Start an Import Business in Nigeria: A Practical Roadmap

Maybe you have a job in Lagos and you have watched traders bring in goods that sell fast. Maybe you already run a shop in Abuja or Port Harcourt and keep paying a middleman for stock you could source yourself. Maybe you have a friend abroad who says "just send the money and I will ship it". Whatever your starting point, you want to start an import business in Nigeria, and you want to do it without learning every lesson the expensive way.

Importing looks simple from the outside: buy abroad, ship, sell at home. In practice it is a chain of decisions, each of which can quietly go wrong. Choosing a product with regulatory problems, trusting an unverified supplier, forgetting storage, or not planning how you will sell are the usual causes of failure. The goods themselves are rarely the hardest part.

This guide gives you a practical order of work. It is written for beginners and small traders, stays at a stable, well-known level on rules, and is useful whether or not you ever use Comilmart.

Decide what kind of importer you want to be

Not all importers do the same thing. Choosing a model early shapes everything else.

Reseller. You buy goods and sell them to shops or consumers. This is the most common route.
Distributor. You hold stock and supply other retailers regularly, often for a particular brand or category.
Importer for your own business. You bring in materials, parts or equipment that your workshop, restaurant, school or farm uses.
Agent or sourcing consultant. You find goods for clients and manage the process for a fee. Needs more experience and trust.
Mini-importer. You buy small quantities, often through courier or consolidated freight, to test the market.

Be honest about your strengths. If you know a market well, such as phone accessories or school uniforms, begin there. Knowledge of customers is worth more than a clever supplier list.

Choose a product you can explain and sell

A beginner's product should meet most of these tests:

You know who will buy it and where.
You can describe it precisely, including size, material and standard.
It is allowed into Nigeria and does not need approvals you cannot get. Food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and electrical items are examples where NAFDAC, SON or another body may be involved.
It is not so fragile, heavy or perishable that handling becomes a daily crisis.
Customers buy it again, so one good supplier can serve you for a long time.
You can test demand cheaply, for example by showing samples to shops before ordering a big quantity.

Avoid choosing a product only because others are doing it. Crowded products can still work if you serve a niche, but you need a reason a buyer will choose you.

How to start an import business in Nigeria: set up the basics

You do not have to build a large organisation, but you do need some structure. At a stable level, think through:

Business identity. Many importers register a business name or company with the Corporate Affairs Commission. This helps with banking, trust and paperwork. A lawyer or registration agent can advise on the right form.
Tax registration. Speak to a tax adviser about registration and obligations that apply to your activity.
Bank account. A business account makes payments traceable. Ask your bank which services they provide for import transactions.
Import documentation. Imports normally involve a Form M processed through an authorised bank, and a clearing agent who handles customs. You do not need to master every detail, but you should understand the flow.
Product approvals. If your goods are regulated, find out what registration they need before you buy.

Rules and fees change, so confirm current registration and import requirements with a licensed clearing agent, your bank, a tax adviser and the relevant authorities before you act.

Find suppliers you can verify

Many beginners pick the first supplier who replies quickly. Slow down and compare.

Where to look:

Online platforms. You can browse suppliers by category, post a sourcing request describing your product, and receive quotations. On Comilmart, buyers can chat with suppliers, ask about MOQ, tiered pricing and lead times, and look for Verified badges that show a company went through a document review. What is available depends on what suppliers have listed.
Trade fairs and visits. Useful if you can travel, and they allow you to see factories and samples.
Referrals. Ask other importers who they use, then still verify yourself.
Local distributors. Sometimes it makes sense to buy first from a distributor while you learn.

Verification checklist:

Registered company name, number and address that you can cross-check.
Business licence and, for regulated goods, relevant certificates.
A bank account in the same company name.
Clear photos of real products and, if possible, a video call.
Willingness to send samples and answer detailed questions.
Past export experience to Africa.

Compare your sourcing options

Option	What it suits	Main caution
Buy locally from importers or distributors	Learning the market, small tests	Their margin is included
Order samples and small trial shipments	Testing quality and demand	Per-unit freight can be higher
Direct factory purchase, consolidated shipping (LCL)	Growing volume, mixed products	Longer lead time, shared container
Full container (FCL)	Regular, larger volume	Needs organised storage and sales
Online platform sourcing	Comparing many suppliers fast	Verify the business and test samples

You do not have to start with a full container. Many importers move from local buying to samples, then to small consolidated shipments, then to larger orders as sales prove demand.

Samples, specifications and the purchase agreement

Before bulk production, always see and test a sample. Check:

Does it match the photos and the written specification?
Is the material, finish, size and function right?
Does the packaging protect it and carry the labelling you need?
Would your customer accept it?

