Import Goods From China to Nigeria: Step-by-Step Guide

You want to import goods from China to Nigeria, and you have a product in mind, maybe phone accessories for your shop in Ikeja, building materials for a client in Abuja, or plastic goods for a stall in Onitsha. You have seen the same item in Lagos markets at a price that leaves little room for profit, and you suspect the factory price in China is far lower. The question is how to move from that suspicion to a container that arrives safely, with the right goods inside and no surprises at the port.

Many Nigerian buyers learn the hard way. They send money to a stranger on social media, receive a lower grade than the photos showed, or discover at Apapa that the paperwork was incomplete. None of this is inevitable. Avoiding them is mostly about doing things in the right order and writing things down.

This guide walks through the full journey: choosing what to buy, finding a real supplier, testing samples, agreeing terms, paying safely, shipping and clearing. It is written for first-time and small-volume importers, and it is useful whether or not you ever use Comilmart.

Define the product before you contact anyone

Most failed imports begin with a vague idea: "I want to bring in clothes" or "I want electronics". Factories cannot quote on that. Before you contact anyone, write a one-page product brief.

Include:

The exact product name and where it will be used.
Material, size, colour, capacity, voltage or other key specifications.
The quantity you can afford for a first order, and the quantity you hope to reach later.
Packaging and labelling you need, including whether you want your own brand.
The standard your market expects, for example whether a regulator in Nigeria may need to approve it.

That last point matters. Food, drugs, cosmetics, electrical goods and some other categories are controlled by Nigerian agencies such as NAFDAC and SON. A product that is perfectly legal in China may need registration or conformity checks before you can sell it here. Find that out before you pay a deposit, not after the goods are on the water.

Where to find genuine Chinese suppliers

There are several routes, each with trade-offs.

Route	Good for	Watch out for
Online B2B marketplace	Comparing many suppliers, chatting, quotations, protected payment	Check verification status and read listings carefully
Trade fairs in China	Seeing products and meeting factories in person	Travel cost, visa, pressure to order on the spot
Sourcing agent in China	Language help, factory visits, inspection	Agent fees, and you must trust the agent
Social media contacts	Quick answers	Hard to verify, no protection if things go wrong
Local importers and wholesalers	No import risk	Higher price, since they have already added their margin

A marketplace is a sensible starting point for a small buyer because you can compare suppliers without travelling. On Comilmart, suppliers can be browsed by category, and buyers can post a sourcing request through the RFQ page and receive quotations. Listings can show MOQ, tiered pricing, lead times, specifications and certifications, and companies that pass the review process receive a Verified badge. What is available depends on what suppliers have listed, so treat it as one good option and compare it with others.

Manufacturer or trading company?

Many sellers online are trading companies, not factories. That is not automatically bad: a trader can combine several products into one shipment and handle small orders. But a factory can usually offer a lower price on larger volume and change the product design. Ask directly: "Do you manufacture this yourselves? Can you send a photo of your production line?" A real factory will not mind.

How to check a supplier before you trust them

Verification is the step that most separates safe imports from expensive lessons. Work through this checklist:

Ask for the company's registered name and registration details, and check that the name on the quotation, invoice and bank account all match.
Look for a verified status on the platform, and see whether the company has relevant certificates for the product.
Ask for a video call and a walk-through of the factory or warehouse.
Request photos and short videos of the actual stock, with something in the frame such as today's date written on paper.
Read the listing for consistency. A supplier who sells shoes, solar panels and baby products with no link between them deserves extra questions.
Be wary of any request to pay into a personal account.

Take your time. A genuine supplier expects questions and answers them patiently.

Samples before bulk, always

Never place a large order from photos alone. Order a sample, or a small trial lot, and judge it against your written brief.

When the sample arrives, test it properly. Use it, wash it, charge it, drop it, open the carton and read the label. Compare it with what was promised on the listing, line by line. If you plan to sell under your own brand, ask for a sample with your branding and packaging, not just a generic one.

Be clear that a sample is not always free. Suppliers often charge for the item, for express courier, or both. Ask what the sample cost will be and whether it can be credited against a later bulk order. Keep the sample: if the bulk goods look different, you have a physical reference to point to.

Agree the terms in writing

Once the sample is approved, turn the conversation into a purchase agreement or at least a detailed proforma invoice. It should state:

Full product description and specifications, matching the approved sample.
Quantity, unit price and the currency.
Packaging, carton size and labelling.
Production lead time and the date by which goods must be ready.
Payment schedule, for example a deposit before production and the balance after inspection.
The Incoterm, explained below.
What happens if goods are defective or late.

Incoterms in plain language

An Incoterm says who pays for and carries the risk of each leg of the journey.

EXW (ex works): you collect from the factory door. You manage everything in China, which is hard for a first-time buyer.
FOB (free on board): the supplier gets the goods loaded onto the ship at the Chinese port. You pay the sea freight and everything after.
CIF (cost, insurance and freight): the supplier pays freight and insurance to the Nigerian port. You pay port charges and clearing.
DDP (delivered duty paid): the supplier says they will deliver to you with duties paid. It sounds easy, but ask who actually clears the goods in Nigeria and how the paperwork is handled.

