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Ministry of Trade and Commerce

Produce Operator Registration

Register as a produce merchant, buying agent, exporter, processor or store keeper.

Who can apply

The operator — a company by its business ABSSIN, or a person by their own.

  • I am applying for the company
  • I trade in my own name

What you receive

A produce operator licence (MTC-PR-COC-2026-000123), valid for the year — shown at every produce point.

It is valid for a year from the day it is issued. It is issued as the Produce Operator Licence, with a QR code anyone can scan to confirm it is genuine and in force.

What you will need

Your application asks only for what your answers call for. Clear scans or photographs (PDF, JPG or PNG) are fine. Do not upload a tax clearance certificate: the Board of Internal Revenue checks it for you.

  • Letter of application Required
  • Photographs of the store(s) Required If you answer "Yes" to "Do you keep a produce store in Abia State?"
  • Federal produce licence (exporters) (if it applies)
  • Means of identification of the proprietor (NIN slip, passport or driver's licence) Required For a person applying in their own name
  • Certificate of incorporation (or business name registration) Required For a company or business name
  • CAC status report (or Form CAC 7) naming the directors Required For a company or business name The desk officer confirms the directors you listed against it.

How it is processed

  1. Desk review — your application and documents are being checked
  2. Directors and CAC record — the company's directors are being confirmed For a company or business name only
  3. Inspection — your premises are due for inspection
  4. BIR assessment and payment — with the Board of Internal Revenue for assessment and payment
  5. Approval — your application is with the approving authority
  6. Issuance — your licence is being issued

Each stage is decided by the officer responsible for it, and approvals by officers who took no other part in the case. If anything more is needed you are asked on your Case Pass, and the clock waits for you. You are told at every step by SMS and WhatsApp.

The inspection

An inspector visits the premises before the application can go further. You are told the date in advance. The inspector checks:

  • Stores as declared
  • Weighing scales calibrated
  • Storage conditions