STANDARD ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA IMPORT/EXPORT

INSPECTION GUIDELINES.
1. SON ENABLING ACT

The standard organization of Nigeria (SON) was established by Act No.56 of

1971 and was solely vested with the responsibility for preparing standards
for products and processes and for ensuring compliance with the federal
government policies on standards metrology and quality assurance of both
locally manufactured and imported products and services throughout the
country Act No18 of 1990 excised the organization from being an integral
part of the federal ministry of industry and granted the organization the
status of a body cooperate with perpetual succession and common seal,
which may sue and be sued in its corporate name.

The role of SON at the ports is therefore to ensure compliance of imported

goods with established technical standard/specifications (conformity
assessment) in order to prevent importation/distribution of substandard
products into the Nigerian market.

In line with the statutory Acts establishing the Standards Organization of

Nigeria and the presidential directive of the federal government in 1988 to
participate in the regulation of quality of imported and exported goods to
establish its physical presence at the ports, a full fledged port inspection
scheme then became operational in 1989.

The scheme consists of the following:

1. Inspection/examination and sampling of imported products

2. Laboratory test and analysis

3. Release or rectification of temporary impoundment (detention)

4. Seizure and destruction of poor quality imported products.

Category of exported and imported items to be inspected/examined for

compliance with standard or specification by Son include, among
others

• Chemical and allied products

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 • Civil engineering related products

• Electrical/electronic products

• Food and codex products

• Mechanical engineering related products

• Textile and leather products

Other items or products as may from time to time be directed for

sampling by the federal government through the authority of the
director general (SON) also came under compliance inspection.

2. SAMPLING EXERCISE AT THE PORTS.

A sample for the purpose of the services referred to here shall

mean any product or entity that is brought into SON store for
laboratory tests and investigation .it shall be understood to be an
economically and technically needed quantity of the products
referencing for consumer advocacy in compliance with relevant
standards or specifications .all test samples shall be duly marked
and numbered at the point of sampling .this identification mark
should be maintained for the entire record of the sample .however ,
it is not in all cases that products samples are taken.

3. SON REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTED PRODUCTS.

The following are the general requirements of the standard

Organisation of Nigeria with respect to compliance inspection of
imported goods.

a. Name of products, country of origin, specification date of

manufacture, batch or lot number ,applicable standard(s) to which
they were produced(e.g. BS,DIN ISO/IEC,NIS etc and in cases of
items like soap, food drinks and such related products ,they should

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 carry expiry date or shelf life information as well as specification for
the active ingredient(s) where applicable.

b. Supply of wrong information with an intention to conceal

information will result in delay and /or impoundment/seizure with
attendant consequences

c. Products that fail to meet specifications automatically qualify for

seizure and destruction without warning.

d. All information in foreign language other than English shall be

translated into English

e. Electric lamps (fluorescent lamps and electric bulbs) shall carry

information on the ratings, among others.

f. All electronics equipments/items and instruments shall carry

instruction manual and not diagrams and notations on the
containers.

g. All electronic equipment/items and instruments shall carry safety

information and/or safety signs.

h. All electronic equipments/items and other items where applicable

shall carry Guaranty/Warranty information of at least six months.

i. Batteries must carry clearly the ratings and type.

j. Cooperation from other Government Agencies especially Nigeria

Ports Authority, Clearing Agents and the Nigeria Customs Services
in the area of information dissemination on incoming vessels and
products, inspections time, non-release by NPA of goods that have
not been inspected by SON.

k. Prompt response and cooperation from the Clearing Agents on

sampling.

Importers should also be aware of the fact that all goods and processed
materials are subject to SON’S inspection in accordance with the provisions
of its Enabling Law. Importers are strongly warned to comply with above
requirements as failure to do will lead to impoundment/seizure and/or

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destruction and other disciplinary measures considered commensurate with
the gravity of the offence(s).

4. INSPECTION/EXAMINATION AND SAMPLING

PROCEDURE
The following are the procedure for SON Inspection and sampling:

a. SON Terminal/Shed inspector attends joint Cargo Examination with

Officers of NCS, NPA, etc and collects Bill of Landing/Airway bill/Waybill
from clearing Agent/Importer.

b. SON Terminal/Shed Inspector samples the imported items of interest

and fills the inspection and sampling record sheet. The Clearing Agent
endorses the record sheet and copies are distributed to Imported and
NPA (at the ports), NCS (at the borders) and FAAN (at the airports) for
necessary action. Activity to be completed within 10-15 minutes.

c. Submit the above record sheet to the importer or representatives to

endorse the appropriate column.

