SONCAP Certification: Your Gateway to the Nigerian Market

Fast, Reliable, and SON-Authorized Compliance Solutions by HQTS

Navigating the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) is critical for any exporter targeting Africa’s largest economy. As of March 27, 2026, the Nigerian government has mandated that all certification processes migrate to the National Single Window (NSW) platform.

HQTS, an officially appointed Independent Accredited Firm (IAF) by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), provides the end-to-end expertise you need to secure your certificates and avoid costly port delays.

With HQTS as your IAF partner, you gain:

• Official Authorization: Direct liaison with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

• Risk Mitigation: Elimination of penalties and port “dumping” risks.

• Speed to Market: Seamless transition from inspection to SC issuance and PAAR activation.

How to Obtain the SONCAP Certificate

Compliance follows a structured workflow to ensure imported items align with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).

Steps for obtainingin SONCAP Compliance:

1. Product Certificate (PC): Obtained during the initial export planning stage; it is the prerequisite for opening an e-Form M.
2. E-Form M: Once the PC is issued, the importer uses the trade portal to validate it and populate the e-Form M. The completed application is then electronically transmitted to NICIS
3. Shipment (SONCAP) Certificate (SC): Issued on a per-shipment basis following successful inspection. To apply for the SC, importers must provide their Tax Identification (TIN) Number along with the PC, final/commercial invoice and approved e-form M
4. PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report): Upon receiving the SONCAP Certificate (SC), the importer activates it via the trade portal to initiate the PAAR application. By providing the necessary details and submitting them to the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), an electronic PAAR is generated—provided all submitted data is valid.

Key requirements to obtain SONCAP Certification

To clear Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), every regulated shipment requires two distinct levels of certification. HQTS manages both:

1. Product Certificate (PC)

The prerequisite for opening an e-Form M. Exporters must choose a route based on shipment frequency and quality management systems (QMS):

• PCU (Unregistered): For one-off or infrequent shipments.

• PCR (Registered): For regular exporters with a verified Quality Management System.

• PCL (Licensed): For high-volume manufacturers requiring long-term market access.

2. Shipment Certificate (SC / CoC)

The mandatory document for every individual consignment. Issued on a per-shipment basis following successful inspection. To apply for the SC, importers must provide their Tax Identification (TIN) Number along with the PC, final/commercial invoice and approved e-form M

• Issued after successful physical inspection and testing.

• Required to trigger the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) for final customs clearance.

Product Scope & Exemptions

While most manufactured goods require a CoC, certain categories are regulated or strictly exempt.

Mandatory Regulated Sectors Include:

• Automotive: Vehicles, motorcycles, and all spare parts.
• Electrical & Electronics: Including all electrical fittings.
• Chemicals & Petroleum: Petroleum appliances and CNG accessories for gas/kerosene stoves.
• Consumer Goods: Toys, childcare products, textiles, leather, footwear, and furniture.

New Requirement: As of 2025, all certifications must use the mandatory 10-digit H.S. Code from the Nigeria Customs Tariff.

Official Exempted Products:

• Food products and drugs (medicines).
• Medical supplies (excluding equipment and machines).
• Chemicals used as raw materials by bona fide manufacturers.
• Military wares and equipment.
• Used products (excluding automobiles).

The HQTS CoC Inspection Advantage

As a global leader in quality control, we don’t just “check boxes”—we protect your supply chain.

• Global Network: Rapid inspection capabilities across China, India, and the Middle East.

• Accredited Testing: Analysis performed in ISO/IEC 17025 certified laboratories.

• Loading Supervision: We witness the stuffing and sealing of Full Container Loads (FCL) to ensure cargo integrity.

• Digital Activation: We manage the mandatory activation of certificates on the Federal Government of Nigeria Single Window portal.