If you’re exporting goods from Nigeria, one document you may be required to provide is a Certificate of Origin, or COO for short. The Certificate of Origin confirms where a product was produced, manufactured or substantially transformed. It helps customs authorities in the importing country to decide how the goods should be treated and whether they qualify for reduced or zero import duties under a trade agreement.
It is important to make a distinction from the outset. This article is about the Certificate of Origin for exporting goods. It’s not the State or Local Government Certificate of Origin that Nigerians can use for school admission, government employment or other personal identification purposes.
For exporters, the type of Certificate of Origin you need will depend mostly on where you are sending your goods and whether you are claiming any preferential tariff treatment.
Why is Certificate of Origin important?
Customs officials want to know the real origin of goods imported. For example, if a product is exported from Lagos, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product is a Nigerian product just because it was shipped from Nigeria. If the product is imported from another country and only re-packaged in Nigeria, it can still be considered foreign in origin.
A Certificate of Origin is a formal proof that the goods originated from a particular country.
It may be required for routine customs clearance but is especially important when an exporter wishes to benefit from schemes such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) or the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In Nigeria the competent authorities include bodies such as NACCIMA for export to ECOWAS countries and beyond while Nigeria Customs Service is responsible for the issuance certificate of origin under the AfCFTA.
What Certificate of Origin do you need?
There is more than one type of Certificate of Origin. General or non-preference Certificate of Origin. This is normally used when you are just trying to prove that the goods are from Nigeria, no claim of special tariff concession.
The general Certificate of Origin is issued through the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and its affiliated Chambers.
Certificate of Origin ECOWAS /ETLS
If you are exporting qualifying goods from Nigeria to another ECOWAS country and want the importer to benefit from ETLS preferential treatment you will need the appropriate origin documentation.
The product must be produced in Nigeria and not just shipped from Nigeria and must meet the relevant ETLS Rules of Origin.
A key development in recent times is the discontinuation of the use of paper ECOWAS/UEMOA Certificates of Origin through NACCIMA. 1 October 2025 is the date from which NACCIMA moved to electronic Certificates of Origin via its e-Certify system as stated in the information provided.
Certificate of Origin under the AfCFTA
The relevant AfCFTA Certificate of Origin is issued by the Nigeria Customs Service for the export of qualifying products to other AfCFTA State Parties.
The product must meet the relevant AfCFTA Rules of Origin; This could be either that it is wholly obtained in an African country or that it undergoes a substantial-transformation requirement through value addition, change in tariff classification or a specified production process. Knowing under which scheme your shipment falls before applying will save time and reduce problems with documentation.
What do you need to do before you apply?
Your export business should already be properly set up for Certificates of Origin related to exports in most cases. This typically means you must have a registered business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and you are registered as an exporter with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). You must also have the key commercial paperwork for the shipment.
These may include, depending on the transaction:
- CAC Certificate of Incorporation;
- Certificate of NEPC Exporters;
- Commercial Invoice;
- Packing List
- Air Waybill or Bill of Lading;
- Nigeria Export Proceeds Form (NXP);
- product specifications;
- manufacturing or production records; and
- Relevant product certificates from bodies such as NAQS, NAFDAC or SON.
The exact specifications may vary based on the product and the type of Certificate of Origin you are applying for.
How to obtain a general Certificate of Origin via NACCIMA
NACCIMA has now introduced a digital application process for a general Certificate of Origin. It’s a simple process, really.
Create a business account on the NACCIMA e-Certify platform
Once your account is live, fill out the Certificate of Origin application and upload the necessary documents.
Typical documents will include your CAC Certificate, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, transport document, NEPC Certificate and information supporting the Nigerian origin of the goods. Pay the applicable fee when submitting the application.
The application is examined and, if everything is in order, a digitally signed Certificate of Origin is issued. The electronic system also enables applicants to track the status of their application.
The processing can be relatively fast when all documents are in order. However, the exact time and fee will depend on the type of certificate, chamber and circumstances of application.
What if you want the ETLS benefits?
Getting an ETLS Certificate of Origin is more than just filling out a Certificate of Origin form.
The business and product will need to go through the ETLS approval process first.
The application may include company documents, production process information, relevant SON or NAFDAC certificates (where applicable), NEPC registration and other evidence supporting the origin of the product.
The approval process may also involve inspection of a factory or production facility where the product in question is being manufactured.
The exporter may also request the relevant Certificate of Origin for qualifying shipments once the product has been granted the necessary ETLS approval.
The important lesson here is that ETLS duty-free access is not automatic just because the goods are leaving Nigeria for another ECOWAS country. The goods shall satisfy the Rules of Origin and be accompanied by the appropriate documentation.
How To Acquire AfCFTA Certificate of Origin
It’s a little different when you’re exporting under AfCFTA. The AfCFTA Certificate of Origin is processed by the Nigeria Customs Service.
The process below begins with registration on the relevant Nigeria Customs electronic system. The exporter may also be requested to submit a letter of intent stating the country of destination and the products to be exported.
You will then be required to submit supporting documents to prove that your goods meet the AfCFTA Rules of Origin.
These can include:
- Trade invoice;
- Packing list;
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill;
- Product specifications; and
- Records of manufacture or processing, etc.
The Nigeria Customs reviews the information and where the origin requirements have been met, issues the Certificate of Origin. The AfCFTA certificate also contains crucial shipment information such as; exporter and consignee details, description of goods, HS Code, invoice details and the origin criterion applied for the product to be eligible.
How Much Does a Certificate of Origin Cost?
There is no standard fee for all Certificate of Origin in Nigeria.
The amount varies depending upon the issuing body, certificate type, chamber and chamber membership.
So, it’s better to check with NACCIMA or Nigeria Customs Service to confirm the current amount before you pay.
Don’t trust old fees that you might find on a blog or social media.
What not to do
Inconsistency is one of the commonest problems in export documentation.
The description of the goods on your Certificate of Origin should be the same as on your invoice, packing list and customs documents.
Same too for the HS Code, quantity, value and origin information.
You will also need records of the source of raw materials and the way the goods were made. If the customs authorities in the importing country want to verify an origin claim, they may ask for further evidence.
Do not falsify the origin declaration in an effort to obtain lower import duties.
The product must genuinely qualify under the Rules of Origin for the trade arrangement being claimed.
Apply through official channels – not through unofficial certificates or dubious intermediaries.
Conclusion
There is no difficulty in getting a Certificate of Origin in Nigeria if you have your business documents complete and know which certificate your shipment requires.
You may need a general Certificate of Origin through NACCIMA for an ordinary export. If you are exporting within ECOWAS, and claiming ETLS benefits, you will need the appropriate preferential certificate and product approval.
However, for export under the AfCFTA trade, the process requires Nigeria Customs and proof of meeting AfCFTA Rules of Origin for the goods.
Most importantly, you want to address origin at the beginning of the transaction, not when your goods are already at the port or border of export destination. Verify the HS Code of your product, maintain accurate records of sourcing and manufacturing, prepare your commercial documentation and identify the trade agreement that applies to the country of destination. This makes the application much easier and reduces the chance of customs delays later on.
Kindly note that, the Certificate of Origin procedures, fees and digital platforms are subject to change. Always check with NACCIMA, Nigeria Customs, or the Nigeria Trade Information Portal for the latest requirements before you apply.
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