The SONCAP Certificate of Conformity (SC) is a mandatory clearance document required by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), serving as the official paperwork necessary for customs clearance of goods in Nigeria. Issued for each export shipment based on an obtained Product Certificate (PC), it represents the concept of "batch approval."

Core Concepts and Prerequisites：

Understanding SC certification requires grasping these key characteristics and prerequisites:

1.One Certificate per Shipment Principle: Each SC is valid for a specific batch of goods. Every export shipment requires a separate SC certificate, which cannot be reused for other shipments.

2.Dependency on PC: The prerequisite for SC application is that the exported product model must already possess a valid Product Certificate (PC). The PC serves as the product's "ID card," proving compliance with Nigerian standards.

3.Critical Clearance Document: Goods arriving at Nigerian ports must present the SC certificate to complete customs clearance.

  SC Certificate Application Process and Materials:

Once you hold a valid PC and your goods are ready for shipment, follow this process to apply for the SC:

1.Importer Applies for Form M: Your Nigerian importer must first use the PC you provided to apply for a Form M (Import Declaration) at their local bank.

2.Prepare and Submit Application Materials: Gather these core documents and submit the SC application through SON or an authorized third-party agency：

·SC Application Form (must be stamped)

·Declaration of Conformity (must be hand-signed and stamped)

·Valid PC (electronic copy)

·Form M (electronic copy)

·Power of Attorney (must be in English)

·Commercial Invoice and Packing List for the shipment

·Bill of Lading copy

·Possible Pre-shipment Inspection: Depending on product risk level and PC type (e.g., PC1), some shipments may require on-site inspection by a SON-authorized agency to verify consistency between goods and documents, potentially including sampling.

·Review and Certificate Issuance: With complete documents and passing review (and any necessary inspections), the certification body issues the SC for that shipment. With complete documents, SC review and issuance are typically fast, taking about 1 business day.

  Important Notes and New Regulations:

When applying for the SC, pay special attention to these key points and recent developments:

1.Severe Consequences of Non-Compliance: Regulated products without a valid SONCAP certificate will be detained by Nigerian customs upon arrival.

2.preventing clearance. Goods may be subject to sampling and testing at the trader's expense, and if deemed non-compliant, may be confiscated or destroyed.

3.Electronic System Upgrade: According to 2025 updates, Nigeria has implemented an electronic certification system integrated with the customs system (NICIS). This makes SC application and issuance more efficient and transparent, speeding up clearance and preventing certificate forgery.

4.Beware of Fake Certification: Always work through SON directly or its authorized international inspection and certification bodies. Do not trust agents offering "no testing" or "low-cost, fast-track" services to avoid the risk of fake certificates leading to cargo seizure and significant losses.

  SC Certificate Costs and Timeline Reference:

1.Costs: The SC fee is typically charged per shipment, approximately $500-$2,000, generally calculated as 0.5%-3% of the shipment value. If pre-shipment inspection is required, an additional inspection service fee applies.

2.Timeline: As noted, SC review is very fast, usually completed within 1 business day after document submission. However, allow more time for the entire process (including importer's Form M application, document preparation/transfer, and possible inspections).

For professional certification consulting services, contact BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140.