Skip to content
Omni SourceCoy · General Trading
Prices in

Free guide · 9 steps

From idea to inventory in nine steps

  1. 1

    Choose a product and test demand locally

    Start with your customers rather than a supplier's catalogue. Look for products you know already sell locally, check how many sellers offer them and at what prices, and favour items that are light, compact and durable for your first orders.

  2. 2

    Calculate your landed cost and target selling price

    Pricing on the supplier's price alone is the most common mistake new importers make. Add shipping, insurance, duties, levies, clearing, warehousing and transport, then work out a selling price that protects your margin before you commit.

  3. 3

    Find and shortlist suppliers

    Decide which market suits your product: China for volume and customisation, Turkey for clothing and home goods, Dubai for electronics and smaller quantities, or the region for shorter supply chains. Build a shortlist of several suppliers so you can compare.

  4. 4

    Vet suppliers and request samples

    Separate genuine manufacturers and wholesalers from middlemen and scammers before you send money. Verify registration and trading history, ask for documents, and order a sample before any large quantity.

  5. 5

    Negotiate terms and place the order

    Agree price, minimum order quantity, payment terms and a written quality specification. For a first order, pay a deposit rather than the full amount, and consider a third-party inspection before the balance.

  6. 6

    Arrange shipping and insurance

    Compare air freight, sea freight, consolidated shipping and courier on timeline, cost and risk, not price alone. Insure the goods in transit and make sure the delivery terms are clear.

  7. 7

    Prepare documents and work with your clearing agent

    Check early whether your product is regulated and needs approvals or permits. Gather the commercial invoice, packing list, transport document and anything else your clearing agent needs, so the goods are not held at the port.

  8. 8

    Receive, inspect, store and sell

    Inspect the goods on arrival against the order and record any problems straight away. Store them safely, then price and sell using the landed cost you calculated.

  9. 9

    Track stock and plan reorders

    Track stock levels and sales velocity so you reorder best-sellers in good time, allowing for supplier lead times, and avoid tying up cash in slow stock.