On February 1, 2013, Cotecna, one of the world’s leading international testing, inspection and certification companies, was officially appointed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to join Nigeria’s revised Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP).
Cotecna wishes to inform all stakeholders about the latest directive from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) regarding the mandatory use of 10-digit Harmonized System (H.S.) Codes from the Nigeria Customs & Excise Tariff, CET book for the issuance of Product and Shipment certificates.
Key Compliance Update
As per SON’s directive, all Independent Accredited Firms (IAFs) must strictly adhere to the 10-digit H.S. Code before issuing certifications. This requirement applies to all regulated products and any new Product Certificates (PCs) issued under the SONCAP program.
Why This Matters
This directive reinforces regulatory compliance, enhances transparency, and ensures product safety in the Nigerian market. It also minimizes discrepancies and inaccuracies in product classification, thereby improving trade efficiency.
How to Verify the 10-Digit H.S. Code
To ensure compliance with the SONCAP update, clients are urged to verify their 10-digit H.S. Codes through the Common External Tariff (CET) webpage. If the required code is not found, stakeholders should contact Cotecna Nigeria directly for assistance. https://customs.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CET-rules.pdf
What You Need to Do
- Verify your product’s 10-digit H.S. Code via the CET webpage.
- Ensure all new Product Certificates (PCs) include the 10-digit H.S. Code before submission.
- Contact Cotecna Nigeria for any discrepancies or missing codes.
Failure to comply with this directive may result in certification delays or rejections. To avoid any interruptions in your trade processes, we urge all clients to adhere to this new requirement promptly.
For inquiries or assistance, please contact Cotecna Nigeria.
About Cotecna
For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.