There are Nigerians who want to become exporters of goods from Nigeria , but they don’t know how to get export licence in Nigeria. If you fit into this description, please read this article very carefully because it contains all the important information you’d like to have, to be able to begin your export business in Nigeria and make a lot of money.
Some of the richest people in Nigeria make part of their money from the business of exporting various agricultural products from Nigeria to other parts of the world. You probably know this information. However, what you do not know is how they become exporters of commodities from Nigeria to the outside world. Fortunately for you, this article will show you the first step they took to become what they are today. That step was the acquisition of an Export License from the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Before we proceed, it is important to let you know why you’d need an Export License to be able to export agricultural products or any other commodities from Nigeria to the rest of the world.
So, What Is An Export License?
An export license is a certificate of approval issued by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria to individuals who want to go into the business of exporting approved commodities from Nigeria to other countries of the world.
About Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council came into being through the promulgation of the “Nigerian Export Promotion Council Decree No. 26 of 1976” under the then military Head of States, General Olusegun Obasanjo. It is now an Act in accordance with the country’s democratic governance. It is the highest Federal Government institution for the promotion, development, and diversification of exports in Nigeria.
Over the years, the NEPC has worked to actualize its objectives by:
- Directing all national export programs.
- Organizing and coordinating export development and promotion efforts.
- Interacting with international trade organizations to cooperate and create capacity.
The Management Team of the organization, which comprises Directors and Department Heads, is led by the Executive Director/CEO. Together, they give operational guidance and strategic programs to a team of approximately 580 individuals. The Council’s main office is in Abuja. NEPC employs a regional office in each of the six geopolitical zones to ensure nationwide coverage. These regional offices are in charge of 26 states’ Smart Offices and Export Assistance Centers.
How To Register For Export License In Nigeria
Before you can successfully register or apply and obtain the export license in Nigeria, there are requirements that you must meet before you can be issued the certificate of approval by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). For the purposes of this subheading, these requirements will be discussed to make it easy for you to begin your registration process.
Requirements For Export License Registration In Nigeria
Thanks to technology, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has made it easy for anyone to apply for the export license from anywhere with stress. This is called E-Registration.
To export from Nigeria, you must register with NEPC. This can be accomplished ONLY by using the e-registration portal. In this section, we will provide you with useful information about how to obtain an Exporter’s Certificate.
Additional Advantages
You can receive the following trade assistance services in addition to an exporters certificate:
- Export incentives
- Export capacity building programmes (trainings, seminars, workshops etc)
- Networking exporters for collaboration and exchange ideas
- Trade linkages (B2B, B2C)
Guidelines & Procedures For E-Registration
The following documents are necessary for registration depending on the type of business:
-
Documents For Limited Liability Company
- Certificate of Incorporation (issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission)
- Copy of Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Copy of Form CAC 1.1 – “section C” (Particulars of Directors) or Status report . This used to be called: Form C07 or Form CAC 7.
- Board approval to register company with the NEPC (Company Seal affixed)
-
Documents For Co-Operative Society
- Certificate of Registration (issued by State Ministry of Commerce, Local Governments and Federal Capital Territory Area Councils)
- Bye Laws of the Society
- Board approval to register company with the NEPC (Company Seal affixed)
-
Documents For Government And Non-Government Organization
- Certificate of Registration (issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission)
- Constitution of the Government Organization and non-Governmental Organization
- Memorandum for Guidance of Applicant
- Board of trustees’ approval to register company with the NEPC (Company Seal affixed)
E-Registration Fees & charges
To be able to acquire an exporters certificate requires you to pay some costs excluding remita/bank charges.
- New certificate registration – N13,500
- Expired certificate renewal – N7,500
- Late certificate renewal (after 3months of expiry) – N12,500
- Lost / mutilated certificate – N12,500
E-Registration Payment Methods
There are many easy payment methods provided by NEPC to make the payment process easy for applicants, these payment methods include:
- Credit/ debit cards
- International credit / debit cards
- Internet banking
- Commercial banks in Nigeria
E-Registration Payment confirmation
You can verify your payment for the registration by following these steps below:
- Copy the Order ID from your certificate (see Transactions Log)
- Input it in the field besides “Get Status.”
