China has taken the top spot in the world’s production of consumable products. For the smart business owners, now is the opportunity to become an importer. Not only does China produce 27% of the world’s products, but it is also practically the largest and fastest-growing economy in the world.

Many business owners like you rely on China to start and keep their businesses running. Products like clothing, electronics, agro-materials, industrial machines, etc are fast-moving products and are very popular in the whole world.

If you are new to the business of importation, the process of buying your products from China can be overwhelming because, despite the advantage of the internet in the importation businesses, some things can still go wrong if you don’t learn the ropes or leverage the expertise of procurement companies like Niayuan Mart.

Before we delve into the complete guide, let’s introduce ourselves. Naiyuan Mart is a first-class e-commerce and supply chain management company incorporated in June 2018. Registered both in China and Nigeria.

Our services include item sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, secured payments, warehousing, and freight services.

Our mission as an organization is to lead and shape the future of e-commerce between China and Nigeria by bridging the gap between manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and consumers to foster economic growth and prosperity. Read more about us here

Now before you go ahead and buy your next product from China, make sure that you have all the Is dotted and all the Ts crossed. Here is a breakdown of the complete guide on what to do before you buy your next product from China.

1. Understand your country’s importation policies

Not all products are liable to be imported freely. Some products require that you get extra documents and certifications. Products like pharmaceuticals and food while some products like bagged cement, dead birds, etc are prohibited from being imported. Doing this will save you a lot of stress, especially not being on the wrong side of the law. You can find more about prohibited products import here

2. Know where your want to buy from

Investing in an importation business takes a lot of guts, and you need to be extra careful so you don’t fall victim to fraud. There are millions of suppliers on many Chinese websites and it is easy to fall prey to fraudsters because of the language barriers, payments, and other factors. This is why it is important to do a background check on suppliers and manufacturers before buying from them. Not all Chinese commerce websites are easy to buy from. Here’s a helpful article on how to find verified suppliers and manufacturers in China

3. Familiarize yourself with your product, industry, and suppliers

It is not enough to just launch your business. As a business owner you need to be knowledgeable in your industry trends, the problem your product solves as well as knowing the best suppliers in your industry. This is why it is important to liaise with reputable procurement companies like Niayuan Mart to help you understand suppliers’ terms and conditions as well as the current trend in your industry. This will help you make informed decisions about your business strategy. It is an ideal thing to do before you go ahead to buy your product.

4. Have a trusted procurement company that you can partner with

Why it is important to partner with a trusted procurement company is because your business needs first-hand expertise, solutions, and advice when it comes to buying from China. This makes up for your physical absence in China. You need a partner you can trust and rely on when it comes to supplier verification, payment for products, warehousing, local inspection, and more importantly reliable and safe shipping process for your products. The good thing about partnering with Niayuan Mart is that your goods are safely packed and shipped. 

This article will help you to find the best freight forwarder for your business. You can also check out our other services above 

5. Effective documentation

Preparing your documents makes it easy to clear your products once it is shipped.  To receive clearance for goods imported into Nigeria, you must present a Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice Exit Note, duly completed Form ‘M’, Packing list, Single Goods Declaration, and a Product Certificate. Naiyuan Mart can help you secure and process all documents thereby helping you avoid the stress of having to process these documents yourself. There may be extra documents you need to provide such as license etc especially if your business is within pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, etc.

6. Understand freight forwarding for your products

Freight forwarding is the process of shipping your goods from China to Nigeria. As a business owner, you need to understand different shipping methods, policies, and rates. This helps you make pricing decisions, build customer relationships and help you set actionable goals for your business. However, Bad exchange rates cannot stop your business. With Naiyuan Mart, you have four shipping options to choose from. These are Air Cargo, Sea Cargo, Express Cargo, and Combined Cargo (Air & sea).

7. Have a marketing strategy before your goods arrive

The best way to sell your products is to sell it before it arrives. Mapping out a strategy helps people be aware of your products. It helps whet the appetite of your customers and position your brand. This strategy works hundred percent of the time! Check out this article where we talked about How to grow your importation business online

8. Set a business goal

Where do you see your business in the next 6 months? What growth do you constantly foresee for your business? Your answers to these questions help you shape your business goals. Using the SMART goal analysis, you can take your business to the next level.

If you have any questions about how to order your next product from China, drop it below as a comment and we will respond. You can also chat with our procurement team on WhatsApp