d. Physically assess the product(s) for defects and take the following
action(s).

e. On satisfactory physical examination, issues conditional release letter

to improper on payment of Laboratory testing fee in bank draft to SON.

f. Unsatisfactory physically examination attracts detention notices from

SON. This is copied to Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Ports
Authority to prevent importers from removing the consignment until
adequate security and guarantee are provided. The importer is
directed to the head office to obtain clearance to move goods to the
warehouse to prevent demurrage and to allow time for rectification.

g. Sampled products are sent to SON laboratories for comprehensive

testing/analysis and results are made available within 48hrs of receipt
to the director-general’s office for importer to collect.

h. Test reports ready after 72 hrs at the Port/border coordinator’s

office/DG’s office for importer to collect (accept for electrical /
electronics items; which take about 1000 hours for a complete
performance test.

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 i. Products are seized for either destruction or rectification if the product
fails conformity assessment to relevant NIS Standard(s).

j. A final release letter is issued by the Director-General (SON) to

importers of conforming products to sell from their warehouse(s).

Note: Refusal by importer for SON to inspect/sample is a serious offence

that can attract detention or seizure, and possible prosecution.

5. HANDLING OF LIFE DANGER AND SPECIAL ITEMS.

Life danger products are those products which their non-conformance to

required specification pose potential danger to life and property and
therefore must not be allowed to reach the consumer unless they have
been tested and confirmed suitable. Some of them are:

• Motor vehicle tyres and other types of tyres.

• Food products.

• Electrical appliances and,

• Other electrical products such as bulbs, switches/gears,

• Cables

• Automobiles glass

• Galvanized steel rolling sheets and steel bars

These products are not allowed in anyway to get to consumers until they
have been tested to be compliant to specified requirements.

6. REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL PRODUCTS/LIFE DANGER ITEMS.

• Electric lamps (fluorescent lamps and electric bulbs) shall carry

information on life performance while cables should carry
information on the ratings, among others.

• All electronic equipment/items and instruments shall carry

instructional manual and not diagrams and notations on the
container.

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 • All electronic equipment/items and instruments shall carry safety
information and/or safety signs.

• All electronic equipment/items and other items where applicable

shall carry, Guaranty/Warranty information of at least six months.

• Batteries must clearly carry the ratings and type.

• Cables must be clearly labelled.

• Imported tyres should have details of manufacturing date,

applicable standard and appropriate markings that are not
deceptive to the consumer.

7. PROVISIONAL RELEASE FOR SPECIAL/LIFE DANGER ITEM.

As a result of the lead time in obtaining test results from the laboratory,
provisional release is granted to some life danger/special products listed
above. The provisional release allows the consignment to leave the ports
almost immediately within 48hours. The provisional release is granted upon
application by the importer submitted to the DG and subject to the
understanding that the goods will not be disposed of, in any manner pending
the outcome of the test result. In order to facilitate speedy clearance, the
guidelines for provisional release of products in this category are as follows:

Importers shall submit to SON the following documents prior to examination

inspection and sampling:

a. Application for provisional/conditional Release by the Importer.

b. Photocopies of Bill of Lading, Packing List/Invoice and CCVO (Combined

Certificate of Value and Origin).

c. Copy of certificates of In-corporation of the importer.

d. Name and address of importer and the authorized clearing agent.

e. Address of the importers warehouse.

f. Photocopy of current Customs Authority Form (Form C 30)

g. Bank draft/guaranty (5% of FOB Value)-a refundable deposit in case of

default.

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h. An undertaking duly signed by the importer assuring SON that
products released provisionally/conditionally will not be disposed of or
sold until SON issues final release letter to the importer.

Importer may submit the required document through any SON port
Offices located at various ports for convenience or may be submitted
directly to the Director General /Chief Executive’s Office at Plot 13/14,
Victoria Arobieke Street, Lekki, Lagos.

To avoid unnecessary delay, importers are strongly advised to ensure

strict compliance with the above requirements.

In line with the Federal Government directives and subsequent guidelines

for imports into Nigeria, the Standard Organization of Nigeria will
endeavour to release consignments of imported goods to the importers’
warehouse after inspection and sampling within the Government
stipulated period (48hours).

The issuance of provisional release letter signed by DG/CE or his

authorized officer will depend on the submission of/compliance with the
above requirements.

8. HANDLING/SEIZURE OF NON-CONFORMING IMPORTED

PRODUCTS.