- Click on “Get Status” to confirm your payment.
- You will receive a notice of the status of your payment.
How To Register For Export Licence On NEPC Portal
To get the export licence from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) you must first do the E-registration on the website. This is the point where you will provide all the required information that will enable NEPC issue you a licence. Kindly follow the steps below to register:
- visit the NEPC official website. The screenshot below shows how the page will appear on your computer.
- If you have not created an account, please click on the “register or Login here” as shaded at the bottom of the screenshot above.
- Once you click on “Register or Login here,” a new page will open as shown in the screenshot below.
- Click on the area “Getting Started” painted yellow as seen in the screenshot above.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Create An Account.
- Once the page opens, input your email address and the code that will be displayed on your page. Note that the screenshot used below is to guide you. Don’t input the code seen on the screenshot, please.
- Login to your email box and verify your email by clicking on the link sent to you.
- Once you click on the link sent to your inbox, a page like the one in the screenshot below will open. Supply all the information required and follow subsequent instructions to complete your E-registration for the export certificate.
Export Licence/Certificate Validity Period
Certificates awarded by NEPC are valid for two years (24 months), after which they are renewed annually. Note that renewal must take place within three months after the date of expiration at the cost of Twelve Thousand and Five Hundred Naira (N12,500).
Collection Of Licence/Certificate
Unlike in the past when exporters were mandated to collect their certificates in person, they are no longer required to visit NEPC locations to obtain their certificates. To collect your certificate, kindly follow the steps outlined below to print your certificate:
How To Print Your License/Certificate
To print your export certificate, please follow the easy steps highlighted below:
Step 1: Log into the NEPC website https://nepc.gov.ng/ereg/exporter and click on “Registration Details” as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 2: Click on the action button and select “download and print certificate” from the dropdown options as shown in the screenshot below.
Timeline For Service
You will get your Export certifications within one working day following payment confirmation. You are advised to kindly keep in mind that your certificate may be delayed if you fail to confirm your payment, or if you submit incorrect documents, or insufficient information.
Additional Registration Assistance
If you have any reason to ask for further assistance, you can kindly contact NEPC through the online chat to speak with a staff directly. Alternatively, you can go to the nearest NEPC export assistance office. They will be very delighted to assist you resolve you issue.
NEPC Office Addresses In Nigeria
The NEPC has two kinds of offices across Nigeria. They have regional offices and state coordinating offices which are located at the capital of each state of the federation. Please find these office addresses and their contacts below.
Headquarters, F.C.T,Abuja
Plot 424, Aguiyi Ironsi Street,
Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria
P.M. B. 133 Garki, Abuja
CEO Email: ceo@nepc.gov.ng
Email: enquiries@nepc.gov.ng
Email: helpdesk@nepc.gov.ng
Regional Coordinating Offices
Lagos
13/15, Ladipo Oluwole Street,
Off Marina Road, Apapa, Lagos
lagos@nepc.gov.ng
+2349017659969
Enugu
Agric Bank Building, upper Presidential Road,
Independence Layout, Enugu State
enugu@nepc.gov.ng
+2348139152855
Kano
14, Langtang street, P.M.B 2729,
Jos, Plateau State
jos@nepc.gov.ng
+2348147909421
Yola
80 Unit Housing Estate, Garei,
Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State
yola@nepc.gov.ng
+2347039965515
Port-Harcourt
7/8, Peremabiri Street, D Line,
Port Harcourt, River State.
portharcourt@nepc.gov.ng
+2347048238217
Kano
Office Address: 16, New Court Road, Gyadi-Gyadi, Kano
Email: kano@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347064930868
State Coordinating Offices
Awka
Office Address: Ministry of Trade and Commerce, 3rd Floor, Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Arroma, State Secretariat, Awka, Anambra State.
Email: awka@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349066555765
Ibadan
Office Address: Room 14, Min. of Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, State Secretariat,
Agodi, Ibadan Oyo State.
