How To Start a Profitable Mini Importation Business in Nigeria

How To Start Mini Importation Business in Nigeria

This is much easier than you think.

Welcome to Money Making Ideas, today I’m going to discuss the mini importation business in Nigeria.

This article will guide you on every detail you have to know for starting a mini importation business here in Nigeria with as low as #10,000.

Many years back here in Nigeria it is impossible to start mini importation in Nigeria with a meager capital of as little as #10,000 but as a result of advancements in technology, thanks to the Internet and social media which as made it this possible in this 24th century with meagre capital of #10,000, in this article you will get to know everything about mini importation without been dumped.

Before I started researching the small-scale business idea that I am about to share with you in this article, I thought international trade was reserved for the government and rich big importers who had strong connections with manufacturers and suppliers abroad

Well, not anymore.

This article reveals how small-scale businessmen and entrepreneurs in Africa can become part of the import business with little capital investment. With the knowledge contained in this article, you too can import products at low wholesale prices and sell them for a much higher profit.

By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know everything you should become an importer and international businessperson!

What You Need To Get Started with Mini Importation Business in Nigeria

These are some of what you need to start an importation business, this basic equipment allows small businessmen and women to now import products at low wholesale prices directly from overseas suppliers and manufacturers, you would need just the following:

1. A computer or mobile phone with access to the internet

2. A valid email address

3. A valid and traceable home or office address in your country to where the items you order will be shipped to.

4. A little money in your bank account. (Capital)

Yes! This is all you need to start your importation business here in Nigeria.

How To Start Mini Importation Business In Nigeria With Little As N10,000

You should be excited to start your new and promising small-scale import business. But before then I will explain all you need to no.

When it comes to importation business, firstly you have to make enough research about the products and also look for fast selling products in your country.

1. Where To Buy Products

After making extensive research about the products to import, the next step is to look for where to buy them.

Due to the high level of Internet fraudsters, you will make sure you order your products from repeatable online stores that sell at wholesale price, some of those online stores will be listed in the next section.

2. Products Qualities

Providing your customers with quality products at cheap prices should be your priority as an importer, you have to make sure you order quality products and note also that pictures of the products can be deceptive sometimes, so be careful of the goods you place on order.

3. Read Products Reviews and Feedback

That is another way that you can use to determine product quality and also a way to know if a seller is dubious or if the seller has some other hidden charges.

Before buying any product from any online seller, make sure you read the product reviews and comments from other buyers and previous customers.

Also, check the section for feedback this will help a long way in determining products to buy.

4. Payment Method

There are many methods through which you can pay for what you order, some of the ways to pay are through PayPal or using your ATM card but for me have been using Gtbank Naira-based master ATM card to pay which is pretty work. The only problem associated with this is the rate of Dollar to Naira which can sometimes be unfavorable.

5. Shipping Cost

Free shipping is available for most of these online stores but will take a longer time for your goods to arrive either 15-60 days long. But if you want it quickly there are fast shipping companies like FedEx which will deliver your products within a few days.

You will be notified by Nipost when your item arrives, visit their office with any ID card or proof of identification in other to collect your imported goods depending on the service you paid for.

6. Selling Your Products

After the arrival of your products, the next thing to do is to start selling them.

Once your products arrive, it’s now up to you to start selling your products.

You can sell to your family, friends, colleagues Etc also market your products on social media like Facebook, and Instagram.

You can also set up your own online website or sell your goods on Konga Market Place, GTB SME market hub Etc

Always remember to import and sell quality items in order to attract and retain as many customers as possible.

Endeavor to have the contact or numbers of all your clients so that you will be able to notify them whenever your new products arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mini Importation Business in Nigeria

Here I’m going to be answering most of the commonly asked questions about mini importation so that you won’t get confused.

1. Where To Buy Cheap Goods For My Mini Importation Business?

This has been one of the most asked questions about mini importation.

The following are the recommended online stores where you can order your goods.

1.Aliexpress.com

Aliexpress.com has become the leading destination for small-scale importers looking to buy goods at wholes prices from China.

