Agro Export Compliance — NAQS, NAFDAC & Beyond
Exporting agricultural or food products from Nigeria involves compliance steps beyond the Certificate of Origin. This page covers what agro-processors and food exporters specifically need.
1. The Phytosanitary Certificate (NAQS)
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) is the designated authority certifying that agricultural exports are free from pests and diseases and meet international standards. A Phytosanitary Certificate is mandatory for all plant and plant product exports from Nigeria.
How to get one:
- Register as an exporter (free) at naqsportal.net
- Complete the application form (Agric Form 48) with details of the product and the importing country’s requirements
- Submit required documents: proforma invoice, packing list, and a sample of the product
- NAQS reviews the application, may request inspection and sampling for laboratory analysis
- Certificate is issued and sent to your registered email, or collected in person
2. NAFDAC Registration (for Processed Foods)
If you’re exporting processed agricultural products, packaged garri, palm oil, spices, fruit juices, shea butter, and similar, you need NAFDAC registration in addition to the phytosanitary certificate. NAFDAC also issues Certificates of Analysis for registered products, which may be required as part of your export documentation.
3. Fumigation Certificate (where applicable)
Some commodities require a fumigation certificate to confirm the product has been treated to prevent pest infestation during transit. Check with NAQS whether your specific product requires this.
4. Veterinary Certificate (for animal products)
If your export includes animal or animal-derived products, the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (DVPCS) issues the required International Veterinary Entry Document.
Important: Always check for product-specific export restrictions
Beyond the standard documentation above, some agricultural commodities are subject to their own, separate export restrictions at any given time, independent of AfCFTA eligibility. For example, Nigeria has restricted the export of raw, unprocessed shea nuts (kernels) to encourage local processing into higher-value shea butter, a restriction currently in effect. Cracking and drying shea nuts does not exempt them from this restriction; only genuine processing into butter or oil does.
Before sourcing goods or committing to a buyer, always verify current export status for your specific commodity, with NEPC, NAQS, or Trade Africa directly. Policy on specific commodities can change, and the consequences of exporting a restricted raw commodity (seized goods, legal exposure) are serious. This is exactly the kind of check Trade Africa performs for traders in our community before they proceed.
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