winkmart:
I still don't understand why people are not getting this importation business right, when I make 150% profit on my imports on a monthly basis.

I import on aliexpress and use free shipping, but I work with serious sellers that ship in under 2 weeks. I market my products before they arrive and once they arrive, I sell.

I only focus on WRISTWATCH and am making it big. I buy for 3500# and sell for 8000# sometimes

Check my SIGNATURE

Chukzyfcb:

This is not completely true! Yes, sea shipment is always cheaper, but those who use air cargo are concerned about SPEED OF DELIVERY! In some business like textile that I'm into; Before your stocks arrive by ship, people who used air would have sold at their own comfortable price before you come and put sand sand in their garri. And in business once you are the first in an area to get a NEW products before others, you will be the first to dictate the price!

smartdebiz:
To make things easier, buy from US and ship directly to Nigeria. No need to buy on Amazon, Ebay, etc. which do not ship most items to naija. I have discovered a website in the US where u can buy virtually anything and have them delivered right here in Nigeria. CBN policies does not affect your purchase, because they accept Bitcoin - meaning that you can buy any item regardless of price. Go here: www.overstock.com. Very cheap and competitive. Thank me later.

Vaxt:
coutonu market of life

Obynolee:


We are all saying the same thing, it is like that in textile because it is fashion,and I believe you're talking about new fashion, if the fashion has been in the market for some time,can you compit with ship guys?.When new item enters market it will be by air but as time progresses it will be by sea.We don't know what the op bought.

MRBrownJ:


such state of mind is the reason why they will remain at the bottom, while if they'd joined forces, they could buy more and get prices down

Obynolee:

No,everybody does it,it is just like asking dangote to tell you the secret of his business or asking coca cola the same question, they won't tell you all.That is the truth.Even you will do exactly, it is natural.

iMerchant:


You have raised a valid point but my challenges with most people especially those who start importation business after buying ebooks from someone who never practice the business they preach is lack of basic understanding of the business.

I do not claim to be an expert but surely am not a complete idiot and I do think you can learn one or two things from my foolishness if you are willingly to learn:

1. In importation business, you don't make money when you sell you do when you buy
2. It is obvious you don't do your due diligence before buying stuff from china because if you do, you will not end up buying stuff from china at a price more expensive than Lagos.
3. You basically from your post buy on impulse which is VERY BAD for any business especially when you are into importation business. Your consumer are suppose to buy from you on impulse not the other way round.
4. Stop buying generic goods at expensive price from china.
5. The infact that someone brainwashed you into believing that goods are cheap on 1688.com and Taobao doesn't mean the person is 100% accurate. Believe me when I say you can get some stuff cheaper on Aliexpress than 1688.com
6. Sir, except you are a contractor who buy stuffs for other to resell, you should NEVER EVER use EXPRESS shipping for goods you intend to resell. As a good business person, your aim should always be to reduce your cost of doing business not increase it.
7. If you do your homework very well cheaper doesn't necessary mean better quality in China. Except you import sub-standard goods from china you need not worry about the Lagos price if you have a product with superior quality. Before you say anything, I have sold hundreds of selfie stick nationwide at 7.5k each when other people selling at 1.2k are yet to sell 50 pcs. Quality beat price anyday anytime.
8. Before you buy anything from china please go to your source market in Lagos first thereby saving yourself unnecessary headache. If it is cheaper in Lagos with the same quality like the one you are buying from china, please do yourself a favour, Buy it in Lagos.


Thanks

unphilaz:
pls explain procedures and other info

stanvesco:

#smiles#
imagine if every1 could import; smile again; then who wud b d buyers...

Obynolee:

No,everybody does it,it is just like asking dangote to tell you the secret of his business or asking coca cola the same question, they won't tell you all.That is the truth.Even you will do exactly, it is natural.

Vicky2k:
One must not personally go to factories in china to get cheaper prices for FCL Orders. That can be also done online with the help of a chinese inspection agent and also for mini importation, using 3rd party shipping agents reduces cost too

Vicky2k:
One must not personally go to factories in china to get cheaper prices for FCL Orders. That can be also done online with the help of a chinese inspection agent and also for mini importation, using 3rd party shipping agents reduces cost too

erico2k2:

If your target is 2ok turnover then yes but if your target is 2 M turnover then it'd a good idea to go to China cos I discovered that quantity is a major factor in pricing in china.

Vicky2k:
.................
That's true though i have seen traders who buy container load of goods yet have not been to china in person to buy large quantites from factories

Vicky2k:
This CBN Policy on dollar transaction For those who have placed orders recently in 2016, Does any bank naira credit card still work online

muhammed001:
Hello everyone please I need your advice and encouragement on this mini importation business because i am really facing problems on this importation biz.


