Imports: SON gives importers 3 months to get genuine certificates

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has given a three month grace period between September to November 30, 2015 for all importers bringing in goods into Nigeria to obtain genuine SON certificates for all their imports or risk prosecution by the agency.

Speaking to maritime journalists recently, Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, SON, Engr. Bede Obayi stated that the agency has four foreign partners who test goods destined for Nigerian ports abroad and issue valid SON certificates on behalf of the agency.

According to him, “We have four partners overseas carrying out test on goods destined for Nigerian ports. They are MPS, Cotecna, Inter-tech, and CCIC of China. This are proven organisations that have been tested and found worthy to issue SON certificates on goods overseas.

“Therefore, all importers must obtain genuine SON certificates for their imports and we have given a three month grace for that. If the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) that SON has fully integrated into continues to work as planned, then it means that every goods that must come into this country must pass the standards set by SON.

“Prior to this period, people who prefer to bring in sub-standard goods into the country were forging SONCAP certificates, however, with the NCIS integration, no more forging of SON’s certificates by dubious or unscrupulous importers.”

Culled from: vanguardngr.com