In the second quarter of 2023 alone, China’s import products to Nigeria reached an impressive N1,269.41 billion. This period witnessed a notable rise in Nigerian wholesalers who import products from Aliexpress and Alibaba, the largest online marketplaces worldwide. 

Unsurprisingly, the importation business is in high demand, driven by the availability of cheap products to import from China and sell in Nigeria. Moreover, there’s a popular demand to learn how to import goods from China to Nigeria. 

Suppose you are contemplating an importation business and want to know all the hot selling products to import from China. Follow this guide as we unveil the best products to import from China to Nigeria.

Best Products to Import

Introduction: Importing Products from China to Nigeria

China has been the largest exporter of goods worldwide since 2009. In 2022, the total exports from China amounted to $3.71 trillion. So you should learn the most profitable products to import from China to save time and resources.

Typically, the importation business involves transporting cheap products from China to Nigeria and selling them at higher prices. China produces many affordable and fast-selling products we use today. However, Chinco is synonymous with fake in Nigeria, so you must be careful when selecting hot products to import from China. 

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Check the product pictures and reviews, confirm the market value of the product, and find out how many sales they have had before purchasing. You should also know essential import terms, such as freight weight, shipping fee, customs fee, and delivery time.

Benefits of Importation Business in Nigeria

Although starting an importation business has many benefits, it has its downsides. It is best to start with some information and learn the rest on the job.

The following are the benefits of importing the most profitable products from China to sell in Nigeria.

Cheap Products 

The low product price is the most compelling factor that drives wholesalers to start importing products made in China to sell here. Some profitable products from China are relatively cheap. 

For example, in the image below, you will see an earring image from Aliexpress, where you can get earrings from N440. You can import them to Nigeria, where you should be able to sell them for N2000, which is N1600 profit. That’s life-changing for many Nigerians.

Cheap Products

Reduced Business Costs

If you want to start an online business in Nigeria on a low budget, importation may be a great idea since you won’t have to spend on production. However, you may have to consider extra fees like shipping, customs clearance, taxes, and transportation costs.

Also, producing these purchases locally is quite expensive compared to the import trade. A great option is to get customers to pay the shipping fee, but in this case, go for products with smaller weights because the shipping fee depends on it.

High-Profit Margin

Importing goods from China comes with great profit. However, calculating your profit after summing up all the fees is wise.

If your selling price remains at market value or is cheaper than the competition, then you are sure it’s good business. This is especially true if the product is in high demand and is helpful.

Wider Product Range

With an importation business, you can sell a wide range of products without limits.

Due to access to several manufacturers on different marketplaces, you can offer products from jewelry to sneakers. It’s up to you!

Most Profitable Items to Import From China to Nigeria

In the next part, we will review the most profitable items that you may consider importing from China to Nigeria. Some of the products include fashion items, furniture, appliances and more.

Read more below.

Fashion Items

The best items to sell or import and export are those people will always need. People will always wear clothes, shoes, jackets, coats, underwear, and shades. At the same time, some clothes are in higher demand than others. For example, selling coats to Nigerians won’t make sense because it doesn’t snow here.

If you are interested in supplying fashion items from China and want to start now, below are some lucrative ideas to try. The best part is you can start the business with a pre-order purchase.

See some ideas for everyday women’s and men’s clothing below:

CategoriesWomen’s WearMen’s Wear
TopsDresses, tees, blouses, shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, crop tops, swimwear, abaya, women’s hijabs, bodysuits, tanks & camis, coats & jackets, sweatersHoodies & sweatshirts, t-shirts, shirts, casual shorts, men’s sets, jackets
BottomLeggings, skirts, shorts, jeans, pants & capris, plus size clothes, plus size dresses, plus size t-shirts, plus size sets, plus size outerwear, prom dresses, evening dresses, African clothing, cosplay costumesbottoms, casual pants, sweatpants, cargo pants, jeans, harem pants, shorts
Underwearpanties, briefs, thongs, boyshorts, bikinis, hipsters, high-cut, seamless underwearboxers, singlets, briefs, trunks, boxer briefs, thongs, jockstraps
AccessoriesHandbag, necklace, gloves, hairpin, brooch, backpack, ring, wallet, belt, sunglasses, bracelet, earrings, scarf, watch, hat, headband, tote bag, anklet, choker, shawlWatches, ties, cufflinks, belts, sunglasses, wallets, suspenders, money clips, collar stays, hats, scarves, tie clips, pocket squares, bracelets, rings, lapel pins, gloves, keychains, umbrellas, socks

Some crop tops on AliExpress cost N470, leaving room for N1000 to N2000 profit. That’s impressive!

Fashion Items

Children’s Toys & Games

In 2022, the total requisite of Nigeria’s toys, games, and sports imports from China was US$10.91 million, per the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

Children’s Toys & Games

Given that Nigeria’s population remains ever-increasing and the production of toys in Nigeria is low, importing children’s toys from China is a good idea. The importation business of children’s toys will remain in demand as long as it is affordable.