For many small importers, FOB with your own freight forwarder gives the most visibility. For very small orders, a forwarder offering door-to-door service may be simpler. Ask for the quote to be broken down so you can compare like with like.

Pay in a way that protects you

The biggest fraud risk in importing is payment. Bank transfers cannot easily be reversed, and once money has left your account, you have little leverage.

Safer habits:

Pay only into a company account that matches the supplier's registered name.
Split payment: a deposit to start production, the balance only after you have seen inspection photos or a report.
Keep every chat, quotation and receipt.
Where possible, use a protected payment service. Comilmart has a Trade Assurance page and a buyer protection page that describe how orders placed through the platform are supported; read them to understand what applies to your order.
Be suspicious of a sudden change in bank details by email or chat. Confirm by a call to a number you already trust.

Also think about how you will actually send the money. Nigerian importers often need foreign currency for the supplier. Speak to your bank about their process for import payments, and confirm what documents they need from you.

Shipping: sea, air or courier

Choose the mode by weight, value and urgency.

Mode	Best for	Trade-off
Sea freight (LCL)	Smaller loads shared with other importers	Cheaper per unit, slower, and consolidation adds handling
Sea freight (FCL)	A full container of one importer	Needs enough volume to justify
Air freight	High-value, light, urgent goods	Expensive for heavy items
Express courier	Samples and very small orders	Highest cost per kilo

Most bulk goods from China to Lagos travel by sea and arrive at Apapa or Tin Can Island, though other Nigerian ports exist. Ask your forwarder which port and terminal suits your cargo. Request the shipping documents early: commercial invoice, packing list, and the bill of lading, which is the document that lets you take delivery of the cargo.

Check packaging as well. Cartons should be strong enough for stacking and humidity. Fragile and liquid goods need extra protection. Ask the supplier to photograph the loading of the container.

Clearing cargo when you import goods from China to Nigeria

Clearing is where inexperience costs the most. In general terms, Nigerian importers work with a licensed clearing agent who handles the customs process, including documents such as Form M and, for many shipments, the pre-arrival assessment report known as PAAR. Duties, levies and port charges apply, and the agent calculates them from your invoice and the classification of the goods.

Under-declaring the value of goods to save money is a common temptation and a serious risk. Declare honestly and use consistent figures across invoice, bill of lading and payment records.

Important: import rules, duties, fees, restricted-item lists and documentation requirements change often. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed clearing agent, your bank, and the relevant Nigerian authority before you order. Nothing in this article is legal, tax or customs advice.

A worked example in words

Imagine a shop owner in Surulere who wants to import rechargeable desk fans. She writes a one-page brief with voltage, battery type, colours and the packaging she wants. She posts a sourcing request, receives quotations from several suppliers, and shortlists three. She asks each for a video call, compares certifications, and orders one sample from two of them.

One sample fails the charging test, so she drops that supplier. The other passes. She checks with a clearing agent whether any Nigerian approval is needed for electrical items and how the goods would be classified. She then negotiates a purchase agreement with a deposit, an inspection before the balance and FOB terms, and books a freight forwarder. When the container arrives, her agent clears it and she checks the cartons against the packing list before trucking them to her shop. The first order is modest, and she increases it only after the first batch sells.

Common mistakes to avoid

Ordering a large quantity before testing a sample.
Paying the full amount upfront to a new supplier.
Not asking about Nigerian product approvals until the goods are at sea.
Comparing prices without comparing the Incoterm, packaging or material.
Using an unlicensed clearing agent because the quote was low.
Ignoring insurance on high-value cargo.
Skipping inspection to save a small fee.

What to do first this week

Write your product brief.
Ask a clearing agent which approvals and documents your product category needs.
Create a buyer account and browse suppliers in your category.
Shortlist three suppliers and request quotations.
Order samples from the best two.
Compare freight options with a forwarder, using the supplier's carton details.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need to import goods from China to Nigeria?

It depends on the product, order size, freight mode and duties, and we cannot give a reliable figure. Ask suppliers for quotations and ask a forwarder and a clearing agent for a full landed-cost estimate before you commit.

Is it safe to pay a Chinese supplier by bank transfer?

It is risky if the supplier is unverified, because transfers are hard to reverse. Verify the company, pay only into an account in its registered name, split payments around inspection, and use protected payment options where available.

Do I need a licence to import into Nigeria?

Requirements depend on who you are and what you bring in. Many importers use a licensed clearing agent and need documents such as Form M. Confirm the current rules with your agent, bank and the relevant authority.

How long does shipping from China to Lagos take?

It varies by mode, season and port conditions, so avoid promises from anyone. Ask your forwarder for a realistic range and add time for production, inspection and clearing.

Can I import a small quantity?

Often yes. Some suppliers set a minimum order quantity, while others accept small trial orders at a higher unit price. Consolidated sea freight or courier may suit small loads.

Next step

Ready to import goods from China to Nigeria with a clearer plan? Create a free buyer account, browse suppliers by category, or post a sourcing request and compare quotations. You can also read about Trade Assurance before you place your first order.