If you are seasoned importer using our services, you would readily have been informed about SONCAP requirements in Nigeria, or come across it somehow, somewhere else. In today’s post, we talk about SONCAP requirements for exporters in Nigeria with a view to creating an adequate understanding of our craving clients.

SONCAP Requirements in Nigeria
What does SONCAP stand for?
SONCAP stands for Standard Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program. A SONCAP Certificate (SC) is a Customs clearance document mandatory in Nigeria for import/export purpose. It is issued by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on receipt of Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the IAFs. The Certificate is applicable to SONCAP regulated products.


The objective of SONCAP
The certification is to monitor the conformity of exportable products. It is an important aspect of exportation positioned to protect Nigerian consumers from being exposed to sub-standard and unsafe goods. In essence, the SONCAP is a product conformity scheme with the objective to help ensure that products exported to Nigeria meet minimum safety requirements.


What are SONCAP Regulated Products
SONCAP regulated products are products which, without the certification, are not allowed exportation to Nigeria. Every exporter of these particular products category is mandated to obtain the SONCAP certification.


If you’re exporting any of these products, then you must comply by obtaining certification. The products are:

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



Benefits of SONCAP to Nigeria?
SONCAP help ensure the protection of the Nigerian consumer from unsafe and sub-standard products. It also enhance the competition among Nigerian manufacturers on a level playing ground with imports since it will help prevent the import of products which are often cheaper due to their non-compliance with safety standards.


Risk of non-compliance with SONCAP
Regulated Products arriving at Nigerian ports without the necessary Certificate required by SONCAP may be rejected at the port and refused release, in other word, seized. The compliance process should be undertaken in the country of export.

The importer/exporter is then required to re-export the goods or face delays while the goods are sampled and then tested to safety standards. Another risk is that the exporter/importer will be expected be responsible for all expenses related to the delay and process of putting things in proper shape.


The detailed process is contained within the “Guidelines for Exporters” document which can be obtained from SON or your local Intertek SON Country Office or from our Resources section.

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