How To Process And Obtain a Form M Document

Acquiring an E-Form M is a mandatory step in the Nigerian importation process according to the SON Conformity Assessment Programme. Please see the procedure below to learn how to obtain an E-Form M for your shipment.

1. Submit your E-Form M application online to an Authorized Dealer Bank (Wema and GT banks are examples and others) along with the following attached documents:

Proforma invoice

Locally sourced Insurance Certificate

Regulatory Certificates/Permits. Depending on your product this may be a Product Certificate* (for all products regulated by Standards Organization of Nigeria – SON) or a National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Certificate (for food and drugs).

2. The completed Form M is submitted to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for approval.

3. Upon receipt of the Form M with the necessary attached pre-import documents as detailed above the NCS will review the application and either accept or reject it within one working day.

If “accepted” the NCS will register the e-Form M in the Single Window Trade system.

If “rejected” the NCS will state the reasons for rejection and the documents will be automatically returned for rectification.

4. Once the E-Form M has been accepted by the NCS, the importer will inform his exporter to begin shipment preparation for products regulated by SON. This includes inspection, testing, and certification in order to get a SONCAP Certificate (SC) required for the Customs clearance of goods at any Nigerian Port.

5. After the SONCAP Certificate is issued (where applicable), the goods can be shipped to Nigeria to be cleared with the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) after activation of the SONCAP Certificate on the Trade Portal.

Africa Trade and Strategy Consulting Limited can help you with the process. Please contact us for further inquiries via phone or you can shoot us an email at info@jolownigeria.com

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