Nigerian SONCAP – Update for Life Endangering Products

On 30th March 2017, the new procedure for certifying shipments and issuing SONCAP Certification relating to Life Endangering Products went live.

This means that all exporters/importers with shipments that include a host of products, from electrical parts to safety glasses, can now only be certified SONCAP if they have a valid Product Certificate.  This certificate must have been issued either through Route A (PC 1 /Unregistered) or through Route C (PC3 / License).

Chantelle Rowe, Director at IOE&IT corporate member, XDS Solutions, says; “We are advising all exporters/importers involved in shipping products to Nigeria to look closely at their existing processes, and to take action to safeguard their supply chain.  A few small amendments can iron out any issues, but to prevent delays this must be done prior to shipments arriving at Nigerian Customs”. 

To help, XDS Solutions has also provided examples of how this new SONCAP procedure may affect exporters:

1. Previously operated via a PC2 (Route B)

SONCAP will no longer be issued.  In this instance, a PC1 with Inspection or a PC3 is required to certify this shipment.

2. Previously operated via Product Certificate - Unregistered (Route A)

All shipments will now require an inspection to include both packing and sealing of FCL Containers.  The PC-U will be valid for 6 months.

3. Previously operated via Product Certificate - License (Route C)

This route is now only available to manufacturers.  The PC-L will be valid for 1 year, and at minimum 1 shipment will need to be inspected every six months.

Nigerian SONCAP list of life endangering products including HS codes:

•             Automobile Glass 70071, 700721

•             Batteries 8506 - 8507

•             Brake Fluids 27101932-33, 3819, 38255

•             Brake Pads 6813, 85052, 86072, 87083, 8714,

•             Cements 2523

•             Cigarettes 2401-2403, 9613 - 9614

•             Converters, Chargers etc. 8504

•             Electrical Cables 8544

•             Electrical Fuses 8535 - 8539

•             Electrical Parts 7614, 7616991, 90309,

•             Electrical switches 73023, 85365, 864721

•             Fertilizer 3101 - 3104

•             Gas Regulator 903289

•             Gypsum 2520

•             Heaters 8516, 84191

•             Helmets/Safety Headgear 6506

•             Lightening Arrestors 85462

•             Lubricating Preparation 340319, 340399, 381129,38119, 381119

•             Matches 36050

•             Paints 3208 - 3210002000

•             Razor 3212

•             Safety Belts 87082

•             Safety Glasses 70071-7008

•             Sanitary Pads 9619

•             Solar Panels 841919, 85414

•             Stabilizer 85321

•             Steel Bars 7207 - 7228

•             Steel Roofing Sheets 7038909

•             Storage Vessels (LPG Cylinders, etc.) 3606, 7311, 76130,

•             Telephones 85171

•             Tyres 4011

Concerned with how the new procedure for certifying shipments and issuing SONCAP Certification relating to Life Endangering Products will impact your business?  Talk to an XDS Account Manager.  Early planning will streamline export compliance and ensure all the mandatory export documents are in place, before your shipment leaves the warehouse.

Further reading:

Take a look at our recent IOE/XDS blog, all about the mandatory Nigerian SONCAP certification process ‘7 steps to understanding SONCAP'

Exporters who are concerned about the complexities of international compliance can also boost their knowledge base by enrolling staff on the Institute’s Diploma in World Customs Compliance & Regulations. The pioneering 18 month to two-year online course offers part-time blended learning, with modular assessments - and leads to a full customs qualification at level 5 diploma level. You can check it out here – where you will also find details of our complete range of professional qualifications.

About XDS Solutions

Chelmsford-based XDS Solutions was launched in 2013 to offer export managers a fast and simple way to manage customs clearance. With more than 12 years’ experience in export compliance, its founders knew well the frustration felt at being unable to find a straightforward route. Instead of slow, complex, web-based conformity assessment programmes which fail to take into account unique business requirements, an XDS expert advisor personally manages every step of each client’s export compliance journey.

To discuss your firm’s export procedures, including faster SASO & SONCAP customs clearance documentation, visit XDS-solutions.com.