SON and NAFDAC Approval for Imported Goods in Nigeria

You found a supplier, the samples are good and the price works. Then someone in the market says, "Do you have NAFDAC for that?" Another says the electrical goods need SON before they can leave the port. A clearing agent mentions a certificate you have never heard of. You are left wondering whether your product is regulated, which agency decides, and whether you should have asked these questions before sending a deposit.

You should have, and the good news is that you can still ask them now. Nigerian import rules for regulated goods are often the difference between a smooth clearance and a container sitting at the port while costs build up. Buyers who find out early can choose suppliers who can supply the right documents, plan their timeline realistically, and avoid goods that cannot lawfully be sold.

This guide explains SON and NAFDAC approval for imported goods in Nigeria at a stable, well-known level: what each agency generally covers, which kinds of products tend to be affected, what to ask suppliers, how to plan the paperwork and what to do when you are unsure. It does not give fees, timelines or lists of banned items, because these change. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed clearing agent or the agencies themselves.

SON and NAFDAC approval for imported goods: two agencies, two jobs

Nigerian importers most often meet two regulators.

SON, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, deals with standards and conformity for many manufactured and industrial goods. Its work generally covers whether products meet the relevant Nigerian standards and are safe and fit for purpose. Importers of goods such as electrical items, building materials, tyres, household appliances and many others may need to show conformity, often through a pre-shipment or conformity assessment process connected to the goods' country of origin.

NAFDAC, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, regulates food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, chemicals and some related products. Its focus is the safety, quality and proper labelling of products that people eat, drink, apply or use for health. Products in these categories generally need to be registered with the agency before they are sold, and importers may need to meet requirements on manufacturing premises, labelling and documentation.

These are different regimes. A product can fall under one, both or neither, depending on what it is. A cosmetic electric device, for example, could raise questions for both. That is why asking the right person early matters.

Which goods usually raise questions

The list below is a general guide to categories that commonly attract attention, not a legal list. Exact rules depend on the product and on current regulations.

Product category	Agency often involved	Why it matters
Packaged food and drinks	NAFDAC	Registration, labelling, shelf life
Cosmetics, skin and hair products	NAFDAC	Ingredients, claims, labelling
Drugs, supplements, medical consumables	NAFDAC	Strict registration and import controls
Packaged water and beverages	NAFDAC	Registration and quality control
Electrical and electronic goods	SON	Safety and conformity
Building materials, tiles, pipes, cables	SON	Standards and conformity
Tyres and automotive parts	SON	Safety-critical goods
Toys and children's products	SON, and sometimes others	Safety concerns
Used goods and refurbished items	Various	Special restrictions can apply

If your product is not in this table, do not assume it is unregulated. Ask.

Why you should check before you order

Many import problems start with a simple sequence: the buyer pays, the goods ship, and only at the port does anyone ask for the approval. At that point, options are limited. Cargo can be held, returned, or in some cases refused. Storage and demurrage costs can build while you chase documents.

Checking first lets you:

Decide whether the product is realistic for your business at all.
Choose a supplier that can provide the documents or test reports required.
Add the time and cost of approvals to your plan.
Avoid ordering a variation, such as a different formula or label, that would not be accepted.
Negotiate who is responsible for providing documents in the purchase agreement.

A planning checklist before you place an order

Name the product precisely. Not "cosmetics" but "hair relaxer cream, 250 ml, with listed ingredients".
Ask a licensed clearing agent which agencies and approvals apply to that exact product.
Ask the agencies directly if the answer is unclear. Their websites and offices publish current guidance.
Ask the supplier what certificates, test reports, factory registrations and product documents they can provide.
Check labelling rules. Language, ingredient lists, dates, importer details and claims can all matter.
Check whether the factory must be registered or inspected, especially for food, drugs and cosmetics.
Plan the timeline. Approvals and conformity checks take time, so avoid committing to a launch date before you know it.
Put the document duties into the agreement, including what happens if documents are missing.
Order samples and ask whether they need to go through any process.
Keep copies of every certificate, receipt and correspondence.

What to ask your supplier

A serious supplier who exports to Africa will usually be familiar with regulatory questions, though not all will understand Nigerian requirements. Ask:

Does the factory hold relevant certificates or registrations, and can you see copies?
Are there test reports for the product from a recognised laboratory?
Can the labels and packaging be adapted to Nigerian requirements?
Has the supplier shipped this product to Nigeria before? What documents were used?
Will the supplier cooperate with any pre-shipment verification or inspection your agent requires?
Who is responsible if the goods are held because of missing supplier documents?

Be wary of suppliers who say "no problem, we ship everywhere" without being able to name a document. Be equally careful about anyone offering a certificate for sale with no process behind it. A forged or purchased certificate is a serious risk that can lead to seizure and legal consequences.

