Route B: Registered Products

Product registration through issuance of a Product Certificate (Registered), or PC(R), is offered to clients who have regular shipments of the same or similar products. Some of the advantages of obtaining the PC(R) are:

• Decrease of sample testing frequency
• Random shipment inspections
• Cost effectiveness

There are two steps that must be completed in order to comply with the Federal Government of Nigeria import requirements.

1. Product Certificate (Registered) - PC(R)

The PC(R) is valid for one year. It is accepted for issuance of multiple SCs during its validity period. The PC (R) is a mandatory document for obtaining a SONCAP Certificate (SC) and it is also needed to pre-declare the import in Nigeria (opening of the Form M).

To obtain a PC(R), the product manufacturer should have a Quality Management System (QMS) in place, such as ISO 9001, ISO 16949, ISO 13485 etc.

The exporter must also provide test reports for every product, either from an ISO 17025 laboratory or from the manufacturer laboratory provided that the testing has been witnessed by Cotecna.

The PC(R) is granted upon:

• Satisfactory assessment of the manufacturer’s Quality Management System (QMS).
• Reception of acceptable product evaluation documents, such as test reports, factory assessment reports or witness testing reports.

Result: Cotecna will issue a PC(R).

2. SONCAP Certificate Issuance

The SONCAP Certificate (SC) is valid only for one particular shipment. It is a mandatory document for Customs clearance. The manufacturer / exporter must:

• Complete and send Cotecna the Request for Certification (RFC) form
• Ensure that all the regulated goods of the shipment are covered by one or more valid Product Certificates.
• Submit final documents to Cotecna

Under Route B Cotecna will selectively organize the following:

• Selective physical inspection of at least 40% of shipments per quarter.
• Sample testing: samples are drawn by Cotecna during the inspection of the shipment or under Cotecna supervision at the manufacturer's premises and will be tested as per applicable standards.
• Acceptance of Test Reports as long as they are issued by:
  • An accredited ISO 17025 laboratory
  • The manufacturer's laboratory if testing was witnessed by Cotecna
• Loading supervision of Full Container Loads (FCL)
• Seal of FCL container(s)

Result: Cotecna will deliver a SONCAP Certificate (SC) upon compliance with above requirements. In the event of non-compliance with the testing and/or inspection requirements, Cotecna shall issue a Non Conformity Report (NCR).

Request a SONCAP Certificate

To learn more about the SONCAP programme, or to get a certificate for your exports, please send us a request.