Let’s be honest — ₦250,000 may not be enough to rent a small shop in Lagos or start a big physical business.
But if you use that same ₦250k wisely, it can open the door to something that has changed many Nigerians’ lives — Mini Importation.
Mini importation is one of the most profitable online businesses you can start today with low capital, little experience, and a smartphone.
And the best part? You don’t need to travel abroad, rent an office, or import containers.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to start a mini importation business in Nigeria with ₦250,000 or less, step-by-step.
What Is Mini Importation?
Mini importation simply means buying small quantities of goods (in bulk) from foreign countries like China, Turkey, or the UK at cheap prices — then reselling them in Nigeria at a higher price for profit.
You’re not importing containers; you’re importing in small but profitable quantities.
For example:
You can buy a wristwatch for ₦1,000 from China and resell it here for ₦7,000.
Or buy a pair of sneakers for ₦5,000 and sell for ₦18,000.
That’s mini importation — small capital, big margin.
Why Mini Importation Is a Smart Move Right Now
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Low Start-up Capital: You can start with as little as ₦100k – ₦250k.
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No Warehouse Needed: You can run everything from your house or even your phone.
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Dollar Advantage: You buy cheap in foreign currencies, sell high in naira.
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Endless Product Opportunities: There’s a massive range of products to sell — fashion items, gadgets, beauty products, accessories, etc.
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Nigeria’s Buying Culture: Nigerians love imported products — from iPhone chargers to shoes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Start Mini Importation With ₦250k
Step 1: Pick a Profitable Product Niche
Don’t rush to import random items.
Start by researching what’s currently in demand — things people are buying consistently.
Here are some hot product categories in Nigeria right now:
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Fashion accessories (watches, sunglasses, sneakers, belts)
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Ladies’ handbags and wigs
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Kids’ wear and school items
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Home gadgets and phone accessories
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Health and beauty products
Pro Tip: Pick lightweight products that are easy and cheap to ship.
Step 2: Find Reliable Suppliers
The easiest and safest way to source products is through trusted websites like:
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1688.com (cheapest, Chinese language)
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Alibaba.com (wholesale platform)
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AliExpress.com (retail version, great for small quantities)
If you’re new, start with 1688.com — that’s where most Nigerian importers buy from.
You’ll need an agent to help you buy and ship your goods from China to Nigeria (since 1688 doesn’t accept Naira or ship directly).
Step 3: Get a Reliable Agent in China
Your China agent acts as your middleman — they help:
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Buy the product on your behalf
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Inspect quality before shipping
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Consolidate items from different suppliers
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Ship to Nigeria
A good agent can make or break your business.
You can find verified ones on Facebook importation groups or referrals from other importers.
Estimated Agent Fee: ₦3,000 – ₦10,000 per shipment (depending on volume).
Step 4: Calculate the Total Cost Before You Buy
This is where most beginners make mistakes.
Before you place any order, calculate your total cost to avoid losing money.
Example Breakdown:
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Product cost: ₦50,000
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Shipping fee: ₦35,000
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Clearing/customs: ₦10,000
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Agent fee: ₦5,000
Total landed cost = ₦100,000
If you sell your goods for ₦180,000, you’ve made ₦80,000 profit.
Always know your cost before ordering — so you can price correctly.
Step 5: Ship Your Goods to Nigeria
There are two main shipping options:
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Air Freight: Fast (5–10 days), but a bit expensive.
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Sea Freight: Slower (3–5 weeks), but cheaper.
If your items are small and light (like watches or shoes), air freight is better.
If you’re shipping bulky items (like home gadgets or clothes in large quantity), sea freight is the smarter choice.
Average Shipping Cost: ₦6,000 – ₦9,000 per kg (air freight).
Step 6: Market and Sell Your Products
After your goods arrive, it’s time to sell.
The most effective ways are:
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WhatsApp marketing: Post status updates, join local groups, and use broadcast lists.
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Instagram & Facebook: Create business pages, post product photos, and run paid ads.
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Jumia & Konga: List your items on popular e-commerce platforms for wider reach.
Pro Tip: Invest at least ₦20k–₦30k from your ₦250k in Facebook ads — that’s how your products reach the right buyers fast.
Step 7: Reinvest and Grow
Don’t eat your first profit.
The real money in mini importation comes from scaling — buying more, diversifying products, and negotiating lower prices with suppliers.
If you start with ₦250k and make ₦100k profit, reinvest ₦300k in your next batch.
Within 3–4 months, your capital could grow to ₦1 million or more.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
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Buying what you like instead of what sells.
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Not checking product quality or reviews.
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Using unreliable agents.
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Failing to calculate the real landed cost.
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Selling without marketing strategy.
Avoid these and you’ll stay ahead of 80% of new importers.
Final Thoughts
Mini importation is not a get-rich-quick scheme — but it’s one of the most practical, low-risk online businesses in Nigeria today.
With ₦250k, you can start small, learn the ropes, and grow gradually into a full-scale importer.
So instead of letting your money sit idle in the bank or wasting it on flex, invest it in something that can multiply.
Because the truth is:
The earlier you start importing, the earlier your money starts working for you.