Need to Know: Foreigners

This is a mandatory document issued by the Nigerian government agency responsible for regulating the specific goods being imported. It is a customs declaration form that provides details of the goods being imported, including the value, quantity, and description of the goods.

To process the Form M, follow the procedure here:

Institution/Systems:

• Bank
• Federal Government of Nigeria Single Window for Trade portal

What do you get?

• Form M

Requirements:

• Certificate of Incorporation/Registration of the company in Nigeria
• TIN Registration with Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS)
• Proforma Invoice
• Insurance Document
• A Product Certificate (PC) for items regulated by SON

Procedures/Steps:

• Validate your TIN at the FIRS office
• Logging into the Single Trade Portal using the login details generated at the FIRS portal.
• Upon logging in, your company name will be displayed in the top right corner.
• Click on Consignment to start the e-Form M application.
• Under CBN Form Services, choose Fill Form ‘M’
• Fill in all the necessary fields that follow with the requested information.
• Upload required documents and submit.
• Upon submission, your entry is immediately forwarded to your preferred bank (Authorized Bank) for necessary review and processing, and subsequent approval.
• If satisfactory, the ADB forwards the entry to the Nigeria Customs Service for review and subsequent approval, and issuance of the PAAR.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) enforces technical regulations for all imported products using the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP). This scheme verifies that products meet Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and other technical standards before they are shipped to Nigeria.

Independent Accreditation Firms (IAFs) that are approved by the Nigerian government carry out testing and inspection of imported products offshore and issue Product Certificates (PCs). SONCAP has three major routes for assessing conformity, depending on the risk, safety, and potential health effects of the product.

There are three routes for obtaining product certificates, which are as follows:

• Route A: Conformity Verification for unregistered/unlicensed products.

If your product is new to Nigeria and has no records or history with SON, it must be tested to be allowed for import. With a Route A product certificate, you are allowed to import up to four times. For each import, SON technical officers will inspect 100% of your product. After four successful imports, you may request SON to move you to Route B.

• Route B: Registration and Conformity Inspection for registered products.

As a Route B Product Certificate importer, you can make as many imports as you choose within twelve months of acquiring the PC. The SON officials will inspect 40% of your import, and not all consignments that come in within that period will be inspected. After establishing a good history with SON, they may decide to inspect only the first consignment and allow the others to come in unhindered. Inspection is usually done during loading, and sometimes samples are taken for further analysis.

• Route C: Product Certification Systems for licensed products.

This route is issued to manufacturers overseas. With a Route C PC, you are allowed to export freely into Nigeria.

Each route has three major steps, including the issuance of a Product Certificate, followed by a test report and Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by the IAF after a successful test report and satisfactory verification.

When your imported goods are about to enter Nigeria, you’ll be issued a SONCAP certificate.

Institution/Systems:

• Independent Accredited Firm (IAF)
• Federal Government of Nigeria Single Window for Trade portal (Online)

What do you get?

• SONCAP Certificate (SC)
• Product Certificate (PC)
• Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

Requirements:

• TIN Registration with Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS)
• Proforma Invoice (issued by Supplier)
• A Product Certificate (PC) Issued by IAF
• CBN Form M
• Commercial Invoice (issued by Supplier)
• Other documents (depending on products imported)

Fees & Charges for SONCAP

• Product Certificate (Unregistered) $500
• Product Certificate (Registered) $1000
• Product Certificate (Licensed) $2000
• SONCAP Certificate (SC) $350
• New Product $350
• Non-Conformity Report $350

Recourse:

Name: Engr. Olalekan Sunday OMONIYI, MNSE, AICMC (Image not available. Kindly make use of a dummy image)

Position: Assistant Director (PCD – SONCAP)

Dept: Product Certification Department

Contact details: +2348149575498, olalekan.omoniyi@son.gov.ng

Product Certificate

Procedures/Steps

• Visit the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) website and select any of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) per your preference.
• Contact the selected IAF using the details provided here. (Insert link to Appendix 23 – IAF Contacts)
• Select the appropriate route to obtain the product certificate for your product.
• The IAF will evaluate the number of products you are importing before informing you of the payment required for the inspection.
• If the product meets the required standards during the inspection, you will receive a product certificate.
• If the product does not meet the standards, you will receive a non-conformity certificate.

SONCAP Certificate

Procedures/Steps

• Fill and submit the Request for Certification Form to the IAF that issued your PC.
• Ensure that all products in your shipment have valid Product Certificates.
• Allow your selected IAF to supervise the loading of Full Container Loads (FCL) and seal the container(s).
• Provide the final documents, such as the Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, and Form M to the IAF. This information will be included on the SONCAP Certificate.
• Once the inspection is complete and the documentation is verified, you will receive your SONCAP Certificate (SC).

SONCAP and Product Certificate Activation to the Customs Portal

Procedures/Steps

• Go to the SON database on the Nigeria Single Window application
• Navigate to the Activate SONCAP/Product Certificate on the left-hand side of the page
• Input the Tax Identification Number (obtainable from FIRS) and click on validate.
• Upon completion of the process, a pop-up message will confirm activation.
• Return to the Nigeria Single Window for Trade portal and click on Search Certificate.

