Hey, this is Ken Steve here.

A certified importer, digital marketer, Procurement agent, e-commerce expert, and the managing director, at Kimp Import-Export Limited (formally known as Kimp Global Services)

There’s no doubt that importing directly from manufacturers is one of the best business one can start with little or no capital and grow very big in a few months.

This remains as long as these goods are bought directly from the manufacturers and not wholesalers.

For instance, a power bank sold from 1688 at N6000 is sold for N13000 on Alibaba, while it is sold for N36000 in Nigeria.

That’s not supposed to surprise me because 1688 is a site for local Chinese manufacturers, while Alibaba is an international trading platform.

However, I know of many people who jump into this business with little or no proper knowledge, face a series of challenges and jump out with huge losses or loans. 

Based on my knowledge as a procurement agent, if you don’t have access to manufacturers, or own an Alipay account, then I can merely say you are not an importer but rather buying through a distributor known as the agent.

I realize that our charges, exchange rates, and interest is what causes most of our clients to complain of little or no profit.  

There’s no doubt that for most of the goods we tend to make more profit than those who claim to be importing (through us agents) since we have access to communicate directly with suppliers and enjoy huge discounts, benefit from the exchange rate difference as well as the procurement fee.

I passed through such stages as; “take the links and buy for me” OR “Help me pay my suppliers” as well, and I know all the pains involved.

The charges are always outrageous and crazy, with delays attached to it and loss of goods in some cases