria.