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Exporting from Nigeria – A Guide to Product Specification

If you live in Nigeria and you have the intention to start exporting goods from Nigeria to other parts of the world, then you must seek to pursue best practices in the Import and Export Industry. It is true that anybody can export goods from Nigeria to their clients outside the shores of Nigeria as long as they meet all the laid down requirements for those in the exporting business in Nigeria.

It is a fact that no country would want to allow people to export goods from her shores without ensuring that the goods meet certain standard. In Nigeria, we have a government organization like the Standard Organization of Nigeria (S.O.N) that ensures that all goods that are produced in Nigeria meet the certain requirements. The Standard Organization of Nigeria works hand in glove with the International Standard Organization (I.S.O) to ensure that any product that comes out of Nigeria is not substandard and can be used conveniently in any part of the world.

So if you are in the business of exporting goods from Nigeria, then you must ensure that you only export goods that meet the requirements set by the Standard Organization of Nigeria. These are the basic things you need to know about the products specifications when you are in the business of exporting goods from Nigeria:

Exporting from Nigeria: What You Need to Know About Product Specification

1. You Need to Know About the Overall Dimension of the Products You Intend Exporting

It is very important to specify the overall dimensions of your product, so that whoever wants to buy your products is be able to have a pre-knowledge of the size of the products and the space it might occupy so that they can be well guided when making provision for transportation and logistics.

2. You Need to Know about the Materials Used in the Production of the Products You Intend Exporting

It is important to know the details of all the materials used in the production of the goods you intend exporting so that your buyers and the end users may know how to handle and manage the products. For instance; if the product you intend exporting is made up of iron, then you should know that if it is exposed to mist of water, it might likely get rusted. Also, if your product is made up of breakable glass, then you need to inform those handling it to handle it with care.

3. You Need to Know About the Environmental Effects and Requirements of Your Products

The manufacturer might specify the effect some products have on human and how to handle and make use of them. For example; if your product is flammable when exposed to certain high level temperature or fire, then it would be very important that you highlight it on the product so that those transporting it will know how to handle it.

4. You Expected to Know about the Anthropometrics and Ergonomics

You are expected to include the sizes of people that are expected to make use of your products. Take for instance; if you are manufacturing and exporting shirts, you should design your shirts or dresses in different sizes that complies with the sizes in Europe, UK, USA et al. You just have to know the various sizes of people in relationship to the products you intend exporting. Let us get it straight, Anthropometrics is the study of the sizes of people with respect to products, why Ergonomics is just the relationship between people and the products they use. The bottom line is that the data generated from Anthropometric is used to help design products to meet ergonomic needs.

5. You are expected to Include Users Manual in All Your Products

It is very important to include user’s manual with all of your products meant for exportation. With the User’s manual or guide, it makes it easier for anybody to purchase and use your products. All you need to do is to ensure that your product manual is written in languages that people in the country you intend to export them to understand.

6. You Need to Include Details of the Source of Power Requirement for Your Products

If your product requires electric to power it, then you just have to include the power requirements for the products. If you specify the power requirement for your products, then you would guide against electric voltage blowing off your products in the hands of the end users. It is fact that some countries have specification for all electric appliances that is imported in to their countries. So if you are into the exportation of electric appliances, ensure that your products meet the electric power requirement of the country you intend exporting your products to.

There are a lot you need to know about products specification if you are in the business of exporting. The best way to go about it is to check the requirements for the kind of products you intend exporting with the country you would be exporting the products to. In order for you to continue to be in the business of exporting, you must produce goods that meet the specifications of International Standard Organization (ISO).