Cargo from China, India must have CRIA, says NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says importers and customs agents deliberately do not submit the stamped documents of their cargo, most especially from China and India, in order to falsify and under-declare their contents.

To curb this act and save the health of the nation, NAFDAC has directed that from Monday, June 15, 2020 all NAFDAC products regulated from these two countries – China and India – must have Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA).

This development was contained in a circular issued by SON on June 10, 2020 and signed by Professor Prof. Samson B. Adebayo, Head of Port Inspection Directorate, exempting chemicals and other regulated products on the CRIA Exemption List.

According to NAFDAC in the circular, ‘’It has come to our knowledge that NAFDAC approved Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis  (CRIA) Agents always stamp packing lists and invoices presented during processing of CRIA  reports to Exporters of NAFDAC regulated products from China and India. These stamped packing lists and invoices are not usually submitted by importers and their clearing agents to the Ports Inspection Directorate during clearance of NAFDAC regulated products at the ports. 

‘’It is also observed that many importers and their clearing agents do not submit these stamped  documents in order to falsify them and under-declare the contents of their consignments.

‘’Consequent upon the above, you are notified that from Monday 15th June 2020, the  submission of CRIA Agents stamped packing lists and invoices would become part of the  mandatory documentation requirements for the clearance of NAFDAC regulated products  from China and India. Be informed that this does not apply to chemicals and other regulated products on the CRIA Exemption List.

‘’In addition, kindly note that you are required to also submit NAFDAC electronic approvals,  certificates and permits from the Single Window Trade Portal as part of required documents  for clearance of NAFDAC regulated products at the ports. This is not limited to China and India but applies to every country and also takes effect from Monday 15th June 2020.’’