The following steps are taken once it is established with empirical

evidence that a product is non-conforming to specified requirements.

a. ISSUANCE OF SEIZURE NOTICE:

It should be noted that temporary seizure may be issued when it is

established that the importer or his agent is avoiding or obstructing the
inspection of any consignment under SON’S jurisdiction, or when the
product is suspected to be substandard during inspection/examination.
This is equivalent to Detention in the parlance o f the ordinary layman.

b. ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF SEIZURE:

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A critically non-conforming consignment becomes impounded through a
letter of seizure. In the event where the non-conformity falls in the minor
category, the following action may be taken.

i. Bringing to the notice of the importer or his agent the non-conformity,

outlining the corrective action to be taken and the time frame (where
applicable)

ii. Issuance of a letter of warning to the effect.

iii. Ensuring that the corrective action or rectification is carried out. SON
will insist on evidence and its demonstration after granting conditional
release to the importer.

iv. When corrective action is not applicable directly to the products, other
appropriate action shall be specified to handle a particular anomaly.
The Director General, according to the merit of the case, may
determine any such action as from time to time.

v. Importer shall pay a handling charge depending on the magnitude of

the offence.

c. DISPOSAL OF NON-CONFORMING PRODUCTS

In the event of a major non-conformity or critical failure necessitating the

seizure and destruction of the product, the following steps shall apply:

i. The non-conformity and its attendant implication can be brought to the

attention of all parties concerned.

ii. In the absence of any litigation, SON shall seek the presence of the
Nigerian Police Force and other relevant government agencies such as
the Nigerian Custom’s Services, Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigerian
Navy etc to witness the destruction of the items.

iii. Thereafter a certificate of destruction will be issued to the importer.

9. NATIONAL PRODUCT REGISTRATION SCHEME.

SON carries out the registration of products (both locally manufactured

and imported). The registration provides a data base for compiling an

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inventory of products that requires standardization as well as information
on quality. It also provides information on what product is available, the
quality specifications, the owner (Manufacturer or importer as it is
appropriate). It is also used to check the influx of substandard products in
the country. Registration is renewable yearly and it is per product.
Product registration Form can be obtained at any of the Organization’s
offices throughout the country on payment of an application fee. It is also
an exercise that is of immense benefits to importers as it assists in
traceability to the importer.

The following procedures shall apply in SON product registration exercise.

a. Initial application is made to SON

b. All SON application forms are printed and numbered serially. They are
obtainable at the head office and/or at the zonal offices nearest to the
applicant on payment of the application fee.

c. All completed application forms shall be returned to SON Headquarters

with necessary documents as required in the application form.

d. Completed application form will then be forwarded to the Product

Registration Unit for review/processing.

e. The form is forwarded by the Product Registration Unit to the

Enforcement Section, Laboratory, Quality assurance, Zonal Office or
any other appropriate section for comments or verification.

f. Reports/results of tests/analysis/visitation/confirmation or inspections

are received from Enforcement Section, Laboratory, Quality assurance,
Zonal Office or any other appropriate section, where required, by the
Product Registration Unit.

g. Satisfactory reports are sent to the DG (SON), including

recommendations of the Registration Unit.

h. On approval of the DG, the applicant is asked to pay the required fee.

i. Registration certificate is then released to the applicants with proof of

payment of Registration fees from the Accounts Departments.

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j. Registration Unit thereafter keeps necessary records including
Registration Number, fees paid and copies of registration documents.

k. Where the product is not up to a full container load (FCL),

administrative consideration shall be applied.

l. Registration is per product. Each product shall be registered

separately.

m. Registration is renewable yearly.

10. PRESHIPMENT INSPECTION OF GOODS FOR EXPORTS.

The general requirements for inspection of locally made goods for export
are as follows:-

Prospective Exporter, wishing to have his products certified shall apply to

the Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).

The application shall be forwarded upon receipt of confirmed order for

export, but not later than two weeks before shipment.

The following shall accompany the application:

a. Name and full location/address of the exporter

b. Name of product and Importers Specification(s)

c. Copy of completed NXP Form (if available at the time of application,

otherwise later)

d. Copy of NEPC certificates of Registration

e. Quantity/Volume of Export

f. Name and address of the Exporter (if different from (a) above)

g. Name and address of the Importer/Buyer

h. Name and Telephone Number of Exporters Representative (If known)

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i. Indication by Exporter whether holder of NIS mark and/or NIS:ISO
9000/14000 Certificate.

j. Type of Packaging used or to be used.

k. Exporters test report on product for export

l. Any other relevant information e.g. Date of manufacture, Expiry Date,

Operational Manual, Proforma Invoice and Standards to which product
was manufactured. (NIS, BSI, DIN, JIS) AFNOR, Company standard, etc)
should be stated.

