Certification
Once inspection and testing are reviewed, the outcome is documented in a Certificate of Conformity or a Non-Conformity Report.
What it involves
A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) shows that a consignment has been assessed and meets the applicable standards and regulations. A Non-Conformity Report (NCR) records that it does not.
Why it matters
The CoC accompanies the consignment and is checked at the point of entry. A certificate is never automatic: it is issued only when the documents, inspection and test results support it.
Who may need it
- Importers clearing goods at the destination
- Exporters whose buyers require a CoC
- Authorities verifying consignments
How the decision is made
Inspection report reviewed
Findings are checked against the request and documents.
Test results reviewed
Laboratory results or valid test reports are assessed.
Corrective action, if needed
Where results fail: is corrective action possible, and is it acceptable?
CoC or NCR issued
Conforming goods receive a CoC; others receive an NCR.
Certificate of Conformity
- Goods meet the applicable requirements
- Accompanies the consignment
- Goods are inspected at entry and released if they meet requirements
Non-Conformity Report
- Goods do not conform
- Corrective action not possible or not acceptable
- Under PVoC, goods are not permitted into South Sudan
What a CoC records
A CoC is issued for customs clearance. It identifies the consignment closely enough for border officials to match the certificate to the goods.
- Certificate
- CoC number, issuance date, reference and registration numbers
- Parties
- Importer and exporter, with addresses
- Commercial
- Invoice number, date, amount and currency
- Shipment
- Method and country of shipment, transport details, declared point of entry
- Packing
- Packages, container or truck numbers, seal numbers
- Goods
- Quantity, origin as marked, description and applicable standard
- Inspection
- Date of inspection and invoice FOB value
- Issuer
- Issuing office and authorised signature
Outcome
A Certificate of Conformity for goods that meet requirements, or a Non-Conformity Report where they do not.
Certification in context
Certification is the formal, documented outcome of conformity assessment: an attestation, based on the evidence gathered, that specified requirements are fulfilled.
General industry context. It describes the standard or term, not a CERTECH accreditation.
Questions
Is a CoC guaranteed once I apply?
No. A CoC is issued only when the documents, inspection and test results show that the goods meet the applicable requirements.
Will goods with a CoC be checked on arrival?
Yes. Goods accompanied by a CoC are inspected at the point of entry and released if they meet requirements.
What happens to goods without a CoC?
Under the PVoC program, goods arriving at the entry point without a CoC are subject to destination inspection.
Related services
Inspection
Physical inspection of goods at the supplier, before they ship, with samples drawn where testing is needed.
Testing coordination
Review of existing test reports, and testing by accredited or recognised ISO/IEC 17025 laboratories.
Document verification
A documentary check of the request, invoice, test reports and quality documents before inspection.
