The Process (summarised)
Intertek central coordinating office have put together a team of experts to assist you in fulfilling the requirements of SONCAP. Demonstrating compliance with SONCAP is a two stage process.
The first stage, Product Certification, is applicable only the first time that you wish to export a particular type or model of product. A Product Certificate will be issued after the submission of an acceptable Test Report to the local SON Country Office. The resulting Product Certificate can be valid for up to three years but is dependent upon the age of the Test Report.
The second stage, SONCAP Certification, is applicable on a shipment by shipment basis.
All Certification will be performed by your local SON Country Office (SON CO)
Here is how the Program works:
To obtain a Product Certificate
- Exporter contacts the appropriate SON Country Office (SON CO) and submits a completed Request for Product Certification (RFPC) together with Test Report(s) which show that the products being exported meet the standards acceptable to SON. The SON CO will perform a technical review of the Test Report to ensure its acceptability under the SONCAP.
- If the Test Report is deemed acceptable then a Product Certificate will be issued. This Product Certificate will have a maximum validity of up to three years from the date of issue of the Test Report . If the Test Report is not deemed acceptable then the reasons for rejection will be provided
To obtain a SONCAP Certificate
To obtain a SONCAP Certificate an Exporter must first possess a Product Certificate (see above)
- Exporter contacts the appropriate SON Country Office (SON CO) and submits acompleted Request for SONCAP Certification (RFSC) together with the Final Invoice
- The SON CO will then review the submitted documentation and if deemed appropriate undertake consignment intervention for the purpose of ensuring that the goods being shipped conform to international safety/performance standards. Upon a satisfactory outcome the SON CO will issue a SONCAP Certificate to the Exporter who in turn should forward it to the Importer. When the shipment arrives at the Nigerian port of entry, the Importer is required to present the SONCAP Certificate to Customs and SON technical staff. Each Certificate will be checked for authenticity and matching details. If satisfactory, the goods will be approved for Customs clearance.
If consumer goods arrive without a SONCAP Certificate
i) they may be rejected in which the importer/exporter will be required to re-export the goods at his own expense. Or
ii) the goods may be sent for testing locally or abroad and the importer/exporter will be expected to bear all costs and delays including further SON administration fees
For further information on SONCAP please view our Downloads section where you may access the latest printed material
To discuss any queries that you may have or to begin the process of complying with the SONCAP please contact your nearest SON Country Office.pdf.
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