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NIGERIA TRADE REGULATORY UPDATE: NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW PLATFORM LAUNCH AND IMPORT RESTRICTIONS

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By Seun Timi-Koleolu and Omodele Fatodu

Introduction

Nigeria’s trade regulatory landscape has recently seen developments aimed at improving trade administration and strengthening import controls. In particular, the Federal Government has announced the launch of the National Single Window Platform (the “Platform”), a digital system designed to streamline import and export processes, while also announcing a ban on items prohibited from importation into Nigeria in 2026.

These developments form part of broader government efforts to modernise Nigeria’s trade infrastructure, enhance border control mechanisms, and promote local production.

1. National Single Window Platform

The Federal Government is set to launch the Platform on 27 March 2026 as a centralised electronic portal for the processing of trade-related documentation. The Platform is intended to allow importers and exporters to submit trade information through a single interface, which will then be automatically shared with the relevant government agencies for processing.

Nigeria has previously explored the introduction of a national single window system as part of broader trade facilitation reforms, with earlier initiatives dating back to the late 2000s. However, those efforts did not result in a fully integrated system. While aspects of Nigeria’s trade administration have been digitised through platforms such as the Nigeria Trade Portal, which provides information on import and export procedures and serves as an access point to certain trade related processes, regulatory approvals and trade documentation have historically been administered across multiple agency systems. For example, importers typically process a Form M (a mandatory import declaration form) through an authorised dealer bank, submit cargo documentation to the Nigeria Customs Service (“NCS”), and obtain product specific approvals or certifications from regulators such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (“SON”) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (“NAFDAC”).

The Platform is intended to address this fragmentation by enabling traders to submit trade data through a single electronic interface which can then be shared automatically among participating government agencies. It is expected to integrate several regulatory bodies within Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, including the NCS, SON, and NAFDAC. Through the Platform, traders will be able to submit documentation once, rather than interacting separately with multiple agencies. This approach is expected to reduce duplication of documentation requirements and facilitate greater coordination among regulatory authorities responsible for customs clearance, permits, and trade approvals.

Implementation of the Platform is expected to occur in phases. The initial rollout will focus on the online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests, and a centralised risk management system. Subsequent phases are expected to incorporate additional trade processes, including export documentation and full system integration.

2. Federal Government Import Prohibition List

The Federal Government has also recently released a list of goods prohibited from being imported into Nigeria. The 2026 import prohibition list (the “Prohibition List”) covers a range of items across agricultural products, household goods, and manufactured items. By restricting the importation of certain products, the government aims to support domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported consumer goods in specific sectors.

It is important to distinguish the Prohibition List from the foreign exchange restrictions previously imposed on certain imported goods which was lifted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”) in October 2023. The Prohibition List imposes a ban on certain items into Nigeria while the former foreign exchange restrictions barred access to official foreign exchange for the importation of specified items.

Examples of items included in the Prohibition List include:

i. Frozen poultry products

ii. Used motor vehicles older than twelve years from the year of manufacture

iii. Spaghetti and noodles

iv. Fruit juice in retail packs

v. Bagged cement

vi.Certain pharmaceutical products such as paracetamol, chloroquine, and metronidazole

Importation of goods that fall within the prohibited categories is not permitted and can result in enforcement actions by customs authorities, including the immediate seizure and destruction of goods, legal action, and the imposition of applicable penalties.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s ongoing trade policy reforms reflect an effort to balance trade facilitation with regulatory oversight. The upcoming launch of the National Single Window Platform represents an important step toward modernising Nigeria’s trade administration through the digital integration of regulatory agencies.

For importers, exporters, and logistics operators, the Platform may improve the efficiency of documentation processes and potentially reduce administrative delays associated with multi-agency approvals. Over time, the system could contribute to more streamlined customs clearance procedures and improved transparency in trade administration.

At the same time, the updated import prohibition list serves as a mechanism for regulating imports and supporting domestic economic policy objectives. Businesses involved in international trade and distribution activities should ensure that internal compliance processes include verification of import eligibility under Nigerian customs regulations.