On Comilmart, suppliers can show certifications on their listings, and the Verified badge indicates a company has passed a document review. Certificates shown there are a starting point for your own checks, not a substitute for them. Depending on what suppliers have listed, you can browse by category and ask each supplier for the documents relevant to your product.

Samples, testing and labelling

Samples help here as well. When you test a sample for quality, also check the label and packaging against what Nigerian rules are likely to expect. For food and cosmetics, ask whether ingredients, production and expiry dates, batch numbers and importer information are present and legible. For electrical goods, ask about plug types, voltage ratings and safety markings suited to Nigerian conditions.

If a label needs changing, discuss it with the supplier before production, not afterwards. Printing new packaging for finished goods costs far more than printing correct packaging at the start.

Private-label products add another layer. If you want your own brand on food or cosmetics, you may be taking on responsibilities as the brand owner or importer. Ask a professional about what that means in practice.

Working with your clearing agent

A good licensed clearing agent in Lagos or at another port is your guide to the practical side. They can tell you which approvals customs expects, which documents to prepare, how the process runs at ports such as Apapa and Tin Can, and what has changed recently. Give them the product description, specification and draft documents early, ideally before you pay the supplier.

Questions to ask:

Which approvals apply to this product, and in what order?
Which documents should the supplier provide, and in what form?
How will the goods be inspected or verified, and where?
What could cause a hold, and how are holds resolved?
What should I put in my agreement with the supplier?

Rules, fees and processes change, and different offices may apply them differently. Confirm current requirements with a licensed clearing agent and the relevant authority, and do not rely on a friend's experience from several years ago.

Common mistakes buyers make

Assuming small quantities are exempt. Small shipments of regulated goods can still need approval.
Relying on the supplier's word. Suppliers rarely carry the risk at the Nigerian port; you do.
Buying products already on the market without checking. A product being sold in a market does not prove it was imported properly.
Mixing regulated and unregulated goods in one mixed container without checking the documents for each line. One problem item can delay the lot.
Ignoring expiry and shelf life. Food and cosmetics arriving with too little shelf life left are hard to sell.
Using unclear descriptions on invoices. Vague wording invites questions.
Forgetting after-sales rules. Claims on labels, advertising and storage can also be regulated.

A worked example in words: SON and NAFDAC Approval for Imported Goods in Nigeria

Imagine you want to bring in a range of shea-based hair creams from a manufacturer you found online. Before paying anything, you describe the exact products to your clearing agent, who says that cosmetics are generally within NAFDAC's remit and explains the kind of registration and labelling to expect. You ask the manufacturer for its factory registration, ingredient lists and test reports, and for label artwork. You find that the label lacks information the agent says you will need, so you ask the supplier to revise it before production. You order a sample set, check it, and agree in writing that the supplier will provide specified documents and bear the cost of reprinting if labels are rejected for reasons within its control. Only then do you plan the first shipment. You treat the weeks spent on approvals as part of the project, not as a delay to it.

What to do first this week: SON and NAFDAC Approval for Imported Goods in Nigeria

List the products you plan to import and note which are food, drug, cosmetic, electrical, building or children's goods.
Call a licensed clearing agent and ask what approvals each needs.
Write a one-page document request to send to every supplier.
Ask for sample labels and certificates before you ask for prices.
Build the approval time and cost into your plan and your price.
Do not pay a deposit until you know whether the goods can lawfully clear.

Frequently asked questions

Do all imported goods need SON or NAFDAC approval?

No. Requirements depend on the product. Food, drugs, cosmetics and similar goods are generally NAFDAC matters, while many manufactured and electrical goods fall under SON. Ask your clearing agent about your exact product.

Can I get approval after the goods arrive?

Do not plan on it. Approvals are usually needed before or as part of clearing, and arriving without them can mean holds, storage costs or refusal. Check before ordering.

Who is responsible for getting the documents, me or the supplier?

Usually both play a part. The supplier provides factory and product documents, while the importer handles the Nigerian side with an agent. Put the split in your written agreement.

Can I import samples without approval?

Rules for samples may differ from commercial shipments, but you should not assume. Ask your agent or the agency before sending samples of regulated goods.

How do I know a certificate is genuine?

Ask for the issuing body and certificate number, check it with the issuer where possible, and be careful with suppliers who cannot explain how they obtained it. A licensed agent can help with verification.

Next step

Ready to source with SON and NAFDAC approval for imported goods in mind from the start? Create a free buyer account, browse suppliers by category, or post a sourcing request that states the certificates and labelling you need. You can also read about buyer protection before placing an order.