How to Get Export Certification and Documentation for Nigerian Agro Products

If you’re planning to export agro products from Nigeria — whether sesame seeds, cocoa, ginger, or charcoal — one of the first and most critical steps is getting your export certifications and documentation in order. Without proper documentation, your goods may be delayed, rejected, or even confiscated at ports.

This 2025 guide walks you step-by-step through the required certifications, registration processes, and how to simplify export documentation using Comilmart’s export support system.

🧾 1. Register Your Business with CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission)

Visit CAC Nigeria

Before you can export, your business must be legally registered. The CAC Certificate of Incorporation or Business Name Registration serves as proof of your business identity.

✅ Requirements:

• Business name or company registration documents
• Valid ID of business owners
• Business address

Once registered, you can open a corporate bank account to handle export transactions.

🌐 2. Register with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)

Visit NEPC

The NEPC Exporter’s Certificate is the most important document for anyone exporting from Nigeria. It officially licenses your business to export goods legally.

✅ Requirements:

• CAC registration documents
• Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• Application letter
• Processing fee (₦10,000–₦15,000)

📜 How to Apply:

1. Visit the NEPC website (https://nepc.gov.ng/)
2. Complete the online exporter registration form
3. Upload necessary documents and pay the fee
4. Receive your Exporter’s Certificate (valid for two years)

🏷️ 3. Obtain Product Certification from SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria)

Visit SON

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) ensures that all export products meet national and international standards. This applies to food products, processed goods, packaging, and labeling.

✅ Common Certifications:

• SONCAP (Standards Organisation Conformity Assessment Programme)
• MANCAP (Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme)

📦 Why It’s Important:

SON certification helps your product pass destination country inspections and increases buyer confidence.

💊 4. Get NAFDAC Certification (For Food, Spices, and Edible Goods)

Visit NAFDAC

If you are exporting consumable agro products like honey, ginger powder, dried pepper, or shea butter, you must obtain a NAFDAC Product Registration Certificate.

✅ Required Documents:

• NEPC Exporter Certificate
• Product samples for testing
• Production and hygiene documentation
• Label artwork and nutritional details

📦 Why It Matters:

NAFDAC ensures that your products meet health and safety standards — a critical requirement for exports to the EU, USA, and the Middle East.

🧰 5. Secure Phytosanitary Certificate (For Raw Agro Products)

Issued by: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)
Visit FMARD

The Phytosanitary Certificate confirms that your agro products (e.g., ginger, sesame seeds, or cashew nuts) are free from pests and diseases.

✅ Required Steps:

1. Submit a request at the Plant Quarantine Office or FMARD branch
2. Provide product samples for inspection
3. Pay inspection fees
4. Receive the certificate

🌾 Why It’s Needed:

Importing countries require this certificate to protect their local agriculture from contamination or disease spread.

🚢 6. Obtain Export Proceeds Form (NXP Form)

Issued by: Authorized Commercial Banks in Nigeria

The NXP Form is mandatory for all exporters. It allows the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to monitor and regulate foreign exchange transactions from exports.

✅ Required Documents:

• NEPC Exporter Certificate
• Commercial invoice
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Packing list

📦 Application Process:

You can obtain and fill out the NXP Form electronically through your bank’s trade department or via the Nigeria Single Window Trade Portal — https://trade.gov.ng/

📦 7. Get Certificate of Origin

Issued by: Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)

This certificate proves that your goods originated from Nigeria. It’s required by most countries for import clearance.

✅ Requirements:

• NEPC Certificate
• Export invoice
• Packing list
• Company registration documents

🌍 Application:

Visit your nearest Chamber of Commerce office to apply and get it within a few days.

💰 8. Secure Insurance and Inspection Certificates

These certificates protect both you (the exporter) and the buyer in case of loss, damage, or shipment delays.

✅ Key Providers:

• Niger Insurance
• Leadway Assurance
• Comilmart Export Insurance Partners

Insurance coverage boosts buyer confidence, especially for first-time international clients.

📦 9. Obtain Bill of Lading / Air Waybill

This is your proof of shipment, issued by the shipping or logistics company. It confirms the transport of goods by sea (Bill of Lading) or by air (Air Waybill).

✅ Partner Logistics:

• DHL Nigeria
• Maersk Nigeria
• GIG Logistics
• Comilmart Export Logistics

🌍 10. Register on Comilmart Export Marketplace

Join Comilmart Export Hub

Once your documentation is ready, you can create a vendor account on Comilmart to connect directly with verified international buyers.

✅ Benefits of Using Comilmart for Export:

• Verified global buyers (from the US, Europe, and Asia)
• Integrated export logistics support
• Access to certified product listing templates
• Payment protection and trade security

Comilmart simplifies export trading by providing a trusted digital platform where Nigerian exporters can showcase certified products and negotiate safely.

🧭 Summary of Required Export Documents in Nigeria (2025):

💡 Pro Tips for Export Success in 2025:

1. Always verify your buyers using trusted trade platforms like Comilmart or Alibaba.
2. Keep digital copies of all export documents for easier access and compliance.
3. Ensure your product labeling meets international packaging standards.
4. Partner with NEPC and NACCIMA for regular export seminars and trade fairs.
5. Use Comilmart’s integrated export dashboard to track certifications, logistics, and buyer communication in one place.

🌐 Conclusion

Exporting agricultural products from Nigeria can be highly profitable — but only if you comply with certification and documentation requirements. With proper registration through NEPC, SON, NAFDAC, and FMARD, your products will gain international credibility and smooth entry into foreign markets.

Platforms like Comilmart make it even easier by connecting verified exporters to global buyers while offering logistics, insurance, and trade support.

Make 2025 the year your Nigerian agro business goes global — start today on Comilmart.com.

🔗 Useful Links:

• Comilmart
• NEPC
• SON
• NAFDAC
• FMARD
• CAC
• DHL Nigeria
• Maersk Nigeria
• GIG Logistics
• Niger Insurance
• Leadway Assurance
• Alibaba