In order to prevent small arms and light weapons (SALW) from reaching conflict zones or embargoed destinations, End user certificates are compulsorily required for the importation and exportation of controlled items. Controlled items are components or materials placed under the direct control of an authorized agency because of its classified or harmful nature. If there is any likelihood that the goods will be diverted within the buyer country or re-exported under undesirable conditions and thus finds it’s way into the illicit market the End User Certificate would be denied. An End user certificate is a document used to track the shipment of controlled items to ensure that the buyer is the actual recipient of the items and to certify that there are no plans to transfer it to another party. End User certificates are basically used to prevent criminals, rebel groups, embargoed nations or nations with poor human rights records from purchasing or obtaining controlled items. In Nigeria importation of controlled items are placed under the direct control of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The following controlled items qualify for issuance of End-User-Certificate (EUC) by the Office of the National Security Adviser;
a. Arms and ammunition of all kinds (lethal and non-lethal).
b. Parts and accessories for all military armaments and hardware such as guns, armoured tanks, ships and aircrafts.
c. Uniforms, web equipment and accoutrement for security forces.
d. Explosives, fireworks and pyrotechnics for celebrations, military purposes and construction works. e. All forms of chemicals and materials used for explosives (Prilled Urea and NPK 15-15-15 for fertilizer).
f. All forms of bullet proof materials including vest, ballistics materials, vehicles and bullion vans as well as Hand and Leg Cuff, Police Baton, Riot Crowd Control Devices, Pepper Sprayer, Explosive Detectors, Metal Detectors, Security Doors, Narcotic Detectors, Bar Light, Mail and Baggage Scanners, Stunner and Electric Baton etc.
g. Other items as could be specifically determined eg cash printing machines
h. Items which the exporting country require an End-User-Certificate irrespective of the items listed above.


How to apply for an End User Certificate in Nigeria
• Every prospective applicant must be registered with the End User Certificate Issuance and Management System (ECIMS) in order to be eligible.
• The Applicant must fill the description of goods before submitting the application.
• All Applications must be supported with valid documentation; and in the event of expired documents, the Applicant must attach a valid covering letter.
• Upon Issuance of the Certificate, in the absence of the original Applicant, a proxy can collect the Certificate but must present a letter of authorization duly signed by the applicant. This is only possible once the applicant already has a complete profile (inclusive of biometric) on ECIMS.
• The Applicant must provide hard copies of all attached application supporting documents for sighting before the issuance of certificates. All EUCs are valid for only 1 year from the date of issuance.
• The EUC should be part of the requirements for goods clearance by Nigerian Customs Services at the ports.
• Applicant must state the purpose of usage of the Controlled Item in the application.
• All these should be done prior to the importation of the controlled item in order to avoid detention and seizure by the Nigerian Customs service.

Controversy over End User Certificates.
There have been several cases of falsification and forgery of End user certificates and this has led to calls for increased scrutiny in the issuance and inspection of EUC’s. There are various international guidelines on end user certificates like the 1996 United Nations guidelines for International arms transfer, the 2001 UN programme of action to prevent, combat and eradicate illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The organization for security and co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union have also come up with their own respective best practice guidelines. All these guidelines provide for the thorough verification of EUC’s and other related documentations but they have not been able to totally eradicate the diversion and smuggling of arms, harmful and sensitive devices across the globe. Even properly authenticated EUC’s can be used to divert arms.

Good and thanks for the information. Please do you have any agent who can run this for my company?