Many shipments get stuck at Nigerian ports for one simple reason: the importer did not know the product needed a permit until the goods had already arrived. By then, demurrage is running and fixing the problem takes time.

The good news is that you can find this out before you place your order. This guide explains how to check whether your product is regulated, which agency covers it, and when to apply.

Start with what you are importing

Before thinking about permits, get two things clear:

  • An accurate product description. What is it made of, what does it do, and who uses it?
  • The correct HS code. Your HS code drives your duty and helps show which rules apply. If you are unsure, read our guide to HS codes.

Then ask: is this product allowed into Nigeria at all? The Nigeria Customs Service publishes an import prohibition list on its website. Always check the current version before you buy, because the list is revised from time to time.

SONCAP: for most manufactured goods

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) runs the SONCAP programme. It is a pre-shipment check that your goods meet the applicable Nigerian Industrial Standards or approved equivalents before they leave the exporting country. It typically covers a wide range of manufactured products, such as electrical items, building materials, auto parts and household goods.

Under SONCAP you need two certificates:

  1. Product Certificate (PC), needed to open your Form M. A PC1 (unregistered status) is valid for one shipment only, while a PC2 (registered) or PC3 (licensed) is valid for one year.
  2. SONCAP Certificate (SC), issued for each shipment and needed for customs clearance.

Testing and verification are done in the exporting country through SON’s accredited firms (IAFs). If the goods fail, a Non-Conformity Report is issued instead.

Tip: if you import the same product repeatedly, ask about a PC2 or PC3 so you are not starting from scratch every time.

NAFDAC: food, drugs, cosmetics and chemicals

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulates food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and similar products. For these, there are usually two steps:

  • Product registration. The product must be registered with NAFDAC before it can be imported, sold or distributed in Nigeria.
  • Import permit or clearance approval for each consignment, issued after NAFDAC reviews your application and documents.

Registration can take much longer than a single shipment, so it should be part of your planning, not an afterthought. For imported food, NAFDAC’s guidelines require the importer to be the registered product holder or authorised by them.

Other permits to check

Depending on your product, other agencies may be involved:

  • Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS): plants, seeds, animals and agricultural products.
  • National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA): goods with environmental controls.
  • Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC): the NCC says type approval is required before importing equipment with communication capabilities that can connect to a network in Nigeria, such as phones, routers and many smart devices. A SONCAP certificate cannot be used in its place.
  • End-user or specialist permits for sensitive items, which may come from other government bodies.

If you are not sure, ask before you buy. A quick check costs nothing compared to cargo stuck at the port.

Where the National Single Window fits

Since 27 March 2026, applications for licences, certificates and permits from SON, NAFDAC, NAQS and NESREA go through the National Single Window (NSW). SON says its import permits and SONCAP processes must now be started and processed on the NSW. Its accredited firms still issue SONCAP certificates on the SON portal, but those certificates must be activated on the NSW before they can be used for Form M, PAAR and clearance.

The early months were bumpy. In May 2026, NSW management said its help desk had logged about 9,800 issues linked to SON and NAFDAC permits since launch, and that 99% had been resolved. The lesson for importers: apply early and leave room for queries.

We cover how the NSW works alongside Customs’ B’Odogwu system in our B’Odogwu and National Single Window guide.

The right order of steps

  1. Identify the product and HS code.
  2. Check whether it is prohibited or regulated, and by which agency.
  3. Register or apply for the product approval (SONCAP PC, NAFDAC registration, NCC type approval) before you place a large order.
  4. Open your Form M with the right certificates.
  5. Arrange shipment-level approvals, such as the SONCAP Certificate or NAFDAC permit, before the goods arrive.
  6. Ship, making sure your invoice, packing list and permits all describe the goods the same way.

For a checklist of the other documents you need, see 10 essential documents for importing into Nigeria.

Get it right before you buy

Permits are much easier to sort out before your supplier ships than after your cargo lands. Septmax Logistics helps importers check regulatory requirements, prepare permit applications and clear goods from China to Nigeria. If you are not sure whether your product is regulated, contact our team before you place your order.