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Used books is one of the fastest selling item in Nigerian market today due the huge increase in population. Nigerians are well read people and you see that from the level of interest they show in anything book. A full container load of used books can be sold within days and the profit margin is highly attractive.

One great thing about used books importation is that they are sourced in countries like UK and USA for almost next to nothing. A friend of mine one told me that he gets a 40ft full container load of used books of different kind for less than $2,000 (Less than N300,000) and sell in Nigeria for over N700,000 within days, making over N400,000 profit. Sometimes he get this books as philanthropy and still sell and make money.

Used_Books
Pile of Used Books Ready For Exportation

 If you are an outsider to this business, you wouldn’t believe anyone can make money with, but inside and you will be marveled at the enormous wealth people are making in this business. Once you have your contacts and logistics in place, you are good to go in this business, making millions of naira on regular basis.

You see, Nigeria is one the most blessed nation of earth for so many reasons – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Despite the said ugly state of our education system, we still come out on top on many things related to education. You remember the defunct Zain School Challenge for Universities across African countries where Zain Mobile is in operation. Nigeria participated three times, won it once and game second once before Zain pulled out of Nigerian.

Now, back to our business. What exactly do you need to put in place to get you started in Used book business as quick as possible? Well, the requirements are not that too much, though maybe to some people. I think this business may be more fitting for Nigerians in Oversea. So, if you are one – get ready for business as I quickly run down the things you need to have put together.

1. Secure a Warehouse — Not necessarily a giant warehouse, just a large shop except you intend to import on a super large scale. The warehouse must be easy to access to the retailers who are your target customers. Make sure it is specious enough to accommodate your books and customers who will struggling most of the time to select the best books especially whenever there is new arrival.

Used_Books_Warehouse
Typical Used Books Warehouse

2. Strategize Your Marketing — Talk to book retailers especially those by the roadsides in busy areas like Ikeja, Oshodi, and the rest. Let them know you import used books and once they know, they will be your regular customers. One thing good about the marketing is that you get to market twice, just once and they stick.

Anytime you have supply, just spread the news to them through BB broadcast or phone calls. They will even be calling you most of the times to know whether your goods have arrived.

3. Source Your Used Books — The easiest and probably the best place to source for your used books is eBay.com other websites that are very good in this regard are Amazon.com or Half.com which is also part of eBay. If you are in Europe or America, it will be easier for you to ask around and investigate the best sources.

Once you have these things in place, be ready to smile to the bank endlessly. The profit is the business is huge and guaranteed. 

Ask questions using the comment box below – I may just be online now to answer you. Cheer!

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28 Comments

  • Anonymous October 28, 2013

    Very informative! What type of books can one send to Nigeria? Please I need info. Thanks

    • Fabian Eni February 18, 2018

      @Anonymous, if you are in the US, Harlequin Novels and Historical Romances are softsells here.
      Especially Harlequin Present.
      Other class of hot selling books are Children Books of all kinds, Christian Books, Business & Motivational Books, Academic Textbooks, Professional Books, Spiritual or Mystical Books, Trade or Vocational Books, Nonfiction DVDs, even VHS and Audio Tapes on RELEVANT topics and subject matters.
      N/B: Try to get them real cheap…
      My source in Houston, TX, sell as low as 15Cents per Pound.
      My other source in Pennsylvania sells in Trailer loads…..
      If it’s allowed, you can Contact me through the Admin on 08023901922

  • Tessy January 6, 2014

    Hi,
    I started following your posts recently. Am interested in this. Can i have a lead way. Already logged on but prices i saw do not make economic sense.

    • Darlinton Omeh January 6, 2014

      Where did you log on and what prices did you see?

    • Fabian Eni February 18, 2018

      Please don’t just go anywhere to buy if you want to resell.
      It’ll be best you buy in Gaylord or Container loads. Otherwise you can get a free US address, buy from popular sites have them sent there, mostly for free or cheap.
      Then you send all down to Nigeria to save cost in shipping as that is the major obstacle in buying books in bits from abroad.
      If you are just starting out with limited cash, my advise is buy local first then grow in a short while to do international transactions.
      Bests to you…..

  • Arinze Anowai January 6, 2014

    I am not ready financially to go into the importation of used books to Nigeria, but I will never hold back any useful information I will have, for Nigerians that are ready to go into this business… Please go to:- usedwholesalebooks.com

    They sell used books in wholesale, but minimum order is 10 gaylords of used books.

    Each Gaylord contains between 800 and 1,200 books depending on the size and binding of each book.

    For those who want to bring in a container load of used books, a 20 ft container can hold 18 gaylords.

    So go to the website and see for yourself. Contact them and make further enquires..

    Goodluck!!!