Then write a purchase agreement or order confirmation that includes:

Product description and specification, ideally with photos or drawings.
Quantity, unit price and currency.
Incoterm and named port, for example FOB with the loading port stated.
Payment terms and the account details, in the company's name.
Production and delivery time.
Packaging and labelling instructions.
Inspection rights, and what happens if goods do not match the sample.
Documents the supplier will provide.

A written agreement does not remove risk, but it gives you something firm to refer to if there is a dispute.

Payment: protect the money you send

Money sent abroad is hard to recover. Reduce your risk by:

Dealing only with verified businesses and paying into accounts in their registered name.
Avoiding the full amount upfront to a new supplier.
Linking balances to evidence, such as inspection results or shipping documents.
Using protected payment where available. Read the Trade Assurance page and the buyer protection pages on Comilmart to see how protected ordering is described in general terms, and read the actual terms before relying on them.
Keeping all messages, quotations and receipts.

Beware of requests to pay "urgently" to secure a price, or to move the conversation to private messages and a different account.

Shipping and clearing in outline

When production finishes, goods need to travel and be cleared. In outline:

Choose a freight forwarder to book space and handle transport. Compare itemised quotes.
Appoint a licensed clearing agent who will process documents and customs procedures at the port, such as Apapa, Tin Can or Lekki, or at the airport.
Prepare the documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, Form M, PAAR, insurance and any certificates required for your goods.
Insure the shipment against loss and damage in transit.
Track the cargo and arrange transport from the port to your warehouse or shop.
Inspect on arrival. Check cartons against the packing list and photograph damage straight away.

Share the invoice and packing list with your clearing agent before shipment, so they can flag problems early. Never under-declare or misdescribe goods. It risks seizure, penalties and your reputation.

Plan how you will sell before the goods land

Many beginners think about selling only after the container arrives. Plan beforehand:

Who are your first customers, and have they seen the product?
Where will you store the goods, and is it dry, secure and accessible?
How will you price them once you know your total landed cost, including freight, clearing, transport and storage?
Will you sell wholesale, retail or both?
How will you collect payment and manage credit to customers?
How will you handle returns and complaints?

Keep your personal money and your business money separate, and record every cost.

A worked example in words: Start an Import Business in Nigeria

Imagine a young entrepreneur in Ibadan who has been selling phone cases and chargers on commission. She notices that customers ask for particular styles and wants to import directly.

She writes down the products and the specifications, including connector types, packaging and branding. She talks to her clearing agent early to find out whether any of the items need approvals, and adjusts the range accordingly. She posts a sourcing request, compares quotations from several suppliers and verifies their company details.

She orders samples from two suppliers, tests them with real customers, and chooses one. She agrees a small first order on FOB terms with payment tied to inspection and documents. She shares the draft invoice and packing list with her agent, insures the shipment, and arranges storage and her first buyers before the goods arrive. After the shipment sells, she reviews what worked, tidies the process and reorders the best-selling lines.

Mistakes that sink new importers

Importing something regulated without checking approvals first.
Paying a stranger because the price looks unusually low.
Skipping samples and inspection.
Ignoring packaging, labelling and carton details until after production.
Ordering a bigger volume than you can store or sell.
Treating freight and clearing as afterthoughts.
Not keeping records.

What to do first this week: Start an Import Business in Nigeria

Choose one product and write a one-page specification.
Ask a clearing agent whether the product is allowed and what documents apply.
Shortlist three suppliers and verify their details.
Request quotations and samples.
Start a simple spreadsheet for costs and customer enquiries.
Show the samples to potential customers before you commit to an order.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to start an import business in Nigeria?

Requirements depend on what you import and how you operate. Many importers register a business and work through a licensed clearing agent and an authorised bank. Confirm what applies with the relevant authorities.

What is the easiest product to import for a beginner?

There is no single answer. Durable, non-regulated goods you understand well and can test with customers are usually easier than food, drugs or electricals that need approvals.

Can I import without travelling abroad?

Yes. Many importers work with suppliers online, check company details, request samples and use a freight forwarder and clearing agent. Travel can help but is not always necessary.

What is Form M and do I need it?

Form M is an import application processed through an authorised bank in Nigeria, and it is part of the standard import process for many goods. Your bank and clearing agent can explain how it applies to your shipment.

How do I avoid losing money to fake suppliers?

Verify the company and bank account, order samples, use written agreements, avoid paying everything upfront and prefer protected payment where available.

Next step

If you are ready to start an import business in Nigeria, create a free buyer account, browse suppliers by category and post a sourcing request to compare quotations. For more practical reading, visit the learning centre.