See some of the most profitable children’s items below:

Baby ItemsChildren Toys
Dresses, clothing sets, family matching outfits, hoodies & sweatshirts, sleepwear & robes, children’s shoes, baby strollers, baby rompers, outerwear & coats, sleepwear & robes, t-shirts, outerwear & coats, jeans, hoodies & sweatshirts,  baby clothing sets, baby’s first walkers, baby accessories, feeding, bedding, baby teething items, baby & toddler toys, dresses, tops & tees, mother & baby items, maternity clothing, electric breast pumps, baby souvenirsremote control, RC helicopters, RC cars, RC quadcopter, action & toy figures, dolls, stuffed & plush animals, building & construction toys, blocks, model building toys, toys & hobbies, squeeze toys, diecasts & toy vehicles, game collection cards, stickers

Laptops, Mobile Phones & Accessories

Importing gadgets into Nigeria is quite tricky. If you want to start this business, you have to consider some factors, such as the weight of the products, as this will determine the shipping fee.

You also have to consider importing from suppliers that offer refund policies because there have been cases where customers purchase gadgets, and a few days after purchase, they become faulty. Other factors to consider are foreign exchange costs and customs duties.

Nigeria’s gadget business is highly profitable as the tech market is booming. Nowadays, everyone wants to become a tech bro/sis, so you should make sales on the products. Also, you don’t have to start with significant devices; you can sell popular computer parts and peripherals to help you make some profit. 

What kind of computer products can you import? You can start with smartphones like iPhones and Android phones, but you must find trustworthy suppliers. Also, you can sell smaller items like USB flash drives, i-watches, phone chargers, earpieces, earbuds, wireless mice, hard drives, and so on.

Laptops, Mobile Phones & Accessories

The earbuds in the image above sell for $0.69, which is about ~N700, meaning you can make huge profits from the business since several young people need one. You can earn profits between N2000 to N3000 if the product is good. 

Portable phone chargers and power banks are also great products to sell. The monthly search for portable chargers goes up to 224000 and 32,0000 on Amazon and Google, respectively, indicating the level of interest. They are relatively lightweight, so the shipping fee should encourage you to continue the business.

Furniture

What’s a Nigerian home without furniture? Furniture is another essential item that people need every day. Also, it’s the culture of Nigerian homes to have furniture to beautify it.

Furniture

The idea of importing furniture from China is beneficial. Still, it may be challenging due to the weight, but importing from China is cheaper than purchasing from manufacturers or wholesalers in Nigeria. Since 2004, China has become one of the largest manufacturers in the world, with over  50,000 furniture manufacturers.

Some ideas for profitable furniture items include:

Office FurnitureHome FurnitureChildren’s FurnitureLiving Room  and Dining FurnitureBedroom FurnitureKitchen Furniture
Office desksSofasKids bedssofa
wardrobeKitchen cabinets
Office chairsBedsStudy desks for childrenchairsDining sets
Filing cabinetsDining tables and chairstables
Conference tablesWardrobesdining chair and table

Consider importing and selling furniture like the rotating chair, which is relatively easy to move around. In the image below, one chair costs $5, equivalent to N5500. It’s an opportunity to make huge profits.

Auto Parts

Due to bad roads in Nigeria, many cars develop faults regularly, so importing auto parts in bulk and selling them to mechanical engineers is a great idea.

Some profitable auto parts include construction equipment, car batteries, recycling machines, fumigating machines, vacuum cleaners, farm implements, generators, generator parts and so on.

Security and Tracking Gadgets

Nigeria faces security challenges and increased crime rates that have left citizens looking for means to protect themselves. Also, there is a high rate of theft, which could be smartphones, vehicles, or laptops. People can now find stolen devices with GPS trackers and CCTV cameras

Sealing Machines

Importing and selling sealing machines in Nigeria is a large business, and you should budget at least N500,000 to start. Sealing machines are tools used to fill containers with liquids, powders, granules, and food items.

They can seal anything from pouches, paper bags, bottles, jars, cartons, and boxes, meaning your target customers are manufacturers.

Home & Appliances

More Nigerians would love to decorate their homes if they can afford it. The following are home items and appliances you can import from China.

Decorations and ArtsCelebrationsKitchen
fabric & sewing supplies, needle arts & crafts, scrapbooking & stamps, paint by number, home decor, wall décor, vases, figurines & miniatures, candles & holders, home textiles, bedding sets, blankets, sofa covers, carpetsevents & parties, balloons, artificial & dried flowers, wedding supplies, home storage, storage boxes & bins, holders & racks, kitchen organizers, household items, umbrellas, bathroom accessories sets, cleaning tools, dust coversbakeware, drinkware, kitchen tools & gadgets, tableware, garden & pets, cat supplies, furniture & scratchers, intelligent pet supplies, dog toys, furniture, living room furniture, office furniture, outdoor furniture, kitchen furniture

Household Utensils

These are items that people talk about when it’s time to eat. Everyone low-key loves a fancy cutlery set, and it would be quite profitable if your target is new families or newlywed couples. 