  • Nitin Agarwal February 8, 2016

    Hi.. I am interested in importing a container of novels to India but I am unable to get the lead of the suppliers from UK. Can you please help with the correct person who exports books to India? I have mailed a few companies but didn’t receive any reply.

    • Fabian Eni February 18, 2018

      Hello, many of your Indian brethren are into used books in the UK.
      I have several of them as my source for both novels and other books.
      I need to introduce you personally fir them to respond to your inquiry or sell to you.

    • David Leigh-Ewers June 24, 2019

      Talk to Nick at Book Barn International. They have nearly one million books in stock and are well versed in the export of high quality used books all over the world. Email nick.bates@bookbarninternational.com

  • Wow this is really eyes opener, sir pls can you collect me with the inporters here in nigeria let me buy from the first to see the outlook. Am into book business since 1998 and i has bin looking for away to do it in a bigger way. My contact is

    • Isbat Edu June 26, 2016

      Thanks for the info. Pls, where can I getvto buy used books in Lagos?
      Thanks

    • Fabian Eni February 18, 2018

      There are very few permanent Importers…
      If you are in Lagos, the best way is to talk to people already into the business.
      Network or even pay to get leads…
      I do it regularly.
      Just yestersay I was ready to pay someone show me where to buy a certain book I saw with them.
      If you are Good at showing others, they naturally reciprocate.
      If you are outside Lagos, get your friends relation or an importer like myself to advise ans send you books as they become available….
      Some times, I scout around or buy great books from my colleagues and still make good profit reselling or just add it to my huge collection.
      Bests to you.

    • Fabian Eni February 18, 2018

      Ask Admin how we can connect…. if it’s allowed, you can reach me on: 08023901922

  • Isbat Edu June 26, 2016

    Thanks for the information.
    Please, where can I buy used books in Lagos?
    Looking forward to your reply!
    Thanks.

    • Fabian Eni February 18, 2018

      @Isbat Edu. There are many places, including myself.
      There are warehouses dedicated in just used book and some combines everything alongside books.
      One thing about used books is the fact that scarcity is a common experience.
      Books are not always available depending on your choices of books.
      Beyond buying and selling these books, which is super profitable. There are many other more profitable Profit Centres in the business.
      If you know how to work it out, you can make as much as N3,000,000 from a single book you probably bought for N200.
      I’m talking out of experience.
      If admin allows this, you can contact me through him for further details….

      • newedition May 28, 2019

        pls i will like to be connected to sellers in abuja let me start from nigeria in a small way

  • Chimezie July 23, 2017

    Mr Darlinton! thanks always for your idears, i won’t to go into this busines, but am stil planing ova it. Thanks, we wil talk befor i get into.

  • Fabian Eni November 29, 2017

    Hello, I thank the author for taking time to throw some light on this little-known money spinner of a business.
    Everything said in the post is very true ans verifiable.
    In my view, I think one can start very small and grow very big.
    Like in my case, I started with only N4,800 and grew to the level of importing 40ft container loads from both US & UK and sell to resellers.
    I started off by renting a space in commercial warehouse ans paid just a token.
    You don’t really need a large warehouse for a moderate start.
    This is really a BIG business for the small guys….
    I have made profits of over 1000% in many, many instances.
    It is that PROFITABLE! with many other streams of income attached to it.
    I eventually did an ebook on this, where I told all the SECRETS of Used Books Business and One-on-One Trainings on how anyone can Start Used Books Business with as little as N2,000…
    You can NEVER suffer lose in Used Books Business.
    I have 19+ years experience to prove and back my claim.
    This may not be the most glamourous of businesses, but it’s very sustainable.
    May God bless Readers & Book Lovers who make us rich…. 🙂

  • Ijeoma April 9, 2018

    Thanks for sharing. Am interested in children’s book and am not based in lagos. Can you connect one on where to get such and at a cheap price since I have a limited cash. Thanks and looking forward to your reply.

  • Akhigbe Sandra August 8, 2018

    Pls sir how can I get your ebook. I live in Benin city and would like to go into the usedbooks business except I have absolutely no idea on how to start

  • David Egbele December 4, 2018

    Oh! Thank you so much and i am so happy to have connected with this wonderful forum. For years i have been searching for this kind of info and it seems i have just hit the gold mine. I Have huge interest in this business and i will be very glad if i will be guided on how to go about it and kick start as well. Thank you. I reside in Port Harcourt.

  • Mennom February 20, 2019

    How do I get to buy?

  • Shigaba Eleazer July 12, 2019

    Please Mr Fabian, what do I need to get started?

  • Wisdom October 21, 2019

    Any used book importer or wholesaler here? I am looking for where to buy used books in bulk. Do you know any warehouse in lagos or port harcourt?

  • Kingsley October 26, 2019

    I want to go into this business, what is your advice,is it to start from used book or new one? and i don’t have much.Am in Abuja.
    09033839541.

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