SONCAP Testing & Certification,What is SONCAP Certification ?

SONCAP certification details

1. SONCAP certification process

Currently (December 2020), SONCPA certification is to issue a SONCPA certificate (SC certificate) domestically after obtaining the bill of lading. The electronic copy can be handed over to the foreign importer for customs clearance. The specific process is as follows:

Step 1: The exporter applies for the SONCPA product certificate PC certificate, and the PC certificate will be issued after submitting complete information. (Time: 2-3 working days) (Note: Apply for PC1, PC2 or PC3 according to the actual situation)

Step 2: After the customer obtains the PC certificate, it is handed over to the Nigerian buyer to apply for the import customs clearance quota (FORM M) from the local bank. After the buyer obtains the FORM M, it is handed over to the domestic exporter.

Step 3: The exporter submits: packing list, invoice, applied PC certificate, FORM M to determine the time and place to apply for inspection (non-high-risk ordinary products do not need to be inspected). After the inspection is completed, the shipment is completed and the bill of lading is submitted. The SONCPA certificate (SC certificate) will be issued in 2-3 working days and handed over to the Nigerian importer for customs clearance (electronic copies are sufficient).

Specific products will have some differences in details. You can provide HS CODE and product name for judgment and query.

Note: After the PC certificate and SC certificate are issued, the Nigerian importer needs to activate them with their own company information. If the importer is unclear, an activation tutorial PPT can be provided.

2. Information required for SONCAP certification:

PC certificate: Fill in the PC application form, applicant's business license, ISO 9001 (if any), product description and usage description.

SC certificate: SC application form, PC certificate, FORM M, packing list, invoice, bill of lading.

3. The differences between the three PC certificates of SONCAP certification:

PC1: The PC certificate is not registered. The certificate is only valid for 6 months and can only be used once, so the additional model fee is only 42 US dollars per unit. It is suitable for situations where there are many models and the shipment is no more than once a year.

PC2: Registration status PC certificate. The certificate is valid for 1 year. There is no limit to the number of uses within the validity period. The additional model fee is US$84 per unit. It is suitable for applications for most ordinary products that are not high-risk controls.

PC3: License status PC certificate, the certificate is valid for 1 year, and there is no limit to the number of uses during the validity period. The additional model fee is 84 US dollars per unit, and the factory needs to be audited. Compared with the 300 US dollars certificate fee for PC1 and PC2, the PC3 certificate fee is 1,300 US dollars. US$300/each additional product name, US$84/each additional model, suitable for situations where high-risk controlled products are frequently shipped within one year.

Note: High-risk controlled products (there are currently 31 major categories) are currently only allowed to apply for PC1 or PC3, and must be inspected.

4. Product range applicable to SONCAP certification:

Currently, most products are within the scope of control (you can contact us for a detailed list).

Except the following products:

foodstuffs

Drugs (drugs)

Medical supplies other than equipment and machines

Chemicals used by regular manufacturers as raw materials.

Military supplies and equipment

Goods classified as contraband by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Second-hand products other than automobiles

Bona fide manufacturers interested in importing machinery or related spare parts for production are advised to apply for a SONCAP import license from SONCAP to be able to import (link to import license).

The Federal Government, through the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Integrated Import Regulation Scheme (CISS) established at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), may from time to time add or delete regulated products under the scheme. The Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Comprehensive Import Surveillance Program will always issue appropriate notifications through the Central Bank of Nigeria and allow sufficient time between the publication of measures and their implementation to enable full compliance.

5. SONCAP certification fees:

The cost details involved in SONCAP certification include:

PC certificate fee: PC1 and PC2: US$300/each product name, PC3: US$1,300/unit + US$300/each additional product name

PC additional model fee: PC1: US$42/each additional model, PC2 and PC3: US$84/each additional model

SC certificate fee: US$300/each ticket

Agency service fee: According to the specific certificate type and product information: 300-3000 yuan

Invoicing tax: 6% of the total amount

If the certificate is modified after it is issued, a certificate modification fee will be incurred: US$150/each modification

The specific cost will be determined by the customer based on the HS CODE, product name, model quantity, and supplementary requirements provided by the customer.