SONCAP CERTIFICATE; A REQUIREMENT FOR IMPORTATION OF GOODS INTO NIGERIA

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By Aderonke Alex-Adedipe and Eustace Aroh

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1. Introduction
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) was established by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria Act (No 56) of 1971 with the mandate to set the Standards for manufacturing and sale of products, materials, processes and services amongst others; to certify and provide assistance in the production of quality of goods and services; and improve measurement accuracies and circulation of information relating to standards.

The SON in 2005, introduced the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (the “Program”) to address the problem of substandard and unsafe products imported into the country. Under the Program, certain imported products[1], are required to be inspected to conform with essential requirements, technical regulations and approved industrial standards before importation into Nigeria.

For convenience and efficiency, the SON accredited some independent firms such as Cotecna, Intertek, SGS, CCIC etc (“Accredited Firms”) to process and issue SONCAP Certificate on behalf of the SON[2].

In this article, we summarise the procedure and steps to obtaining a SONCAP Certificate below.

2. What are the steps to obtaining a SONCAP Certificate?
A Product Certificate (“PC”) is a mandatory requirement for products regulated by the SON. The PC is also a pre-requisite for the issuance of a SONCAP Certificate for imported products. There are three (3) categories of PCs and an importer may make an application based on frequency as described in the table below.
PC type Preference Validity Period

PC type Preference Validity Period
1 Product Certificate one Preferred for one-time importers 6 months
2 Product Certificate two Preferred for occasional importers 1 year
3 Product Certificate three Preferred for frequent importers 1 year

 

3. How should an application for a PC be made?
An application for a PC should be accompanied by the following documents[3];

i. an application form;
ii. an ISO 9001 Certificate of the manufacturer;
iii. a test report of the product from an accredited ISO17025 laboratory[4];

iv. a quality declaration from the manufacturer;
v. a picture of the product or a sample of the product (where the Accredited Firm requests);
vi. all other quality documents available; and
vii. Factory Inspection/Audit (applicable only for PC 3).

4. How long does it take to process a PC?
Provided that all the required information and documentation are satisfactory, the PC will generally applicable issued between three to seven (3-7) days depending on the Accredited Firm.

5. What is the next step after obtaining the PC?
The next step is to obtain an e-Form M[5] required for the clearing of products at the Nigerian port. The PC is used to process the e-Form M on the Nigerian Single window for trade portal or through an authorised dealer (usually a commercial bank). Upon approval by an authorised dealer and registration by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the importer may then proceed to apply for a SONCAP Certificate.
Upon successfully obtaining the e- Form M, the importer may apply for a SONCAP Certificate through one of the Accredited Firms. The SONCAP Certificate is linked to the PC obtained for the product and a particular shipment may or may not be subject to inspection based on the category of the PC obtained as described in the table below.

PC Type Inspection Rate
Product Certificate one 100% inspection rate
Product Certificate two 40% inspection rate
Product Certificate three 20% inspection rate

6. How should an application for SONCAP be made?
To process a SONCAP Certificate, a company will be required to provide the following:

i. SONCAP application/ request for certificate form
ii. A Valid PC for each product;
iii. Tax Identification Number;
iv. Pro forma Invoice; and
v. E-Form M.

7. Conclusion
A SONCAP Certificate is a condition precedent required for the clearance of products at the Nigerian port[1]. This has played a pivotal role in reducing the importation and sale of substandard products in the country. The Program has proven to be a step in the right direction in ensuring the availability of quality products in Nigeria.

 

[1] https://son.gov.ng/soncap_service

[2] These Accredited Firms have offices in several countries across the world.

[3] In some cases, Accredited Firms may request additional information/documentation in respect of certain products.

[4] Where the importer is unable to produce a satisfactory test report, the Accredited Firm shall test the product based on SON standards.

[5] This is used by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to track and collect import duties.

[6] It is pertinent to note that some products are exempt from the Program pursuant to a SON Circular with reference number SON/SONCAP/EX/Vol. 1/005. These products which include, food, medicine and medical products, chemical products etc, are nonetheless subject to other regulatory requirements.