Understanding SONCAP Certification: What It Is and Which Products Need It

SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme) is one of the most commonly misunderstood requirements in UK-to-Nigeria shipping. Many senders don’t know it exists until their goods are held at Apapa port waiting for paperwork that wasn’t arranged before the shipment left the UK.

This guide explains what SONCAP is, which products require it, how to get it, and what happens if you don’t.

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What Is SONCAP?

SONCAP is a conformity assessment programme run by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). It was introduced to ensure that certain product categories — primarily electrical and mechanical goods — meet Nigerian safety and quality standards before entering the country.

The programme requires that regulated products are inspected or tested by a SON-approved Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) in the country of export. For UK exporters, this means using a SON-accredited inspection body based in the UK before your goods ship.

The result of this process is a Product Certificate (PC) and a SONCAP Certificate. Without these, regulated goods cannot clear Nigerian customs.

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Why Nigeria Introduced SONCAP

The programme exists to prevent substandard and counterfeit goods from entering the Nigerian market. Before SONCAP, Nigeria experienced significant problems with electrical goods that didn’t meet safety standards — substandard cables that were fire risks, undersized generators, counterfeit electrical components.

SONCAP is Nigeria’s quality gate for regulated products. From the UK government’s perspective, it’s a legal export compliance requirement for affected goods.

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Which Products Require SONCAP?

SON maintains the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) list of regulated products. The following categories are commonly subject to SONCAP requirements:

Electrical and Electronic Equipment

• Televisions and monitors
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Air conditioning units
• Washing machines and dryers
• Microwave ovens
• Electric fans
• Water pumps (electric)
• Transformers and voltage stabilisers
• UPS systems and inverters
• Generators (petrol, diesel, and gas-powered)
• Electric motors

Cables and Wiring

• Electrical cables and wires (all types and gauges)
• Extension cables and power strips
• Plugs, sockets, and adapters

Other Regulated Categories

• Tyres (vehicle tyres)
• Bicycles
• Motorcycle helmets
• Certain chemical products (lubricants, paints)
• Steel and iron products
• Footwear (in some sub-categories)

What Does NOT Typically Require SONCAP

• Personal laptop and smartphone (personal use quantities)
• Clothing and textiles
• Food and grocery items
• Documents
• Furniture
• Books and stationery

If you’re unsure whether a specific product you’re sending requires SONCAP, contact us — we can advise based on the product type and quantity.

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How to Get SONCAP Certification

Step 1: Identify the Product’s NIS Standard

Each regulated product falls under a specific Nigerian Industrial Standard. The inspection will be conducted against this standard.

Step 2: Choose a SON-Accredited UK CAB

SON accredits Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in the UK to conduct SONCAP inspections. Approved UK CABs include specialist testing and certification organisations — search the SON website for the current list of accredited bodies, as this changes periodically.

Step 3: Submit Product for Testing or Inspection

Depending on the product type and whether it has already been tested against recognised international standards (IEC, EN, BS), the process can involve:

• Document review: If the product already has CE marking or equivalent international certification, the CAB may accept existing test reports and certificates
• Physical testing: For products without prior certification, laboratory testing against the NIS standard is required

Step 4: Receive Product Certificate and SONCAP Certificate

Once approved, the CAB issues a Product Certificate (PC) for the specific product and a SONCAP Certificate that accompanies the shipment. Both documents must be presented at Nigerian customs for clearance.

Cost and Timeline

Costs vary depending on the product, quantity, and whether existing test reports are acceptable. As a rough guide:

Scenario	Approximate Cost	Timeline
Document review only (existing CE/IEC certification)	£150–£400 per product category	1–2 weeks
Physical testing required	£400–£1,500+ per product	3–6 weeks
Batch or commercial quantity shipment	Higher — get specific quote	Varies

For personal use quantities of a single item (e.g., one generator, one TV), costs are typically at the lower end. For commercial shipments of multiple units, costs scale accordingly.

Plan well ahead. SONCAP cannot be obtained after the goods have already shipped. Start the process 4–8 weeks before your intended departure date.

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What Happens at Apapa Without SONCAP?

If regulated goods arrive at Apapa port without the required SONCAP documentation:

1. Goods are held — they cannot be released until the documentation issue is resolved
2. Storage fees accumulate — every day your goods sit in the port terminal costs money in storage and demurrage fees
3. Resolution is complex — arranging post-shipment certification is difficult, expensive, and often not possible for all product types
4. Goods may be seized — if the discrepancy suggests deliberate non-compliance, goods can be seized

In practice, clearance agents deal with SONCAP issues regularly, but resolution always takes time and costs money. The only clean solution is to get SONCAP arranged before the goods leave the UK.

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Precebol’s Advice for Clients Shipping Regulated Goods

When you book a shipment that includes SONCAP-regulated products, we will:

1. Flag the requirement at the time of booking — we’ll tell you which items need SONCAP
2. Point you to approved UK CABs who can manage the process
3. Wait for SONCAP documentation to be confirmed before dispatching the shipment — we will not send regulated goods without it
4. Include the SONCAP documentation in the shipment’s customs pack

We’ve seen too many shipments held at Apapa for missing SONCAP. It’s avoidable with the right preparation.

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Questions About Your Specific Products?

If you’re sending electrical goods, appliances, or cables from the UK to Nigeria and you’re not sure whether SONCAP applies, call us before you buy or pack anything.

Reach us on (+44) 7946 272819 or via precebollogistics.co.uk. A five-minute conversation before you ship can save weeks of delay at Apapa port.