6. SONCAP certification high-risk control list:

There are currently 31 major categories, which are mainly judged based on HS CODE. The specific HS CODE details are as follows:

70071, 700721

8506 – 8507

27101932-33, 3819, 38255

6813, 85052, 86072, 87083, 8714

2523

2401-2403, 9613 – 9614

8504

8544

8535 – 8539

7614, 7616991, 90309

73023, 85365, 864721

3101 – 3104

903289

2520

8516, 84191

6506

85462

340319, 340399, 381129, 38119,381119

36050

3208 – 3210002000

3212

87082

70071-7008

9619

841919, 85414

85321

7207 – 7228

7038909

3606, 7311, 76130

85171

4011

7. Introduction to SONCAP certification:
SONCAP is a pre-shipment verification of conformity to standards process used to verify, prior to shipment, that products to be imported into Nigeria comply with applicable NIS or approved equivalent standards and technical regulations.

According to SONCAP regulations, imported goods must be verified and tested in the country of supply (export) and issued with a SONCAP Certificate (SC) to prove that the product complies with applicable standards and regulations, or in the country or region where the goods are located, a Non-Conformity Report (NCR) ) does not comply.

Elements of conformity assessment conducted in SONCAP include, but are not limited to, pre-shipment physical inspection, sampling, testing and analysis by accredited laboratories, audits of product processes and systems, and document inspection for regulatory compliance and overall compliance with standards. Evaluate.

8. The purpose of SONCAP certification:

The goals of the program include, but are not limited to, the following:

Before exporting to Nigeria, ensure that regulated products comply with NIS or approved standards
Provide a level playing field in terms of quality of regulated and locally manufactured products to prevent unfair competition
Prevent dumping of substandard goods into the Nigerian market thereby preventing economic losses to importers and the country as a whole
Preventing loss of life and property including foreign exchange considering payment has been made to the exporting country/exporter for goods shipped to Nigeria
Prevent any adverse reactions from regulatory agencies when such products arrive in Nigeria (such as environmental contamination due to destruction of substandard products)
Facilitate trade through fast customs clearance at ports
Encouraging real investors and investment in Nigeria
Promote Made in Nigeria products
Save foreign exchange
9. Inspection precautions for applying for SC certificate for high-risk controlled products:

1. Please confirm that the goods have been produced and packaged before inspection. Stack the goods to be inspected according to different types and specifications and prepare a packing list for the inspector to count the quantities. If the inspection requirements are not met within 1 hour of the arrival of the inspector, the inspector has the right to refuse the inspection. To re-inspect the goods, you need to make a new appointment and pay high re-inspection fees and inspection travel expenses. Please be sure to check the goods before Ensure that the inspection requirements are met before

2. Please arrange an exporter’s representative at the inspection site. He or she can:

A Answer questions raised by the inspector about the goods, arrange necessary labor and equipment, unpack and repack the goods

B can assist in handling emergencies, sign and confirm the inspection report on behalf of your company, and obtain the on-site inspection report.

C Provide other necessary equipment for inspection

Specific requirements: The inspection mainly checks the product, quantity, packaging, and shipping mark labels.

SC:

1. Goods: The goods must be consistent with the PC certificate (FORM M) goods, the goods must be brand new (second-hand products must be informed in advance, there are other requirements), clean and flat

2. Packaging: If shipped naked, the main product does not need to be packaged, but the accessories still need to be packaged. If packaged for shipment, all products must be packaged and await unpacking inspection

3. Quantity: During the inspection, the quantity of each model and product is consistent with the application form and packing list. The final shipment quantity cannot be more than the inspection quantity (the inspector will verify the quantity of each model and product on site and record it during the inspection. In the cargo report, the final certificate will be issued with reference to the quantity on the inspection report)

4. Mark or label: The product name, model, brand (if there is a brand on the PC, the brand must be marked) and made in china must be marked on the package or the product itself, which is consistent with the PC certificate. If it is shipped separately, each component must be labeled with the complete product name, model, brand and "made in china"