11. LABORATORY TEST AND ANALYSIS

The samples collected are tested in accordance with the specified test
methods in the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and where there is
no NIS, applicable international standards e.g. ISO, IEC, CODEX, etc,
are used for analysis and tests.

Tests are also performed at accredited laboratories for repeatability

and reproducibility reasons. The lead-time between the receipt of an
item and the completion of the test varies from one product to
another. While tests/analysis of some products can be completed
within a few hours, some tests can last several hours, days or even
weeks depending on the type of the product, before the final result is
obtained. For example, the test results of products, such as food items,
matches etc can be obtained in less than 48 hours whilst some
products such as cement, electric bulbs etc may require more than
12weeks to complete testing. Importers of these items may avail SON
with samples, which can be tested in good time.

Note: a sister organization NAFDAC is responsible for the regulation

and control or the use of regulated items in foods, drugs, cosmetics,
water, chemicals and devices.

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12. BENEFITS OF SON PORT INSPECTION AND PRODUCT
REGISTRATION SCHEME

A number of benefits are derived from the SON involvement in product

imports inspection scheme. Some of them include the following:

a. Preventing the sale of substandard products to Nigerians, hence

preventing the Nation from becoming a dumping ground for
substandard products.

b. Improving the quality of life of Nigerians through consumption of

quality products.

c. Protecting Nigerians from consuming health hazard,

unwholesome and poor quality products that could endanger
lives and properties.

d. Increasing the demand for comparative locally made goods that

are of higher standards thereby increasing productivity and
companies revenues.

e. Reducing the unemployment rate in the country through

increased industrial growth arising from increased patronage of
locally made products.

f. Ensuring that Nigerian consumers get value and satisfaction for

money through consumption of quality products.

g. Registration of products being imported by an importer enables

the Government to have a database on importers of different
commodities into the country, fight against faking and ensuring
protection of franchise where applicable, of the importer.

h. Importers whose products are registered with SON may also

enjoy a number of benefits such as non-submission of Guarantee
Bank drafts, faster release process among others, subject to
approval of the DG as each case is treated on its merit.

13. OFF-SHORE CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME

(SONCAP)

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As part of the continuous efforts to protect Nigerian consumers from
unsafe and or substandard products, Standard organization of Nigeria
(SON), has introduced an off-shore conformity assessment programme
(SONCAP) with effect from September 1, 2005. The programme is to
ensure that certain regulated imports comply with the approved technical
and other specifications acceptable in Nigeria.

The SONCAP certificate is a mandatory customs clearance document in

Nigeria and Regulated products arriving without this document will be
subject to delays and possibly denial of entry.

SONCAP is applicable to all regulated products in addition to any other

existing import processes such as pre-shipment inspection.

14. OTHER SERVICES OFFERED BY SON

Services offered by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to Industries,

service organizations, suppliers, Government and Public enterprises
include:

a. Sales of National and foreign standards, NIS directory, technical

journals and SON publications.

b. Database of standards for information.

c. Quality system certification

d. Product certification

e. Qualification training in NIS ISO 9000 and NIS ISO 14000

Standards

f. Laboratory services relating to product testing/analysis

g. Instrument calibration

h. Laboratory accreditation

i. NIS award for certified products

j. Human resources development and training

k. Factory inspection for Product Quality Assurance

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 l. Environmental Quality Management System Certification

m. Import inspection of products

n. Pre-shipment inspection of Exports

o. Consultancy services in Standardization, Quality Assurance.

Testing Imports and Exports trade Support

p. Consumer complaints

15. CONCLUSION

It is pertinent to say that the smooth running of SON Port Operations

will depend largely on the co-operation of the importers, the Customs
Clearing Agents, the Government enforcement agencies at the ports
and the experience of SON technical team.

This information represents another opportunity given to port users to

have adequate knowledge of SON Port Operation/activities with the
aim of fostering cooperation and eliminating complaints and
bottlenecks associated with non-compliance with SON operational
guidelines and procedures.

It is also necessary to point out that by virtue of its enabling Act; SON
has the mandate to examine all goods including processed materials
imported into Nigeria and seal up warehouses where substandard
products are stored. Where it does not do so, it is in recognition of the
existence of other specialized agencies in such areas.

SON is on hand to receive and treat complaints resulting from

sampling or delay in provisional release which might be encountered
by Importers.

Importers and other port users should not hesitate to contact any of
the Port Coordinators at the ports or the SON Operational
Headquarters for assistance.

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It is to be emphasized that a lot of understanding and cooperation with
SON requirements by importers is necessary to facilitate clearance of
goods, reduce demurrage, and rid the Nation of Substandard and poor
quality products.

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