Can a phytosanitary certificate be rejected?

Yes, a phytosanitary certificate may be rejected for any of these reasons: 1) if it’s not readable 2) if it contains conflicting information 3) if it contains inconsistent information 4) if it contains prohibited products for instance some fraudulent exporter may include prohibited product after certification. If you smartly pass the exporting country, you’re most likely going not to be lucky at the importing country. Your product will be flagged and rejected by the importing country for violation. This act may put a country on the watchlist of the importing country 5) if the information is incomplete, the phytosanitary certificate will be rejected 6) if issuing agency from the exporting country doesn’t comply with the period of validity or it expired the phytosanitary certificate may be flagged as invalid if it contains deceptive alterations or erasures 7) if it contains wording that is inconsistent with the model. This is very important. The right words and terminology must be used. 8) if copies are not certified by the appropriate agency from the exporting country Going by the above information, a phytosanitary certificate may be flagged as fake if it isn’t issued by the NPPO or it contains unverifiable and misleading information. If this happens, it may put exporting countries on the watch list or be banned for repeated cases.

Who is the Director-General of NAQS?

The agency is headed by Dr. Vincent Isegbe

What should I avoid so that my agric product isn’t rejected?

To ensure that your export reaches its destination, be professional, and avoid prohibited items. There are instances of Nigerian exporters including the bark of trees in their export, avoiding this illicit act. Don’t try to insert prohibited items into already certified products, if you’re caught, it will nullify the entire product. The point is don’t conceal something in a certified product to avoid destroying the quality and certification for the product.

What’s the cost of quarantine service by NAQS?

According to DG of NAQS Dr Vincent Isegbe, the quarantine service charge is between NGN1,500 and NGN5,000. However, it may be more than this. You may spend as much as NGN10,000

How do I obtain Phytosanitary Certificate in Nigeria?

You first have to create an account on the official portal of NAQS by registering via naqsportal.net . Creation of NAQS account is free.

What are the registration requirements?

The requirements are an incorporated company name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), valid e-mail address, NEPC Number, and a service provider

Who is a NAQS service provider?

A service provider is a NAQS-accredited expert who specialises in quarantine activities of agricultural produce. He’s in charge of treating your agricultural commodity to ensure it's pest-free and it meets the standards of the country of destination.

How do I get a service provider?

After setting up and activating your NAQS account, login select from the list of zonal offices as provided above, the name of a service provider covering that zone will pop up, that’s your service provider, get his phone number and contact address. He’ll guide you.

How do I get NAQS registration number?

When you log in and choose the location of your commodity and click “continue” your NAQS registration number will be displayed, this is what your service provider needs to process your application.

How will I know if my Phytosanitary certificate is ready for collection?

You will be contacted via your e-mail address. In case it’s taking longer than expected you can follow up with your service provider, he may collect it for you.

Is it possible to change my service provider?

You can’t unless you’re relocating to another geopolitical zone. For instance, if you change from South-South to South-West, then you can change your service provider. One of the roles of your service provider is to provide the botanical name of the exporting commodity in case you don’t know it.

How To Get NAQS Certificate in Nigeria for Exporting Agriculture Products

March 5, 2023November 25, 2021 by Opeyemi Quadri