What I found out now is that the things I import are always cheaper at lagos

Because my first order was 30 watches and after buying them I found out that they are even cheaper in lagos than importing them because I want to sell them on wholesale price.

My next order was tummy slimming waist trainer for women. When I received the samples I said let me go and look for buyers that will buy it on wholesale before importing them
When I got there I found out that my price is higher than lagos price.
Even the price I bought it is higher than lagos price not to talk of adding profit.

please how can one really make money from this mini importation biz?
I am buying from 1688
Please help me with a solution to this problem or is there anything I am thinking wrong?

The goods are always cheap in china but when you calculate the total cost price of the goods and shipping fee, you will found out that is very expensive when compared to the price of lagos.

Then you will start saying that buying from lagos is even cheaper than buying from china. So now, what is the big deal on importing from china or uk/us when we can even get it cheaper in lagos?

Info marketers will always show you the prices of the goods in china but they will not include the shipping fee.
Sometimes the shipping fee can even multiply the cost of the goods * 4 and above.

Please your contributions are highly welcomed.

erico2k2:

Buying 20 ft cont aimer the owner must at a point been to China or the goods are standard.Some factories only do min of 50 per goods.

bobo65:



U don't have to goto China bro

U can know Someone that goes there n d person can help u with contacts

Or get an agent

erico2k2:

I want to buy goods of 15M. You are seriously asking me to out my faith on some persons in china to source goods,seriously? ?

phonesNgadgets:
Though I ship from US, but I believe I can still make a resourceful contribution.

For those of you who import from China, you will duff your hat,cap abi na beret you wear when you hear how much it costs us to import from US/Canada & Europe, if you are a mini-importer. In most cases, our selling prices are higher than those importing from China; but on a personal note, there is a way I go about it, which makes my prices be on the same level or even lower to that of China importers, and with added advantage of superior quality .

One thing is that I import high quality products ( Even those that were made in China meet US quality control standard) which gives me the confidence to add mark-up profit to my cost price and those who need the good won't resist it.

Secondly, I try as much as possible to import a lot of different goods at a time (even those things I need personally) to absorb the shipping fee. For instance if I buy footwear, watches, shirts; I may also buy radio,mini-speakers etc which have lesser weight and are lower in price. By the time the shipping fee is spread on all these items, the cost becomes lesser, which makes the unit prices of each good lesser to the local price or on a par.

Thirdly, I take my time to watch out for deal&offers on the websites I buy from. This gives me the advantage of buying quality products at a very good price. Bro, if no be dem shipping charges, customs duties and GTBank exchange rate, I for don acquire my own plot of land for Eko Atlantic City In this our importation biz.

But I bless Jah! We are doing fine. If I ain't doing fine, I won't get a local investor who has never met me face-to-face; and yet believed in my dream and invested in my business. This same importation business of course!

On a last note, I lay emphasis on the quality of the goods and the country of origin, which actually gives an edge.

smartdebiz:
To make things easier, buy from US and ship directly to Nigeria. No need to buy on Amazon, Ebay, etc. which do not ship most items to naija. I have discovered a website in the US where u can buy virtually anything and have them delivered right here in Nigeria. CBN policies does not affect your purchase, because they accept Bitcoin - meaning that you can buy any item regardless of price. Go here: www.overstock.com. Very cheap and competitive. Thank me later.

Dymaco:
yes I made the same mistake...

I bought female loafers for 7h and use 1300 to ship it. I later discovered that the shoes sell for N1800 wholesale price. I really cry because I need to sell off those shoes even below cost price.


but I just discover a trick......
buy a goods and use post office with free
shipping , then u go enjoy importation.
post office accept only 20kg and very cheap but 40 days of patience

skentelelady:
As for me I don't pay for shipping and my goods come in thru dhl

I ensure I buy an amount that qualifies for free express shipping by seller

The reason I don't buy in Lagos is because all their items are common due to mass production. When u buy from china, buy what isn't common that when u bring in to sell u can add more money since people will see Ur things being different and unique.

muhammed001:



This is exactly what I am talking about because this is the only way you can make money by importing from china.

The reason why lagos price is lower is because:

1 there are buying in a very large quantity

2 they have to travel to china meet the manufacturers and bargain price of production with them and the Chinese will sell it to them at a ridiculously cheap price and when the bring it to nigeria they will be selling it even cheaper than the amount we are spending to buy the same goods china.

So, when it comes to mini importation we are only buying in small quantities like 10, 20, 30. So you can't compare these quantity with the people that are buying in thousands or even millions in terms of prices and shipping cost they will get the goods.

So with this I don't think there is any big deal in mini importation because you can even get the goods cheaper in lagos-nigeria here.

I am talking generally on any goods or products any mini importer is importing.