© 2026 Observater Surveys and Services Group. All rights reserved.
Navigating the complexities of Nigerian Trade Compliance. From Project Cargo Lashing and Bulk Draft Surveys to Container Cross-Stuffing and NESS Exports. We are the independent eyes for global buyers, insurers, and financiers in Lagos, Onne, and Port Harcourt.
PSI is a mandatory trade requirement in Nigeria involving the physical verification of goods before they are exported or imported. For exports, it ensures compliance with the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) to validate quality and quantity for repatriation of funds. For imports, it verifies conformity to SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program) to prevent substandard goods from entering the country.
Before you transfer a deposit to a Nigerian supplier, you must verify their existence and capacity. We offer three distinct levels of verification across Lagos, Kano, Ogun, and Port Harcourt.
Designed to detect scams and “Briefcase Companies”. We confirm the supplier is real.
Assessing the actual production capacity and quality systems (ISO 9001).
Mandatory for major EU/US retailers. Ensuring no child labor or unsafe conditions.
Nigeria’s infrastructure projects (Rail, Refineries, Power) require the movement of massive equipment. We provide technical supervision for Out of Gauge (OOG) and break-bulk cargo at Apapa, Tincan, and Onne Ports.
Checking the securing of cargo on Flat Racks or inside vessels. We calculate the Minimum Breaking Load (MBL) of chains and tensioners to ensure they can withstand ocean forces.
Improper lashing leads to cargo shifting at sea, causing catastrophic damage. Insurers often deny claims if no independent lashing certificate exists.
Direct hook-to-truck supervision. We verify the use of correct lifting gear (spreaders, grommets) to prevent damage to sensitive points. We document the condition before lifting to separate pre-shipment damage from handling damage.
For commodities shipped loose (Fertilizer, Wheat, Sugar, Clinker), standard weighing is impossible. We use displacement science to certify quantity.
Determining cargo weight by measuring the vessel’s water displacement before and after operations.
Reading draft marks at 6 points. Measuring specific gravity of harbor water using a hydrometer. Sounding all ballast/fuel tanks.
Repeating measurements after loading/discharge. The difference in displacement (minus consumables) equals cargo weight.
Providing an independent weight certificate accepted by Customs and Receivers.
Monitoring discharge of bulk Urea/DAP at Lagos terminals into bagging hoppers. We tally the output (50kg bags) to reconcile against bill of lading weight.
Hatch sealing and unsealing. Inspection for water ingress or mold in top layers. Continuous supervision during pneumatic discharge.
Counting bags loaded onto trucks for inland transit. Verifying truck condition (tarpaulins, floor cleanliness) to prevent loss in transit.
From verifying export quality to rescuing cargo from damaged containers at the port. Our container services cover the full lifecycle of the box.
Often, containers arrive at Apapa/Onne with damage (holes, leaks) or reefers malfunction. We supervise the transfer of goods to a sound container to prevent total loss.
We supervise the fitting of Flexibags for non-hazardous liquid exports (Palm Oil, Rubber Latex). Critical checks include:
Under the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme, legally exported goods must be inspected. We act on behalf of buyers to ensure the quality matches the paperwork, supporting the issuance of the Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI).
Review of Proforma Invoice, NXP Form, and Packing List. Confirmation of warehouse location.
Sampling per ISO 2859-1. Quality checks (Moisture, Sizing). Verification of “Made in Nigeria” marks.
Supervision of loading. “First In, First Out”. Container fitness check. Application of high-security seal.
Issuance of Inspection Report to facilitate the Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) for fund repatriation.
Nigerian banks and international trade financiers face high risks when lending against physical commodities. We provide the boots on the ground to secure these assets.
A one-time unannounced visit to verify that the goods funded by the bank actually exist in the warehouse and haven’t been sold.
Periodic (Weekly/Monthly) reporting on stock levels, movement, and condition. We act as the independent third party reporter.
Full Legal Control. We take possession of the warehouse keys. We place our own padlocks and security guards. Goods are only released upon written instruction from the Bank.
Exporting from Nigeria is not just about quality; it’s about meeting the strict regulations of the receiving country. We verify compliance before the container leaves Apapa.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP) is mandatory. We assist importers in validating goods before they leave the country of origin (China, India, Europe).
For infrequent shipments. Inspection and testing for every shipment to get a CoC.
For frequent importers. Product Certificate (PC) valid for 1 year. 40% inspection rate.
For manufacturers. License valid for 1 year. Low inspection frequency, high audit rate.
When cargo arrives damaged, speed is essential. We provide independent technical reports to support your insurance claim and mitigate the loss.
Meeting with the Shipping Line’s surveyor and the Terminal representative. We agree on the extent of damage (count of wet/broken boxes) without admitting liability, establishing a factual baseline.
Determining the root cause. Was it seawater (Silver Nitrate test)? Condensation (rain vs sweat)? Or rough handling? This determines if the carrier or the insurer is liable.
Organizing salvage sales for damaged goods (e.g., wet sugar sold for industrial use) to minimize the total claim amount. We manage the bidding process to get the best value.
International trade in Nigeria has specific risks. We have developed protocols to counter the most common fraudulent practices used by unscrupulous agents.
Loading good quality bags at the door, but rubbish/sand in the nose of the container. Our Solution: We inspect during the entire stuffing process, not just the end.
Spraying water on Cocoa or Seeds to increase weight, leading to mold at destination. Our Solution: Random moisture testing on 20% of bags.
Shipping empty containers to claim illegal export rebates. Our Solution: We seal the container and record the seal number on the spot.
While not legally mandatory for all goods, a Technical Factory Audit is highly recommended to verify that the supplier exists and has the capacity to produce your order. For specific regulated products under SONCAP (Route B & C), a factory audit is required to issue a Product Certificate.
All regulated products must carry the MANCAP/SONCAP identification. Labels must be in English and include: Product Name, Country of Origin (“Made in…”), Date of Manufacture/Expiry, Batch Number, and Manufacturer’s details. Failure to label correctly creates a high risk of seizure by Customs.
No. The NXP (Nigerian Export Proceeds) form is issued by the exporter’s commercial bank. Observater TPI performs the physical inspection required to validate the details on the NXP form, allowing the issuance of the Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI).
Please specify if this is for Export (NESS), Import (SONCAP), or Bank Collateral.
When precision matters, Observater Surveys Group is your Partner of Choice
© 2026 Observater Surveys and Services Group. All rights reserved.