Freight Notes, Customs Specifications and Import Licences for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 17 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Store Management
Curriculum Theme: Documents used in foreign trade
Previous Lesson: Documents Used in
Topic: Documents used in foreign trade
Subject Matter: Freight Note, Customs Specification, Import License, NAFDAC registration number for food and drug, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for other products

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define a freight note.
• Explain the purpose of customs specifications.
• Identify the types of import licenses.
• State the role of NAFDAC in import documentation for food and drugs.
• State the role of SON in import documentation for other products.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of accurate documentation in foreign trade.
• Recognize the need for compliance with regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and SON.
• Value the role of these documents in facilitating smooth international trade.

Psychomotor Domain

• Examine samples of freight notes, customs specifications, and import licenses.
• Identify key information on foreign trade documents.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Store Management textbook for SS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of Work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing samples of a freight note, customs specification, and import license.
• Images or actual samples of NAFDAC registration numbers and SONCAP certificates.
• Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it equips students with knowledge of essential documents required for international trade, particularly in the Nigerian context. Understanding these documents helps in ensuring smooth customs clearance, compliance with regulations, and efficient store management of imported goods. This knowledge is crucial for future careers in logistics, supply chain management, and international business.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils/students should have a basic understanding of international trade, imports, exports, and the general concept of documentation in business transactions.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Documents used in foreign trade

Freight Note

A freight note is a document issued by a carrier (e.g., shipping company, airline) to the consignor (shipper) acknowledging receipt of goods for shipment and detailing the freight charges. It serves as a bill for the transportation services.

Key information typically found on a freight note includes:

1. Name and address of the consignor (shipper).
2. Name and address of the consignee (receiver).
3. Description of goods (e.g., quantity, weight, dimensions).
4. Origin and destination of the shipment.
5. Freight charges and other associated costs.
6. Terms of payment.
7. Date of issue.

Customs Specification

Customs specification refers to the detailed information and documentation required by customs authorities to clear goods for import or export. It ensures that goods comply with national laws, tariffs, and regulations.

The purpose of customs specification is to:

1. Determine the correct import duties and taxes.
2. Ensure compliance with trade policies and restrictions.
3. Facilitate the smooth movement of goods across borders.
4. Gather trade statistics.

Information typically required for customs specification includes:

1. Commercial Invoice: Details of the transaction, value of goods.
2. Packing List: Contents of each package, weight, and dimensions.
3. Bill of Lading/Air Waybill: Contract between shipper and carrier.
4. Certificate of Origin: Proof of where goods were manufactured.
5. Import/Export License: Permission to trade specific goods.
6. Product Certificates: NAFDAC, SON, etc., where applicable.

Import License

An import license is an official document issued by a government authority that grants permission to an individual or company to import specific goods into a country. It is a regulatory tool used to control the volume and type of goods entering the country.

The purposes of an import license include:

1. Controlling the flow of certain goods into the country.
2. Protecting domestic industries from excessive foreign competition.
3. Ensuring national security and public health by restricting hazardous goods.
4. Managing foreign exchange reserves.

Types of import licenses:

1. General License: Allows the importation of a broad range of goods without specific quantity or value restrictions, often for a defined period.
2. Specific License: Issued for the importation of a particular quantity or value of specific goods, often for a single transaction or a limited time. These are typically required for sensitive goods or those subject to quotas.

NAFDAC Registration Number for Food and Drug

NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) is a Nigerian government agency responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, and chemicals.

A NAFDAC registration number is a unique identification number issued by NAFDAC to products that have met the agency’s quality and safety standards. For imported food and drug products, obtaining a NAFDAC registration number is mandatory before they can be legally sold or distributed in Nigeria.

Importance for importers:

1. Ensures public health and safety.
2. Grants legal permission to market and distribute products in Nigeria.
3. Avoids seizure of goods and legal penalties.
4. Builds consumer trust and confidence in the product.

Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for Other Products

SON (Standard Organisation of Nigeria) is the apex standardization body in Nigeria. It is responsible for developing standards, ensuring quality assurance, and promoting standardization in all sectors of the Nigerian economy, except for food, drugs, and medical devices which are regulated by NAFDAC.

For imported products other than food and drugs (e.g., electronics, textiles, building materials, machinery), SON requires compliance with its standards through the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP). Importers must obtain a SONCAP certificate, which includes a Product Certificate and a SONCAP Certificate, to clear their goods at Nigerian ports.

Importance for importers:

1. Ensures that imported products meet Nigerian industrial standards.
2. Protects consumers from substandard and hazardous goods.
3. Facilitates smooth customs clearance for non-food/drug items.
4. Prevents market dumping of inferior products.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils/students and asks them to recall what they know about international trade and why documents are important in business transactions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students respond to the teacher’s questions, sharing their prior knowledge.

Learning Point: Importance of documentation

Step 2: Freight Note

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines a freight note, explains its purpose, and points out key information on a sample chart or image. The teacher asks questions to ensure understanding.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students listen, observe the chart, ask questions, and answer the teacher’s questions.

Learning Point: Meaning of freight note

Step 3: Customs Specification

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Clarifying

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what customs specification entails, its purpose, and the typical documents required. The teacher uses examples to illustrate the concept.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students pay attention, take notes, and contribute to the discussion by asking relevant questions.

Learning Point: Purpose of customs specification

Step 4: Import License

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Definition/Classification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines an import license, explains its importance, and differentiates between general and specific licenses. The teacher provides examples of goods requiring licenses.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students listen, identify the types of licenses, and ask for clarifications.

Learning Point: Types of import licenses

Step 5: NAFDAC Registration Number

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Regulatory Context

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces NAFDAC, explains the necessity of its registration number for food and drug imports, and highlights the implications of non-compliance. The teacher shows examples of NAFDAC numbers on products.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students listen, observe product examples, and understand NAFDAC’s role.

Learning Point: NAFDAC’s role in imports

Step 6: Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Regulatory Context

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces SON, explains its role for other imported products, and discusses the SONCAP certificate. The teacher compares and contrasts SON’s role with NAFDAC’s.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students listen, ask questions about SONCAP, and differentiate between NAFDAC and SON responsibilities.

Learning Point: SON’s role in imports

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is a freight note?
2. Mention two purposes of customs specifications.
3. Differentiate between a general and a specific import license.
4. Why is a NAFDAC registration number important for imported food products?
5. What is the role of SON for imported products other than food and drugs?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding foreign trade documents

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on freight notes, customs specifications, import licenses, NAFDAC, and SON into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the importance of proper documentation in foreign trade and encourages pupils/students to always verify regulatory compliance for imported goods. The teacher answers any final questions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students listen, ask final questions, and reflect on the lesson.

Learning Point: Consolidating key concepts

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Explain in your own words why an import license is necessary for some goods entering Nigeria.
2. Research and list three specific products that require a NAFDAC registration number and three products that require SONCAP certification before importation into Nigeria.
3. Imagine you are an importer. Describe the steps you would take to ensure your imported goods comply with Nigerian customs and regulatory requirements.

Lesson Keywords

• Freight Note – A document issued by a carrier detailing goods received for shipment and freight charges.
• Customs Specification – Detailed information and documentation required by customs for goods clearance.
• Import License – Official permission from a government to import specific goods into a country.
• NAFDAC – National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, regulating food and drug imports in Nigeria.
• SON – Standard Organisation of Nigeria, regulating standards for other imported products.
• Foreign Trade – Exchange of goods and services between countries.
• Documentation – The process of providing written records or evidence.

Differentiation

For learners who may struggle, the teacher can provide simplified handouts with key definitions and visual aids. For advanced learners, encourage them to research specific examples of goods that have been seized due to non-compliance with NAFDAC or SON regulations, and discuss the economic implications.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: freight note customs specification import license nigeria SS3