The differences between Product Certificates and SONCAP Certificates.

The differences between Product Certificates and SONCAP Certificates.

Product Certificates (PC)

Purpose: Product Certificates are issued to confirm that a product meets the required standards and regulations before it is shipped to Nigeria.

Types: There are three types of Product Certificates:

PC1 (Unregistered Status): Valid for one shipment only.

PC2 (Registered Status): Valid for one year and multiple shipments.

PC3 (Licensed Status): Also valid for one year and multiple shipments, but for products that have a consistent quality record1.

Issuance: These certificates are issued after the product undergoes testing and inspection to ensure compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) or other approved standards.

SONCAP Certificate (SC)

Purpose: The SONCAP Certificate is a mandatory customs clearance document required for importing regulated products into Nigeria.

Issuance: It is issued after the Product Certificate has been obtained and the product has passed the necessary conformity assessments, including physical inspection, sampling, and testing.

Validity: The SONCAP Certificate is specific to each shipment and must be obtained for every consignment of regulated products1.

In summary, the Product Certificate ensures that the product meets the required standards before shipment, while the SONCAP Certificate is necessary for customs clearance upon arrival in Nigeria.

If you already have a Product Certificate you can get your SONCAP certificate through our portal!