Entering the Nigerian Market: SONCAP

SONCAP is the pre-shipment conformity programme applied to regulated products imported into Nigeria. It consists of two documents: the product-based Product Certificate (PC) and the shipment-based SONCAP Certificate (SC).

The PC application is made by the manufacturer or exporter; the SC is shipment-based and is matched with the importer's application.

• A test report to the Nigerian standard (NIS) or an accepted international standard
• The Product Certificate (PC)
• The shipment invoice and packing list
• The pre-shipment inspection report
• Importer details and Form M

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• Two documents are required: the PC (product) and the SC (shipment)
• The assessment is carried out in the country of origin before loading
• A shipment without a certificate carries the risk of penalties and return
• The Form M details and the certificate details must match

1. 01The product certificate and the shipment certificateThese are two separate documents obtained in sequence: the product certificate is tied to the model and time-limited, while the shipment certificate is obtained for every consignment and is what is required at customs.
2. 02SONCAP and other pre-shipment programmesThe same model runs under different names in different countries; the scope, authorised bodies and the two-tier structure differ by country.
3. 03Product registration and physical inspectionFor a registered product with a history, document review predominates; on a first shipment, physical inspection and testing come into play.
4. 04Pre-shipment inspection and customsThe inspection takes place before loading; at customs only the document is verified and a missing document cannot be completed afterwards.

This page describes entry into the Africa (PVoC) market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.

This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.