Email: ibadan@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348149743431
Abeokuta
Office Address: Block B, Suite 340, Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Email: abeokuta@nepc.gov.ng
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Office Address: 18/25, Ikot Abasi Street, Off Udoumana Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom
Email: uyo@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349131670516
Kebbi
Office Address: No. 5, Murtala Mohammed Way, Tudun Wada, Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Email: kebbi@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349025006834
Makurdi
Office Address: Plot BP 4288, Paul Harris Ogboli Street, Opp Ministry of Justice, Old GRA, Makurdi, Benue State
Email: makurdi@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349066555765
Akure
Office Address: Ondo State Development and property Corporation (OSDPC) Complex, Ado- Owo Road, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State.
Email: akure@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349130989063
Lokoja
Office Address: No. 51 Okene-Kabba Road Opposite Civil Defence Hqrts, First Floor Suite 4, Zone 8, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Email: lokoja@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348082447203
Lafia
Office Address: Hon Justice Sidi Bage Federal Secretariat Complex, Jos Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Email: lafia@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348146808551
Benin
Office Address: 35B, Oghosa Crescent, Off Ihama Road, Benin-City, Edo State .
Email: benin@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349058850064
Owerri
Office Address: Cex 8, Executive Quarters, Concord Layout, Owerri, Imo State.
Email: owerri@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348117558244
Abakaliki
Office Address: Block F, Former Secretariat Complex, Opp Unity Square, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Email: abakaliki@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347068618777
Kaduna
Office Address: Ministry of Business innovation and Technology Macciddo Dalhatu Secretariat Complex, Independence Way, Kaduna State
Email: kaduna@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348092057781
Osogbo
Office Address: Ministry of Commerce’s Premises, Oshogbo State Secretariat, Abeere, Oshogbo, Osun State.
Email: osogbo@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349066661317
Minna
Office Address: Muhammed Muazu Road, Old Secretariat, Minna, Niger State, P.M.B 131
Email: minna@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348166107440
Asaba
Office Address: Olorun Felix Ibru Secretariat, Maryam Babangida Way, Asaba, Delta State.
Email: asaba@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348102855801
Jalingo
Office Address: 5 Nyamusala Road, Opp. Tke, Jekadafari, Jalingo, Taraba State.
Email: jalingo@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348130065455
Sokoto
Office Address: Plot 22, Naadi Block, Sudais Road, Off Sultan Maccido Quranic Institute, Sokoto State.
Email: sokoto@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347013060037
Maiduguri
Office Address: Plot 2, Dass Road, Old GRA, Off Damboa Road, Near CAC Office, P. M. B. 1089, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Email: maiduguri@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348103033913
Ado-Ekiti
Office Address: EKSCCIMA Building, Trade Fair Complex, Old Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Email: ekiti@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348108304398
Calabar
Office Address: 3rd Floor, Prof. Eyo Ita House, Marian Road, Calabar, Cross-River State.
Email: calabar@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347048220428
Bauchi
Office Address: Umar Abubakar State Secretariat, Bauchi, Bauchi State.
Email: bauchi@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349018888442
Dutse
Office Address: Block A-Q4 Ground Floor, New Secretariat Complex, Dutse, Jigawa State
Email: jigawa@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347040887437
Gombe
Office Address: Federal Secretariat, Behind Bauchi Park, 3rd Floor, Room 347-349 Gombe, Gombe State
Email: gombe@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347044380467
Ilorin
Office Address: Premises of Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology, Zulu Gambari Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Email: ilorin@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347044380467
Katsina
Office Address: 2nd Floor, Katsina State Investment Building, IBB Way, Katsina.
Email: katsina@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2349135320035
Gusau
Office Address: Zamfara Trade Centre, 710, Government House Road, GRA, Gusau, Zamfara State.
Email: gusau@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2347067086340
Aba
Office Address: 2 Umuimo Street off Aba-Owerri Road, Aba
Email: owerri@nepc.gov.ng
Contact: +2348028367835
Final Thought
As we have shown you in this article, obtaining the export license in Nigeria is very important and simple at the same time. If you have been looking for information about how you can get the license to start the export business that you’ve wanted all this while, now is the time to act. Once you follow the E-registration process that we highlighted above, you will obtain your certificate in a matter of hours.
Kindly drop a comment if you find this information helpful. We will also appreciate if you share this article with your friends and followers on your social media handles.
Leave a Reply