Last verified: 26 Jun 2026. Standards, effective dates and certificate scopes change and enforcement dates move — always confirm the current position with the issuing authority or a licensed customs broker before acting. Altonex Global is a B2B trade-expo and supplier-discovery platform; it does not issue certificates, provide compliance services, or act in any of the regulatory processes described — these are obligations of the supplier/exporter and the importer.
Nigeria SONCAP Moves to the National Single Window (27 March 2026)
Effective 27 March 2026, Nigeria's Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) made the National Single Window (NSW) mandatory for all SONCAP and import permit processes. Any exporter shipping regulated goods — including tyres, batteries, auto parts, and lubricating preparations — to Nigeria must now initiate and complete every Product Certificate and SONCAP Certificate application exclusively on the NSW platform at nsw.gov.ng. SON will no longer process these documents through independent channels.
What exactly changed on 27 March 2026 — and does my existing Product Certificate still count?
The operative change is a channel shift, not a certificate redesign. On 27 March 2026, SON published an official announcement confirming that all applications for Product Certificates (PCs), SONCAP Certificates (SCs), and import permits must be initiated and processed exclusively on the NSW platform. The SON portal and IAF-independent submission channels are no longer valid routes for new applications.
What did not change is the underlying certificate structure or validity period. A Product Certificate issued before the migration — still within its validity window (6 months for Route A / PC(U), or 12 months for Routes B and C / PC(R) and PC(L)) — remains valid. However, to use that certificate for Form M processing, Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) generation, or port clearance, the activation must now be completed through the NSW platform rather than through any independent legacy channel. Exporters holding a live PC should confirm the activation procedure directly with their appointed Independent Accredited Firm (IAF) or contact SON to verify the current process before the next shipment.
The launch date itself was confirmed as 27 March 2026 by the NSW Secretariat's own announcement page and by multiple IAF communications. No credible source supports an earlier date of 26 March.
What is SONCAP and which certificates does every regulated consignment require?
SONCAP — the SON Conformity Assessment Programme — is Nigeria's mandatory pre-shipment conformity verification scheme for regulated imported products. It is administered by SON and operated on SON's behalf by a set of SON-appointed Independent Accredited Firms (IAFs). The exporter does not apply to SON directly; they select and contract an IAF, which handles physical inspection, sample testing, and certificate issuance.
Every regulated consignment requires two distinct documents:
The two mandatory SONCAP documents
- Product Certificate (PC) — a product-line document proving conformity to the applicable Nigerian standard. Obtained once per product line (or per shipment under Route A). Its validity depends on the route taken.
- SONCAP Certificate (SC) — a per-consignment document, one SC per shipment. It is mandatory for Nigeria Customs Service clearance and for the PAAR. The SC is not transferable to another consignment.
Nigeria Customs looks for the SONCAP Certificate at the port — it is the SC that gates clearance. The Product Certificate is the upstream prerequisite that authorises an IAF to issue the SC for a given consignment.
What is the difference between Route A, Route B, and Route C — and which route applies to me?
SON structures SONCAP around three certification routes based on exporter frequency and compliance history. Choosing the wrong route wastes time and money; choosing the right one at the outset reduces per-shipment inspection burden over time.
| Route | PC Grade | Who qualifies | Audit / inspection requirement | PC validity | Per-consignment inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route A | PC(U) — Unregistered | Infrequent or first-time exporters; no product registration with SON | Physical inspection and sample testing every shipment | Single shipment; 6 months from issuance | Every shipment |
| Route B | PC(R) — Registered | Frequent exporters with a quality management system in place | Satisfactory factory audit before issuance | 1 year | Standard (per shipment) |
| Route C | PC(L) — Licensed | Manufacturers and producers only (traders and exporters excluded); excellent Route B compliance record or direct production audit | Complete production process audit; ongoing surveillance; two pathways to licensing | 1 year | Reduced — at least one physical inspection every 6 months instead of per consignment |
Route C's reduced inspection frequency is its principal commercial advantage for high-volume manufacturers. However, it requires either completing four compliant Route B transactions with two satisfactory factory audits, or accepting a full production process audit from the outset. Exporters and traders are structurally excluded from Route C regardless of volume.
Is my product actually covered by SONCAP — and how do I confirm the correct 10-digit HS code?