Input the reference number and click on Search to display the certificate.

The Import Permit Product Certificate (PC) is an optional certificate that can be requested for the import of Production Machinery, Raw Materials, and Packaging Materials. Import Permit is an avenue created to enable local manufacturers import some items which will be subject to certification within the country.

This certification follows the same process as the SONCAP and Product Certificate certification process. An Import Permit PC act as both a SONCAP and Product Certificate (PC), however, your enterprise shall be subject to local regulation while the output of your production must pass through the MANCAP certification scheme.

The Import Permit PC doesn’t require involvement from the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), as SON acts as the fifth IAF. The SON structure is to ensure that finished products are certified offshore, while local producers are permitted to import materials for their production, but their output must be certified locally in Nigeria.

Institution/Systems:

• Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)

What do you get?

• Import Permit Product Certificate

Requirements:

• TIN Registration with Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS)
• Proforma Invoice (issued by Supplier)
• CBN Form M
• Commercial Invoice (issued by Supplier)
• Other documents (depending on products imported)

Fees & Charges for SON IMPORT PERMIT

• Click here for the approved fees for the PC, SC, and Import Permit (Insert link to 2. Appendix 2 – SONCAP Approved Fees Nov 2022)

Recourse:

Name: Engr. Olalekan Sunday OMONIYI, MNSE, AICMC (Image not available. Kindly make use of a dummy image)

Position: Assistant Director (PCD – SONCAP)

Dept: Product Certification Department

Contact details: +2348149575498, olalekan.omoniyi@son.gov.ng

Procedures/Steps (Product Certificate)

• Visit the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) office
• Fill and submit the Request for Certification form to SON
• Ensure all goods in the shipment have valid Product Certificates.
• Allow SON to supervise the loading of Full Container Loads (FCL) and seal the container(s).
• Send the final documents to SON, such as the Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, and Form M to SON. This information will be included on the Import Permit.
• Once the inspection is complete and the documentation is verified, you will receive your Import Permit Product Certificate.

This is a certificate issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) that certifies that the imported goods meet the required health and safety standards.

The process for acquiring the NAFDAC Certificate typically involves the following steps:

Product Registration >> Submission of Samples>>Evaluation and Inspection>> Approval and Issuance {Icons}

Institution/Systems:

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

What do you get?

NAFDAC Certificate

NAFDAC Reg Requirements:

• Product details documentation
• Labeling information
• Manufacturing process
• Evidence of compliance with relevant regulations

NAFDAC Procedures/steps

– Register the product with NAFDAC by submitting the necessary documentations.

– Submit samples of the product to NAFDAC for laboratory testing.

– The samples are analyzed to ensure compliance with health and safety standards, including the assessment of ingredients, contaminants, and potential risks.

– NAFDAC conducts a thorough evaluation of the product, taking into account the laboratory test results and verifying compliance with regulatory requirements. This may involve physical inspections of manufacturing facilities, packaging materials, and labeling.

– If the product successfully meets all the necessary criteria and passes the evaluation and inspection process, NAFDAC grants approval and issues the NAFDAC Certificate. This certificate serves as proof that the imported goods have met the required health and safety standards set by NAFDAC.

It is important to note that the specific requirements and procedures may vary depending on the nature of the product and the regulations in place at the time of application.

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS)

What do you get?

NAQS Import Permit for Animals

NAQS Reg Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Import permit (Issued by the CVON)
• CITES Permit (Issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment)
• Sanitary/Health Certificate of Animal
• Other documents accompanying the product and consignment i.e. port embarkment, port of disembarkment, country of export, purpose of importation, e.t.c

Fees & Charges for NAQS Sanitary Import Permit (Animal Import)

• Approved fee schedule for import of Animals/Animals Products based on the categories of animals. (Not available. To be Provided)

Legal Justification

• NAQS Establishment Act 2018

Recourse:

Name: SM Tanto (Insert image available in Appendix 18)

Contact Number: 07056893124

Email: contact@naqs.gov.ng; Senyamba.tanto@naqs.gov.ng

NAQS Procedures/Steps:

• Ensure your consignment is not on the NCS prohibition
• Contact the office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (DVPCS), FMARD, Area 11, Garki Abuja to obtain an International Veterinary Certificate (Import Permit) for your animal or animal product.
• NAQS is issued a copy of the permit from the office of the CVON.
• Officers at the specific port of entry are notified of the arrival details of the animal / animal product.
• Your animal or animal product will be inspected and its accompanying documents verified upon arrival at the port of entry.
• Samples from the animal product are collected for analysis and certified free from contaminants before release.
• Live animals will be quarantined for about 14 days, during which samples such as blood, serum, swabs, feces, and milk will be collected for laboratory analysis. The animals must be certified free from all analyzed diseases before a clearance certificate is issued, and they can be integrated with the national herd. Note: All activities during quarantine will be at the owner’s expense.
• If the animals are found to have a disease during quarantine, they will be treated, and samples will be taken again to ensure they are free of the disease before a clearance certificate is issued. If the animals cannot be certified free of disease, they can be re-exported back to the importing country or stamped out, all at the owner’s expense.

