We’ve all read the success stories of the lucky few who seem to be able to make money with ease just by moving products, but surely you can’t do the same? They must have had a whole host of lucky breaks, uniquely large networks to help them, and more resources than you could ever dream of. Right?
The truth is anyone can do it as long as they approach things the right way. To show you what we mean, we’re going to talk you through how to turn your dreams of a Nigeria to UK export business into reality. Let’s start with the question that’s bound to be on your mind…
Don’t I need a network of people in the UK?
Absolutely…not! While knowing people in other corners of the world certainly won’t slow things down, not knowing anyone will never hold you back. You don’t need to have any relatives in the UK, nor do you need to have any friends or loved ones there that can help set things up either. In fact, with the right approach, you never need to set foot in the UK which means you’ll never have to worry about the potential pitfalls of applying for visas and all the other paperwork. To get the business off the ground, you just need to start thinking.
What should I export?
This is the question that matters more than any other because it’s going to shape the future of your business from the moment you get started. You could export the same old few products as everyone else, taking some comfort in the fact that there’s clearly a market for them. While you’re going to sell a few, you’ll quickly find that you can be priced out of the market by a more established competitor. That’s certainly not what you want to hear when you’ve invested the same level of effort as they have, only to be left with a fraction of the profits in return.
Instead, think about how you can carve out a niche all of your own that you won’t have to share with anyone. You need something that people in the UK want and will be willing to wait for as you ship it, but you don’t want something so rare or niche that no one will have any interest in it. Take your time to get the niche right and everything else will start to fall right into place.
Below are the top 20 Hottest things You Can Export From Nigeria to the UK
- Cocoa
- Yam Flour
- Garri
- Bitter Cola
- Cola Nut
- Cashew Nut
- Ginger
- Yam
- Palm Oil
- Alligator Pepper
- Shea Butter
- Ground Nut
- Plantain
- Snail
- Palm Fruit is locally called Banga
- Walnut
- Nigerian Fabrics
- Scrap Iron
- Charcoal
- Hibiscus Flower
What do I do when I’ve found my niche?
Let’s think through an example: You decide you want to import authentic cooking sauces. It’s a great idea because people will always be looking for a taste of home or to try something from further afield, but where do you go from here?
You need to properly research and understand your market if you’re going to be able to turn this from a bright idea into a business that sets you up for life. Find out the size of the market, who your rivals and competitors are, what they charge, and make a judgment about how likely the products you choose are to stay in demand. It might sound tempting to jump on the back of a trend or craze, but before you know it things could have moved on without you. If you research your industry properly, you’ll always have half a dozen new products in the pipeline that other exporters will wish they knew about.
Is what I’m doing legal?
Good question! Exporting products can be a little tricky at first because you have to deal with the local customs and laws of both Nigeria and the UK. You also have to bear in mind any restrictions that your shipping company of choice will place on what they’re prepared to carry on your behalf.
We’re not putting this in here to scare you off and make you realize just what a huge job you’re taking on — it’s in here to make sure you don’t make a common mistake. Start by asking the shipping company if they can carry the products you have in mind, making sure to be as clear as possible at this stage about the destinations, origins, and quantities involved. From there you can connect with a legal expert who will be able to clarify anything you’re not sure about.
How do I find buyers?
It’s the natural question to ask once you have the basics covered, so we’re going to answer it for you.
The key is to understand the prices people in the UK are willing to pay and then factoring in your cost prices, shipping prices, and the profit you want to make when all is said and done.
Start by looking at the prices export businesses charge for similar products in the UK and then work backward from there. You can get an estimate of your shipping costs and purchase costs in Nigeria and then calculate your profit margin. If it’s tighter than you hoped, you’ll either want to consider charging more or looking at a different product. Don’t be put off if this takes a little longer than you first thought; this is one of the key steps to starting an export business that you really can’t afford to rush or skip over too fast.
How do I find the right shipping partner?
The good news is you’ve already found us right here at CARGONAIJA! We’re always ready and waiting to quote for custom shipments, advise on what we can and can’t carry, and provide any other input we can to get your business up and running.
To make sure that you experience the true benefits of having a partner you can trust, why not get in touch direct to speak to one of our experts today? They’ll be able to talk you through the steps involved in getting your first shipment over to the UK. Once you know that you’ll have a much clearer idea of what you need to do to get your business generating a profit.
Cargonaija is one of the leading companies that connect importers and Exporters in Nigeria to the rest of the world. Let us make your shipping experience a great one.
You can reach our helpful team on
07047962554 Nigeria
02039045521
Email:
info@cargonaija.com
Useful Link
