*Import & Export with Small Capital in Nigeria.

 *Import & Export with Small Capital in Nigeria – Complete Starter Guide* 🇳🇬

You don’t need ₦10 million to start. People start with ₦200k - ₦500k and scale. The key is: start small, 1 product, 1 country.

### *STEP 1: PICK YOUR MODEL – Don’t Import Everything*

With small capital, you have 3 best options:

Model Capital Needed Risk Example

**1. Micro Import** ₦200k - ₦800k Low Import phone accessories, cosmetics, fashion from China/Turkey and sell on WhatsApp/Jumia

**2. Export Agent** ₦50k - ₦200k Very Low Connect Nigerian farmers to foreign buyers. You take commission

**3. Drop-shipping Import** ₦0 - ₦100k Lowest Take orders first, collect payment, then import. No warehouse

Best for beginners: *Micro Import* or *Export Agent*

### *STEP 2: CHOOSE 1 PRODUCT TO START*

Rule: Don’t sell 20 things. Sell 1 thing that solves a problem.

*Good Import Products from China/Turkey/Dubai with small capital:*

1. Phone accessories: earbuds, screen protectors, phone cases

2. Beauty: hair products, perfumes, skincare 

3. Kitchen gadgets: air fryers, blenders

4. Fashion: Ankara bags, wristwatches, jewelry

*Good Export Products from Nigeria:*

1. Shea butter, ginger, sesame seeds, hibiscus to UK/USA

2. Crafts, Ankara fabric, beads to USA/Canada

3. Processed food: pepper soup spice, dried fish

Pick something light + high demand + not fragile.

### *STEP 3: LEGAL & DOCUMENTS YOU NEED*

You can start small without all, but get these ASAP:

1. *CAC Business Registration* – ₦30k - ₦50k. Makes you legit for banks and suppliers.

2. *Corporate Bank Account* – For dollar payments.

3. *TIN – Tax ID* from FIRS – Free

4. *SCUML Certificate* – If you’ll be doing above ₦1m. Free from EFCC.

5. *NEPC Registration* – Only if you want to export. ₦18k. Gives you export incentives.

### *STEP 4: HOW TO IMPORT WITH SMALL CAPITAL*

*Option A: China 1688/Alibaba – Most Popular*

1. *Find supplier*: Use http://Alibaba.com, http://1688.com, or agents in Alaba/Computer Village who consolidate.

2. *Order*: Start with 1 carton. MOQ is usually 50-100 pieces. Cost: ₦200k - ₦400k including shipping.

3. *Shipping*: Use freight forwarders like MallforAfrica, Herovator, DHL. Sea cargo is cheaper but takes 45 days. Air takes 10 days.

4. *Clearing*: Pay customs + duty at Apapa port or airport. Agent can do it for ₦50k-₦100k.

*Pro Tip*: Join a "consolidation" group. 10 people share 1 container to cut shipping cost.

### *STEP 5: HOW TO EXPORT WITH SMALL CAPITAL*

This is actually easier to start.

1. *Find product*: Talk to farmers in Benue, Kaduna, Ogun. E.g: Dried ginger ₦1,200/kg

2. *Find buyer*: Use Alibaba, Go4WorldBusiness, LinkedIn, or NEPC trade fairs. Buyers in UK, USA, Canada pay in dollars.

3. *Packaging*: NEPC has free packaging standards. Product must be NAFDAC approved if it’s food.

4. *Logistics*: Use DHL, FedEx, or cargo companies. They handle documents.

5. *Payment*: Ask buyer to pay 50% upfront to your domiciliary account before shipping.

You make money from the margin. Buy at ₦1,200/kg, sell at $6/kg = ₦9,000/kg

### *STEP 6: SELL & MARKET*

Don’t wait for goods to land before selling.

1. *WhatsApp/Instagram/TikTok*: Post videos of the product. "Pre-order: Airfryer landing in 3 weeks"

2. *Jumia/Konga*: List as seller

3. *Sky View*: List yourself as vendor for Ekpoma/AAU 😊

4. *Word of mouth*: Tell 10 people. They’ll tell 10 people.

### *STEP 7: MONEY & RISK MANAGEMENT*

1. *Start with ₦300k max* for your first shipment. Test the market.

2. *Never pay 100% upfront to supplier*. Use Alibaba Trade Assurance or pay 30%.

3. *Budget for hidden costs*: Shipping 30%, Duty 10%, Clearing 5%, Waste 5%

4. *Track everything* in Excel: Cost price, Shipping, Selling price, Profit.

### *3 BIG MISTAKES TO AVOID*

1. *Importing without checking demand* – Don’t import 100 pieces because it’s cheap. Import 20 and test.

2. *Using random agents* – Verify freight forwarders. Many scam people.

3. *Mixing personal and business money* – Open a separate account.

### *Your First 30-Day Action Plan*

*Week 1:* Pick 1 product. Register CAC. Join 3 supplier groups on WhatsApp/Telegram

*Week 2:* Contact 5 suppliers. Get quotes. Calculate total landed cost

*Week 3:* Collect pre-orders from friends/family/IG. Take 50% deposit

*Week 4:* Place order + arrange shipping

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*Capital Breakdown Example for ₦400k:*

- Goods: ₦200,000

- Shipping + Duty: ₦120,000 

- Clearing + Misc: ₦50,000

- Marketing: ₦30,000

- *Total: ₦400,000* 

Expected profit if you sell well: ₦150k - ₦250k

Which one do you want me to break down first: Import or Export*? 

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