Not every product imported into Nigeria falls under SONCAP. Coverage is defined by the SONCAP sensitive product list maintained by SON. For the lubricants and auto-parts categories that suppliers list on Altonex Global for discovery by Nigerian buyers, the following product categories are confirmed on the list:
Product categories confirmed on the SONCAP sensitive list (verified)
- Tyres (new pneumatic tyres)
- Batteries (automotive and related)
- Auto parts (vehicles, motorcycles, and spare parts as a category)
- Lubricating preparations (as a confirmed category with explicit HS codes on the sensitive list)
Lubricants as a general category are confirmed on the list, but the specific HS code that applies to a given lubricant blend or formulation must be verified per product against Nigeria's Common External Tariff (CET). This matters because, as of March 2025, SON issued a directive requiring all IAFs to apply the full 10-digit HS code before issuing any Product Certificate. The 6-digit codes most exporters use for international trade are no longer sufficient for SONCAP purposes in Nigeria.
To confirm your product's correct 10-digit HS code, use Nigeria's CET published by the Nigeria Customs Service, or work directly with your IAF. Submitting a certificate application with an incorrect or 6-digit code results in rejection or certification delay. If there is any discrepancy, contact your IAF before submitting — not after.
Who actually issues the SONCAP Certificate — SON directly, or a firm I appoint?
SON administers SONCAP as the governing authority but does not carry out physical inspections or issue certificates directly to exporters. The operational work — inspection, sample collection, laboratory testing, and certificate issuance — is performed by SON-appointed Independent Accredited Firms (IAFs). The exporter selects, contacts, and contracts one IAF; that IAF manages the full process on the exporter's behalf.
IAFs are not territory-exclusive: no IAF is assigned to a specific region or country of origin. Any exporter anywhere in the world may engage any of the accredited IAFs. Firms that have operated as SONCAP IAFs include Cotecna, Bureau Veritas, SGS, Intertek, HQTS, CCIC, and CSIC, among others. Verify the current active list of SON-accredited IAFs directly with SON before appointment, as accreditation status can change.
Since 27 March 2026, the IAF continues to generate SONCAP Product and Shipment Certificates but the activation of those certificates for Form M, PAAR, and cargo clearance purposes must be completed on the NSW platform. This is an important operational detail: the IAF issues the document, but the exporter (or the IAF acting on the exporter's behalf) must complete activation via nsw.gov.ng.
How do I register on the NSW platform and start a SONCAP application?
Registration on the NSW platform is a prerequisite. An application cannot proceed without a registered profile. The steps below reflect the process as confirmed by IAF sources as of 26 June 2026; verify the current sequence with your IAF or at nsw.gov.ng before submitting, since the platform was newly launched and operational details may be refined.
NSW registration and application steps (process as of 26 Jun 2026)
- Visit nsw.gov.ng and create a profile. Register as an Importer or Importer/Exporter as applicable to your entity type.
- Log in to your NSW account and navigate to the SON service section for SONCAP or Import Permit applications.
- Select the appropriate Product Certificate route (A, B, or C) and submit the required documentation. The platform routes your submission to SON automatically.
- Work with your appointed IAF to coordinate physical inspection and any required sample testing.
- Once the IAF issues the Product Certificate, complete certificate activation on the NSW platform to enable PAAR generation and Form M processing.
- For each subsequent consignment, initiate the per-shipment SONCAP Certificate (SC) application through the NSW platform in conjunction with your IAF.
Phase 1 of the NSW covers SON, NAFDAC, NAQS, and NESREA services as well as manifest submissions by shipping lines and airlines. Phase 2, expected in Q2–Q3 2026, is anticipated to extend to export processes including NXP and IDEC and to carry out HS code harmonisation across regulatory agencies. Phase 3 is scheduled for Q1 2027. Exporters should monitor the NSW Secretariat's official channel at nsw.ng for phase progression updates.
Suppliers listing products on Altonex Global that are destined for Nigerian buyers can reference the export compliance guide for a broader view of documentation requirements across markets. For product-specific RFQ inquiries, buyers can reach registered suppliers directly through the RFQ Centre.
Key takeaways
- Effective 27 March 2026, all SONCAP Product Certificate and SONCAP Certificate applications must be submitted exclusively via Nigeria's National Single Window at nsw.gov.ng — SON no longer processes them through independent channels.
- Existing Product Certificates issued before the migration date remain valid for their original validity period (6 months for Route A / 12 months for Routes B and C), but certificate activation for Form M, PAAR, and customs clearance must now occur on the NSW platform.
- Every regulated consignment to Nigeria requires two documents: a Product Certificate (product-line, longer validity) and a SONCAP Certificate (per consignment, non-transferable).
- SONCAP certificates are issued by SON-appointed IAFs — not directly by SON. The exporter contracts an IAF; verify the current accredited IAF list with SON before appointment.
- Tyres, batteries, auto parts, and lubricating preparations are confirmed on the SONCAP sensitive product list. Specific HS codes must be verified per product against Nigeria's Common External Tariff.
- The full 10-digit HS code has been mandatory for all SONCAP product certifications since SON's directive of March 2025. Six-digit codes are rejected.