The following are great examples of household items you could sell to make large profits:

  • Cookware Sets;
  • Cutlery Sets;
  • Kitchen Knives;
  • Pots and Pans;
  • Utensil Holders;
  • Mixing Bowls;
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons;
  • Baking Sheets and Pans;
  • Dish Drainers;
  • Dish Racks;
  • Kitchen Storage Containers;
  • Trash Bins;
  • Water Filters;
  • Dinnerware Sets;
  • Glassware;
  • Mugs and Cups;
  • Serving Trays;
  • Salt and Pepper Shakers;
  • Tea Kettles.

Most of these items are sentimental, and you can make them more appealing by customizing them. This way, people can give it to their loved ones.

Household Utensils

Chemicals

Chemical importation to Nigeria is familiar as it has been happening for years.

But why is it essential to import chemicals to Nigeria?

  • Nigerians need chemicals to manufacture pharmaceuticals, fabrics, and textile products.
  • Chemicals are needed to produce fertilizers and pesticides to grow yielding plants.
  • They are needed in our scientific research and development. Specialized chemicals can help with laboratories, research institutions, and educational facilities.

Nigeria’s government already has procedures to follow before importing chemicals. You must have a National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) license. Aside from that, the product you want to import should have a Material Safety Data Sheet. 

In addition, a warehouse should be provided for the chemicals you import. Examples of chemicals to import are paraffin wax, zeolite, corn starch, glycerin, soda ash, and petroleum jelly.

Stickers

Stickers are cute, cheap, and artsy items that people love. On Amazon and Google, laptop stickers garnered 33K and 14K monthly searches, respectively. Water bottles and cute stickers have also generated 11k and 27k monthly searches on Google.

The best part about selling stickers is their small size and flat shape. It means you can import over 1000 stickers and only pay a smaller shipping fee than items on this list. They are used to personalize laptops, water bottles, and notepads, so you can also sell them to tech people, kids, and business owners who customize their products. 

You can also appeal to adults who love art and like to place stickers on everything they own. Find some customized stickers from Alibaba for businesses for $0.01 per sticker and sell them at a higher price here. 

Stickers

Selfie Sticks and Content Creation Tools

The creator economy owns the future of social media; therefore, starting an importation business of selfie sticks and lighting equipment would be great. Google search on Selfie Stick gets a whopping 24,000 monthly searches, indicating that people need it. 

This is a result of the development of smartphones that can capture sharp images and videos with the rise of social media. Tripods come in various shapes, from basic extendable rods with gimbals to more advanced types with Bluetooth controls and stabilization features.

You should go for products that have extra features, such as gimbal-integrated tripods or remote shutter buttons, to give you a competitive edge. Lightning equipment like LED and ring lights would appeal to makeup artists, nail techs, and content creators.

Hair and Hair Products

Given that Nigerians have natural and kinky hair, more people are looking for excellent hair care products for their hair. Not a day goes by when women don’t plait their hair or men don’t go to the barber’s house to style them. Therefore, it is a great market.

You can import the following hair and hair care products from China:

  • Hair care – shampoo, relaxer, hair straightener, conditioner, cutting comb and so on.
  • Hair – Synthetic hair (from artificial substances), mixed hair (human and synthetic hair), and 100% human hair (original human hair).

Of all three kings of faux hair, synthetic hair has the shortest life span because it is cheap and low quality; however, there are more quality synthetic hair. On the other hand, human hair is quite expensive and lasts the longest.

Depending on the supplier, you can get quality human hair for N50,000 and sell it at a higher price here in Nigeria.

Press on Nails

Most ladies either have several events to attend or don’t have the time to visit the salon. Therefore, they will need your press-on nails to glam themselves up for parties. 

The tricky pattern here is the different sizes of nail beds. If you can sort that out, you should succeed with the business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the shipping fee from China to Nigeria per kg?

Shipping from China to Nigeria costs about $7 per kg, depending on the exchange rate. Custom clearance also costs about N500 per KG.

How can I buy goods from China to Nigeria?

The best places China imports products to Nigeria include marketplaces such as Alibaba and Aliexpress. Both marketplaces consist of various Chinese manufacturers and suppliers who provide everything you need to know about the products.

How many hours is it from China to Nigeria by ship?

Importing goods from China to Nigeria by ship takes at least 36 days and 21 hours. The goods depart from Yantian (CNYTN) and get to Apapa (NGAPP), with ships leaving along that route every two to four weeks.