Nigeria’s SONCAP conformity requirement
SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme) is a pre-shipment conformity assessment regime for products shipped to Nigeria. It is administered by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and confirms that regulated goods comply with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), recognised international standards, or applicable Nigerian technical regulations before they leave the country of export.
Programme name
SONCAP, with two main document types: the Product Certificate (PC) at product level — PC1 Unregistered, PC2 Registered, PC3 Licensed — and the SONCAP Certificate (SC) at shipment level.
Products covered
Electrical and electronic products
Lighting equipment
Wires and cables
Hardware tools
Machinery and mechanical equipment
Building materials
Automotive vehicles and parts
Plastic products
Household products
Selected industrial products
Regulatory basis
Managed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Conformity is assessed against Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), recognised international standards, or applicable Nigerian technical regulations.
Documents required
Product information: name, brand, model, HS code
Product specifications and photographs
Test report complying with the applicable standard
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Exporter and importer details
Importer Form M details
Shipment information
Project flow
Confirm whether the product is regulated under SONCAP
Confirm the applicable standard (NIS or recognised international)
Review existing test reports for coverage and validity
Apply for the appropriate Product Certificate (PC1, PC2 or PC3)
Importer processes Form M and related import procedures
Prepare shipment documents (invoice, packing list, Form M, shipper and consignee, product and shipment info)
Complete conformity assessment: document review, testing if required, sampling, pre-shipment inspection, factory audit
Obtain the SONCAP Certificate for Nigerian import clearance
Pre-shipment only. SONCAP is a pre-shipment conformity regime and must be completed before the goods leave the port of origin. Shipments that have already departed face additional costs, customs delays, and the risk of cargo being held. Plan certification time into the vessel cut-off.