Nigeria - Import Goods

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for importing goods in person, the applicant has to first open a corporate bank account by choosing any reputable bank in Nigeria to act as the Authorised Dealer Bank (ADB).
2. Then, he/she must obtain a registration in the Nigeria Single Window Trade Portal with the help of his/her Tax Identification Number and Email address.
3. Firstly, the person who wants to obtain a registration must contact/visit the Federal Inland Revenue Services office where he/she obtained the TIN and provide one valid email and mobile number, together with other company's identification details as per FIRS requirement.
4. If you have completed the above step, you can visit the following link and make your registration: apply online. You will have to just enter TIN number, Email ID, text image in the respective fields and click “Validate” button.
5. Follow the instructions and complete the registration, then the importer must be proceeding to apply for and obtain the required permits with respect to the product of import.
6. Then, the applicant must visit the following link in order to activate the Product Certificate which is essential for the process of assessment during the import: apply online
7. Visit the link, click on “click here to activate Product Certificate” hyperlink and enter your TIN in the field provided and click “Validate” button. Then the Certificate activation portal will open and you will have to enter your Product certificate number in order to activate it.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the certificate activation after which you will have complete an online E form M on the Nigeria Single Window Trade Portal. Click on the following link for the portal: apply online
9. Once the page is opened, enter the login credentials and click on “Login” button. After logging in, click on the “Agencies” menu on the top and select “CBN” option from the list.
10. In the next page, you can find the CBN Services on the left side in which you have to click “Form (A, M, NCX, NXP)” drop-down menu and select “Fill Form M” option.
11. The online application form will open; complete the form by entering all the details asked as applicable. You will also have to upload some of the required documents which you can find in the next section of this page.
12. After submission of the application and required documents, it will be reviewed, validated and forwarded to the Nigeria Customs Service which will either accept or reject the Form M based on its sufficiency.
13. Upon approval of the form, it should be sent to his/her exporter as a reference for necessary examination.
14. Further, the applicant needs it activate a Certificate of Conformity (SONCAP) by visiting the following link: apply online. Visit the link, click on “click here to activate SONCAP Certificate” hyperlink and enter your TIN in the field provided and click “Validate” button.
15. Then the Certificate activation portal will open and you will have to enter your SONCAP certificate number in order to activate it. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the certificate activation.
16. As a next step, the applicant has to apply for a Pre-Assessment Arrival Report (PAAR) (if applicable. Visit the following link: apply online and click “PAAR Consignment” menu, select “Fill Consignment” option.
17. In the next page, enter the login credentials and click on “Login” button. After logging in, your application page will open which you have to complete with all the required details and submit it by clicking the applicable button.
18. Once the PAAR has been issued, the importer should visit the Customs and proceed with the import products clearance.
19. On behalf of the shipping companies, the importer should submit the import manifest wherever necessary.
20. Also, the importer will be directed by the authorities to pay the necessary fees payable. If all the documents are submitted as per the requirement of the customs and other required processes are completed as applicable, the customs department will approve the import and proceed with the necessary internal processes which must be completed.
21. After completion of all the processes, you will be allowed for collecting your goods at the delivery point.

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Required Documents

• Company’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Registration document
• Taxpayer Registration proof/Document containing Tax Identification Number
• Proof of bank account from Authorised Dealer Bank (ADB)
• Print out copy of E-form M (if required)
  • User Registration on Nigeria Single Window Portal
  • Identification Number
  • Importer registration in FIRS
  • Pro forma Invoice
  • Insurance proof
  • Certificate of Conformity/SONCAP
  • Product Certificate
  • Regulatory permits from NAFDAC, DPR, etc.,
  • Certificate of Incorporation/ Company Registration
• Certificate of Conformity/SONCAP
• Product Certificate
• Regulatory permits from NAFDAC, DPR, etc.,
• PAAR Consignment
• Import Manifest
• Relevant bills and receipts

Office Locations & Contacts

Nigeria Customs Service - Head Office,
Abidjan Street, Wuse,
P.M.B. 26,
Zone 3,
Abuja – FCT.
Tel: 09 4621597, 4621598, 4621599
Mobile: 07037891156
Fax: 09 5234694
Email: [email protected]
Website Nigeria Customs Service Zonal Headquarters Contacts

Eligibility

• Any organisation inside Nigeria, that wishes to involve in import business with other countries, can apply.
• The organisation must have registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
• The organisation must possess an Incorporation Certificate.
• The applying entity must have properly registered with the Federal Inland Revenue Services of Nigeria and possess a Tax Identification Number.

Fees

• The costs for the process can be obtained from each department.
  

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Generally, the importer should start with registering his/her company with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria.
• The company must have an account in any Authorised Dealer Bank of Nigeria which will be required for the processing of E-form M and Pre Arrival Assessment Report.
• The importer should be aware that an import permit for the products to be imported is necessary with respect to the kind of products. It may be an NAFDAC permit or a DPR permit or any regulatory permit.
• The importer should make sure that the documents of importation are required to contain the name of the product, country of origin, specifications, date of manufacture, batch number, and standard to which the goods have been produced.
• The Product certificates and Conformity certificates can be activated or any relevant information regarding obtaining the certificates can be found in the following link: apply online
• The applicant has to register as an importer in the above link and proceed to utilize the services offered.

Required Information

• Name and address of the Importer
• Tax Identification Number
• Company Registration Certificate number
• Particulars of bank account
• Product and Conformity certificate number
• Name of the import product
• Country of origin and specifications
• Date of manufacture
• Batch number
• Quantity and Costs
• Particulars of the shipment

Need for the Document

• Any Nigerian organisation must follow the above explained procedure in case if it wishes to perform business of import from other countries.
  

Information which might help

• It should be stated that the Authorized Dealer bank is expected to carry out proper Know – Your – Customer (K-Y-C) and be satisfied that all the relevant documents forwarded are genuine.
• Smuggling is against the law. It also has potential evil on the economy of our great country – Nigeria. The stoppage of smuggling activity is for the benefit of everyone; it should also be a collective effort.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

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Others

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