Aliexpress is one of the subsidiaries of the Alibaba Group which dominates internet-based commerce in China.

In fact, in 2012, Alibaba’s portals handled sales of up 1.1 trillion Yuan ($170 billion), more than its competitors (eBay and Amazon.com combined). The Alibaba Group is estimated to be worth between $55 billion to more than $120 billion.

The Alibaba Group launched Aliexpress in 2010 as an online retail service made up of mostly small sellers offering products to online buyers. It has more than 2 major product categories and sells to registered users and buyers in more than 220 countries around the world. You can visit its homepage at

www.aliexpress.com

2. DHgate.com

DHgate.com is a business-to-business (B2B) e-Commerce website connecting China-based small and medium enterprises with buyers overseas.

The website is a fast trading marketplace where users can order Chinese-manufactured products directly through the site. The company has been in business since 2004 and is backed by investors KPCB, JAFCO, and Warburg Pincus.

It offers customer support through online chat, e-mail messages, and phone support. The website is primarily in English but is also offered in other popular languages spoken in Africa such as French and Spanish. DHgate offers a wide range of products and you can visit its home page at www.dhgate.com

3. ipmart.com

iPmart.com (started in 2001) is a huge wholesale market that ships products from China, the USA, and Malaysia. Unlike Aliexpress.com and DHgate.com which have a wide range of products, iPmart.com is focused on electronic gadgets like mobile phones, ga consoles, and their spare parts and accessories. If you’re interested in technology products, iPmart.com is the place for you. You can visit its homepage at www.ipmart.com

To start shopping and placing your orders on any of these websites, you need to sign up to become a registered member. Signing up or registering is usually very easy.

By clicking on the ‘ Join Free’ or ‘ Register ’ link at the t left/right corner of the home page, you will be sent to a registration page to complete a short form. All that is usually required is a Name, a valid Email address, and Password. If you prefer, you could sign up or register using your Facebook account.

As soon as your registration is complete, you can start shopping and adding items to your cart. When you’re ready to order, you will be led to the Payment page. T leads us to the next important step…

What are the Popular Products To Import?

In this 24th century, one of the most popular products to import is the mobile phone other products will be listed below

Smartphones

Hair extensions

Laptops

Wears

Kitchen equipment

How To Pay For Products?

Payments have been the reason why it is nearly impossible to start mini importation here in Nigeria but today through easy online payment systems, all the websites we mentioned above accept payment through a wide range of channels. You can do a simple bank transfer or pay with a credit/debit card. Yes, the same card you use at the ATMs can be used to make purchases on these websites.

You have to do is to make use of your ATM card most preferably a master card to pay for your products.

How Will The Products Get Delivered To You?

Some products on Aliexpress.com and DHgate.com come with a ‘Free Shipping’ service to many countries around the world. Free shipping is often delivered through China Mail Air Post or Hong Kong Mail services.

While the free shipping option is very attractive, it often takes the longest time to get your goods delivered to you; usually, between 15 to 60 days depending on the product and your location.

In addition to a longer delivery period, it may be impossible to track the location of your package all through the delivery process. If security and early delivery are not serious concerns for you, the money saved through free shipping can significantly increase the profit potential of the products you import when y sell them.

Other common options for delivery on Aliexpress.com DHgate.com and iPmart are DHL, EMS and Fedex.

Although these are much more expensive options, they usually deliver your products to you in a shorter time and allow you to track them on their way to you. However, using these options is very likely to reduce t profit potential of the products you order, unlike the free shipping option.

Tip: Whether you decide to use a free shipping option or a faster delivery service for your order, we advise that you include your mobile phone number in the shipping address you provide.

More often than not, you will receive a telephone call from the local post office or local DHL/Fedex office to pick up your items. Including a phone number may mean the difference between a delivered package and a lost one.

Here are full explanations about how to start mini importation here in Nigeria, if you have any questions or any contributions to make to the above write-up kindly drop them in the comment section below.