- NSW registration is a prerequisite to any application — no profile, no submission. Register at nsw.gov.ng before initiating any SONCAP process.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly changed on 27 March 2026 for SONCAP, and does my existing Product Certificate still count?
The change is a channel shift: all SONCAP and import permit applications must now be submitted exclusively through Nigeria's National Single Window (NSW) at nsw.gov.ng. SON no longer accepts applications through independent channels. Your existing Product Certificate remains valid for the remainder of its original validity period (6 months for Route A / PC(U), or 12 months for Routes B and C / PC(R) and PC(L)). However, to use it for Form M processing, PAAR generation, or port clearance, the activation must now be completed on the NSW platform. Confirm the current activation procedure with your IAF or SON directly before your next shipment.
Is my lubricant or auto-parts product covered by SONCAP — and how do I find the correct 10-digit HS code?
Lubricating preparations, tyres, batteries, and auto parts (including spare parts) are confirmed categories on the SONCAP sensitive product list. However, the specific HS code that applies to a given formulation or part requires verification per product against Nigeria's Common External Tariff (CET), published by the Nigeria Customs Service. As of March 2025, SON issued a directive requiring the full 10-digit HS code on every Product Certificate — 6-digit codes are no longer accepted. Work with your appointed IAF to confirm the correct code before submitting any application.
Who actually issues the SONCAP Certificate — SON directly, or a third-party firm?
SON administers SONCAP as the governing authority but delegates physical inspection and certificate issuance to SON-appointed Independent Accredited Firms (IAFs). The exporter selects and contracts an IAF — not SON directly. IAFs are not territory-exclusive; any accredited firm may work with exporters from any country. Firms that have operated as SONCAP IAFs include Cotecna, Bureau Veritas, SGS, Intertek, and HQTS, among others. Verify the current active IAF list with SON before appointment, as accreditation status can change.
What is the difference between a Product Certificate and a SONCAP Certificate — which document does Nigeria Customs require at the port?
These are two separate, mandatory documents. The Product Certificate (PC) is a product-line document proving conformity to the relevant Nigerian standard — it has a longer validity (6 months for Route A / PC(U), 1 year for Routes B and C / PC(R) and PC(L)) and covers the product type, not a single shipment. The SONCAP Certificate (SC) is issued per consignment: one SC per shipment, non-transferable. Nigeria Customs requires the SONCAP Certificate at the port for cargo clearance; it is also needed to produce the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). The PC is the upstream prerequisite that authorises an IAF to issue the SC for a given consignment.
What is the difference between Route A, Route B, and Route C under SONCAP?
Route A (PC(U) — Unregistered) is for infrequent or first-time exporters. It requires physical inspection and sample testing for every shipment, and the Product Certificate covers one shipment only (valid 6 months). Route B (PC(R) — Registered) is for frequent exporters with a quality management system; it requires a factory audit and the PC is valid for one year. Route C (PC(L) — Licensed) is restricted to manufacturers and producers only — traders and exporters are excluded — and requires a full production process audit. Its key advantage is reduced inspection frequency: at least one physical inspection every six months instead of per consignment.
How do I register on the NSW platform to start a SONCAP application?
Registration on the NSW platform at nsw.gov.ng is mandatory before any application can be submitted. Create a profile as an Importer or Importer/Exporter, then log in to access the SON service section and submit your Product Certificate or import permit application. The platform routes your submission to SON automatically and allows real-time tracking. Certificate activation — required for Form M, PAAR, and customs clearance — must also be completed via the NSW platform after your IAF issues the document. Verify the current step sequence with your IAF or at nsw.gov.ng, as the platform was newly launched and operational details may evolve.
What are the phases of Nigeria's National Single Window and what comes next?
Phase 1 launched on 27 March 2026 and covers import licence, certificate, and permit submissions for SON, NAFDAC, NAQS, and NESREA, as well as manifest submissions by shipping lines and airlines. Phase 2, expected in Q2–Q3 2026, is anticipated to extend to export processes (NXP and IDEC) and to harmonise HS codes across regulatory agencies. Phase 3 is scheduled for Q1 2027. Monitor the NSW Secretariat's official site at nsw.ng for updates on phase progression and any new requirements that affect exporters.
Sources: Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) — official SONCAP programme documentation and the 27 March 2026 NSW mandatory-migration announcement; Nigeria National Single Window Secretariat — nsw.gov.ng and nsw.ng official launch communications; Nigeria Customs Service — Common External Tariff (CET), HS code classification guidance; SON directive on mandatory 10-digit HS code for SONCAP product certifications (notified March 2025); IAF communications from Cotecna and Bureau Veritas on the NSW transition process. Last reviewed 26 Jun 2026.