The UK has thrown the doors wide open. Over 3,000 Nigerian products now enjoy duty-free access into their market.
But here’s the catch: only those who understand how to step in are reaping millions. Others are still waiting for miracles.
Let me break this down for you, step by step, on how you can start exporting from Nigeria to the UK even if you’ve never shipped anything abroad in your life.
Step 1: Decide what to export
Export is not about sending “anyhow” product abroad. You must sell what people want. Africans in the UK are hungry for home products. Think:
- Egusi, dried fish, palm oil, yam flour
- Ready-to-wear Ankara and native wears
- Skincare and natural hair products
- Spices and packaged snacks (chin-chin, puff-puff mix, suya spice)
Before you rush, confirm two things:
- If the product is allowed → gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad
- If it needs licence or labelling → gov.uk/import-controls
No guesswork. Know the rules first.
Step 2: Secure your identity numbers
Without the right papers, your goods won’t cross borders.
On the Nigeria side:
- Register with NEPC (nepc.gov.ng)
- Get NAFDAC/SON approval if it’s food or skincare
- Open a corporate bank account
On the UK side:
- Get your EORI number (free on gov.uk/eori)
These are like passports for your business. No EORI, no clearance.
Step 3: Find the right suppliers
Your suppliers determine your profit. Where to look?
- Markets like Balogun (Lagos), Onitsha, Ariaria (Aba)
- Family and friends in the trade
- Verified farmers, processors, cooperatives
- Export platforms like TradeDepot, ExportHub, Alibaba
Always ask for weight estimates because shipping is billed by kg, not value. If you don’t calculate weight, your profit may disappear before your goods even leave Apapa.
Step 4a: Use a cargo agent (best for starters)
If you’re new, cargo agents are your best bet. They’ll:
- Pick up your goods
- Ship them to the UK
- Clear customs
- Deliver to your UK warehouse or doorstep
Cost: about ₦5,000+ per kg (rates vary). This works well for small packages — dried foods, clothes, skincare, spices.
Step 4b: Do it yourself (advanced level)
If you’re moving big volumes, this route gives you higher margins. You’ll need a UK freight forwarder or customs broker. They’ll:
- File paperwork with HMRC
- Pay VAT and duties on your behalf
- Release goods for delivery
This is best for pallets or full containers. Complex, yes. But profitable.
The hidden secret: value addition
Here’s where the real money is. Stop sending things raw. Process and package. Look at this:
- Raw cashew → $1,200 per ton
- Roasted and packaged cashew → $10,000 per ton
- Raw cocoa → $2,500 per ton
- Chocolate bars → $15,000 per ton
Same crop, but packaging multiplies wealth. One creates a trader, the other creates a millionaire.
Step 5: Where to sell in the UK
Don’t just ship and sit. You must know how to sell.
- Target Africans in the UK via Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp groups
- Afro-Caribbean; stores, sell wholesale
- Online; Amazon, Etsy, eBay
- Food festivals and trade fairs; build loyal customers fast
This is how many successful exporters started small and grew big.
The money story (let’s do the maths)
Let’s count this money together.
- Smaller: 10kg dried fish bought ₦30k (~£25) → sells £120–£150. That’s 4–5x your money.
- Small: 100kg dried fish bought ₦300k → sells £3,000 (~₦5.6m).
- Medium: 1 container palm oil ₦4m cost → ₦15m return.
- Big: Mini-processing of spices, cocoa, cashew → millions yearly.
So whether you start with one bag or a full warehouse, there’s a seat for you at the table.
The deeper truth
“You shall lend to many nations and not borrow” – Deuteronomy 28:12.
Nigeria’s blessing is in what we produce. But the true wealth comes when we process, package, and export with wisdom.
Our yams, cashew, cocoa, and textiles are not just for local markets. They are tickets to generational wealth when handled well.
Export is not rocket science. It’s a simple system: find what people abroad want, package it properly, move it legally, and sell it smartly.
The UK market has opened the door. The question is will you enter or stand by the door and watch others cash out?
Remember, we don’t grow by learning alone. We grow by doing.
