How to Start a Mini Importation Business in Nigeria (Step-by-Step)

 In today’s Nigeria, with unemployment rates on the rise and the cost of living constantly increasing, many people are looking for practical ways to earn extra income. One of the most profitable small-scale ventures is mini importation — buying goods at low prices from foreign suppliers (especially in China) and selling them in Nigeria for a profit.

Unlike the traditional importation business that requires millions of naira, mini importation can be started with as little as ₦50,000 to ₦150,000, depending on the products you want to import. Thanks to the internet, you can run this business from your phone or laptop without traveling abroad.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I start mini importation in Nigeria?” — this step-by-step guide will give you everything you need to know to get started.

Step 1: Understand What Mini Importation Is

Mini importation simply means buying goods in small quantities from overseas suppliers (mostly China, USA, or Dubai) and reselling them in Nigeria.

For example, you can buy:

• Phone accessories (earbuds, chargers, power banks)

• Beauty products (wigs, lashes, skincare)

• Fashion items (shoes, bags, watches, clothes)

• Household gadgets

These items are usually much cheaper abroad than in Nigeria. The profit comes when you sell them here, sometimes at 200%–500% markup.

Step 2: Choose a Profitable Product

Not every product sells well. To succeed, you need to pick items that:

• Are in high demand
•  Are lightweight (to reduce shipping costs)
•  Are not fragile or easily damaged
•  Solve a problem or are trendy

Examples of hot-selling products in Nigeria:

• Smartwatches and wireless earbuds

• Hair extensions and beauty kits

• Baby products (carriers, bottles, toys)

• Kitchen tools (blenders, choppers)

• Fashion accessories (sunglasses, bags, sneakers)

Tip: Always research demand. You can use Jumia, Konga, or even TikTok trends to see what people are buying.

Step 3: Find Reliable Suppliers

The backbone of your business is where you buy from. Trusted platforms include:

• Alibaba.com → Good for bulk purchases

• 1688.com → Cheaper than Alibaba but requires an agent (site is in Chinese)

• AliExpress.com → Best for beginners, easy to use, accepts debit cards

• DHgate.com → Good for small-scale importation

Pro Tip: If you’re new, start with AliExpress or use a procurement agent to avoid scams and make shipping easier.

Step 4: Create a Budget

Before placing any order, calculate:

• Product cost (how much the supplier charges)

• Shipping cost (air freight is faster but more expensive; sea freight is cheaper but slower)

• Clearing/customs fees (if needed)

• Profit margin (ensure you can sell at a higher price in Nigeria)

Example:

• Buy 50 phone chargers at $2 each = $100

• Shipping = $50

• Total = $150 (~₦220,000)

• Sell each charger at ₦3,500 → Revenue = ₦175,000

• Profit = ₦55,000

Step 5: Place Your Order

Once you find a product and supplier, the next step is to order.

For AliExpress and DHgate, you can:

• Pay with your Naira debit card (MasterCard or Visa)

• Use PayPal (if available)

For 1688, you’ll need a procurement agent who helps pay in yuan (Chinese currency) and ships to Nigeria.

Always:

• Read supplier reviews
• Start with a small test order
• Confirm product quality before buying in bulk

Step 6: Shipping Methods

There are 3 main ways to ship goods into Nigeria:

1. Air Freight (5–10 days) – Fast but more expensive, best for small lightweight goods.

2. Sea Freight (4–6 weeks) – Cheaper, best for bulky goods.

3. Express Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) – Very fast (3–7 days) but most expensive.

 Most mini importers use shipping agents in China who consolidate goods and send them in bulk to Nigeria at lower rates.

Step 7: Customs Duties and Clearance

If your goods are shipped via an agent, they often handle customs for you. But if you’re importing directly through DHL or sea freight, you might need to pay customs duties.

To avoid problems:

• Ask your supplier/agent if duties are included

• Avoid restricted items (drugs, weapons, expired products)

Step 8: Sell Your Imported Products

Once your goods arrive, it’s time to sell! You can choose:

• Offline: sell to family, friends, in shops, or local markets.

• Online: sell on Jumia, Konga, Jiji, or create an Instagram/WhatsApp store.

💡 Many Nigerians make big sales on WhatsApp status + Facebook Marketplace. All you need are clear product pictures and good pricing.

Step 9: Market Your Business

Marketing is what makes your products move fast. Some strategies:

• WhatsApp marketing: Update your status daily with product pictures.

• Instagram marketing: Use reels, hashtags, and influencers.

• Facebook ads: Boost posts with ₦5,000–₦10,000 to reach thousands of people.

• Word of mouth: Tell friends and ask them to refer customers.

Remember, packaging also matters. Customers love neat delivery.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

• Not researching demand before buying
•  Choosing heavy/bulky items that cost too much to ship
•  Ordering too much stock without testing
•  Falling for fake suppliers (especially on 1688 without an agent)
•  Not including shipping and customs fees in their profit calculation

Starting a mini-importation business in Nigeria is one of the smartest ways to earn money today. With the right product, supplier, and marketing strategy, you can build a profitable business even with little capital.

The most important thing is to start small, learn as you go, and grow gradually. Many successful entrepreneurs today began with just one carton of goods — and now run full import businesses.

So if you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to start, that time is NOW.