Step by step Procedures for would be importers:

(STAGE 1)
1. Have a company name
2. Register a company name with CAC (Article of Ass., spelling for importation process)
3. Open an account with any commercial bank in Nigeria (Current/domiciliary)
4. Obtain a TIN with FIRS
5. Validate your TIN for FOREX (Not Valid for FOREX)
6. A password will be generated for you to access the Nigeria Single Trade Window using your TIN as username and will be sent to the
email provided for FIRS
(STAGE 2)
1. Surf for credible suppliers/exporters online (please consider references from previous importers)
2. Ask for quote on your chosen products/goods
3. Sign an agreement with the exporter before proceeding to establishing a biz relationship.
4. Get a valid Proforma invoice describing the goods/products, quantity, generic status, price, etc after thorough negotiation on price. (best
deal as Nigeria concern Lol)
5. Consult your local insurance broker to do Marine Insurance for you
6. Get a SONCAP Product Certificate, Permit as the case may be from your supplier (notice: not all imported goods require SONCAP)
7. A letter of Evidence of Payment indicating your source of fund (using your letterhead) for CBN approval.
8. Statement of Account with balance equivalent to your Proforma Invoice.

(STAGE 3)

1. log on to Nigeria Single Trade Window on www.trade.gov.ng
2. enter your TIN as username and password generated on {STAGE 1 (6)} as password
3. click on CBN and Form M to complete the form
4. the asterisk part are most important and must be filled carefully
5. click on the bars to fill each page carefully {1st bar, please choose your bank as done in Stage 1 (3) and other details}
6. upload the docs on {stage 2 (4,5,6,7,} i.e Proforma invoice, Insurance certificate, SONCAP Product Certificate), Statement of Account,
Letter for evidence of payment
7. verify all pages and click submit
8. inform your bank Account officer upon submission to VALIDATE the transaction
9. Wait for NCS to REGISTER the application or QUERRY the application.
10. Upon REGISTERING, a MF number and BA number will be generated for you, send the two (2) nos to your exporter for the purpose of
Bill of Lading. Finally, you are good to instruct your exporter to ship the goods


(STAGE 4)
1. Get all necessary docs for pre clearing from your supplier i.e commercial invoice, packing list, CCVO, Product certificate and Bill of
Lading.
2. Take all the hard copies of the Pre Clearing docs to the Trade Services of your bank through your Account Officer together with a letter to
process your PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report).
3. Meanwhile, new CBN policy says the Exporter sends the pre-clearing docs straight to the Importer Bank(your bank) without you accessing
the docs
4. After 48hours, your PAAR should be ready for collection
5. Collect your PAAR from your bank and proceeds to your clearing agent with other pre clearing docs for process of clearing.

3. Open an account with any commercial bank in Nigeria (Current/domiciliary)
4. Obtain a TIN with FIRS
5. Validate your TIN for FOREX (Not Valid for FOREX)

I thought you will obtain TIN 1st b4 openning account cos the bank will ask 4 ur TIN no during account opening