Institution/Systems:

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS)

What do you get?

• NAQS Import Permit for Aquatic Animals

NAQS Reg Requirements (Aquatic Import):

• Completed application form
• Laboratory Test report of product (country dependent)
• Radioactivity Test certificate of product (country dependent)
• Other documents accompanying products (optional) e.g. proforma invoice, packing list.
• Certificate of Incorporation (CAC, MEMART)
• All regulatory permits related to your business operation
• Federal Department of Fisheries FDF Allocation (Import Quota) letter mandatory for whole-gutted frozen fish import.
• Evidence of NAQS Facility Inspection License
• Other details/information accompanying the product and consignment i.e. port embarkment, port of disembarkment, country of export, purpose of importation, etc.

Fees & Charges for NAQS Sanitary Certificate

• Approved fee schedule for import of Aquatic Products based on the categories of aquatic animals. (Insert link to Appendix 24 – Aquatic Import User Fees)

Timeline

• Forty-eight (48) hours upon fulfilment of all stated requirements.

Legal Justification

• NAQS Establishment Act 2018

Recourse:

Name: SM Tanto (Insert image available in Appendix 18)

Contact Number: 07056893124

Email: contact@naqs.gov.ng; Senyamba.tanto@naqs.gov.ng

NAQS Procedures/Steps (Aquatic Import):

• Ensure your consignment is not on the NCS prohibition
• Locate the nearest Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) office and inform them of your import permit details and the arrival date of your consignment.
• Write an application to the NAQS Aquatic Resources Quarantine (ARQ) Department requesting them of your import permit (details include product description, common and scientific name, quantity, HS code, mode of packaging, means of transportation, expected date of arrival etc.)
• The NAQS inspection team will evaluate your processing plant/pond and activities, and present a report. (cold-storage/processing/warehousing facility are inspected for imported aquatic products, Pest Risk Assessment PRA is conducted and nursery/grow-out ponds inspection for live aquatic-organism)
• Upon satisfactory PRA and/or inspection report, import permit shall be issued after payment.
• Validity of import permit is per each import consignment.

Institution/Systems:

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS)

What do you get?

NAQS Import Permit for Plants

NAQS Reg Requirements:

• Completed application form
• CITES Permit (Issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment)
• Phytosanitary/Health Certificate of Plants (From the Country of Origin)
• Other documents accompanying the product and consignment i.e. port embarkment, port of disembarkment, country of export, purpose of importation, e.t.c

Fees & Charges, and Timeline for NAQS Import Permit

• Approved fees schedule and timeline for import of Plants/Plants Products per crop type/variety (Insert link to Appendix 25 – Plant Import User Fees)

Legal Justification

• NAQS Establishment Act 2018

Recourse:

Name: SM Tanto (Insert image available in Appendix 18)

Contact Number: 07056893124

Email: contact@naqs.gov.ng; Senyamba.tanto@naqs.gov.ng

NAQS Procedures/Steps:

• Ensure your consignment is not on the NCS prohibition
• Locate the nearest Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) office
• Request and fill out an import permit application form.
• Inform NAQS of your import details and the arrival date of your consignment.
• Declare your plants/plant product or consignment for inspection and certification by NAQS when you arrive at the point of entry.
• Pay the government-approved token fee to get the import permit.
• The NAQS officers will inspect your consignment and ensure that the consignments of plants/plant products are pest free at the time of examination, upon entry.
• If the product is deemed satisfactory, it will be released and an import permit will be issued. Otherwise, it will be detained for further quarantine action.
• Laboratory checks and certification will be performed on the product.
• If your product, or consignment does not meet the requirements, you will have to pay user fees for further necessary quarantine action.
• If the plant is infested with pests, NAQS may seize it for further necessary action or destroy it at your expense.
• The issuance of the import permit depends on the risk involved, and it may not be issued if the plant type is prohibited or the country of origin is high risk.
• An import permit is valid for a period of 12 months.
• Plant materials imported without an import permit can be destroyed or reshipped at your expense.
• Importers of bio-agents must submit a dossier showing the biology and efficacy of the bio-agents used in previous trials.

• Proforma Invoice: A proforma invoice is a preliminary invoice that serves as a binding agreement between the buyer and seller, providing a quotation for goods or services to be provided, while outlining the terms and conditions of the sale.
• Insurance Certificate: This is a proof of insurance coverage for the goods and protecting both the importer and exporter in the event of loss or damage during transit.
• Certificate of Origin: The CoO is a necessary document for importers in Nigeria as it is required by Nigerian Customs, ensures compliance with trade agreements and regulations, and provides important information about the product’s origin.
• PAAR: The Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) is an electronic clearance document issued by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) that serves as proof of clearance and allows for the release of the goods.
• Single Goods Declaration (SGD) Form: This is a document used by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to capture information about imported goods, including type, quantity, and value.
• Packing list: This is a document that provides a detailed list of all the items included in the shipment, including the quantity and description of each item.
• Bill of Lading: This is a document issued by the shipping company that details the shipment of goods and serves as proof of ownership and receipt of goods.