The Complete Guide to Sourcing and Importing Stock Online.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from finding trustworthy suppliers to getting your goods delivered to Kenya safely and cheaply. You don't need a ton of cash to start - even KES 5,000 is enough!

Plus, David's got a video series that walks you through it all step-by-step. Watch hapa

Ready to take your business to the next level? Let's dive in!

Kama uko familiar na Jumia na umewahi buy products from them, then usha-interact na e-commerce website. However, kuna global e-commerce platforms zenye zina-connect suppliers na manufacture with clients from all over the world. Some of the major examples ni kama Amazon, AliExpress, Alibaba, Shein, na 1688. The key difference ya hizi sites ni, platforms kama Amazon na AliExpress hawauzi products in bulk, na the profit margin ukitaka ku-resell inaeza kuwa kidogo. On the other hand, sites kama Alibaba na 1688 wame-focus na bulk sales, often offering lower prices iki-depend na zile items ume-purchase. Kwa mfano, phones case on Alibaba zinaeza cost around KES 100, but locally, unazipata na KES 500 na above. Additionally, Alibaba ni the largest e-commerce website globally, iki-offer a vast variety ya products kutoka suppliers from all parts of the world.

Start kwa ku-visit Alibaba.com on your browser ama downloading the Alibaba app. Step ya kwanza niku-create an account, where utakuwa required ku-provide your name, email, na password. After ku-submit hizi details, itabidi u-log in to ku-access the site. From the dashboard, utacheck all the products and kuna two ways unaeza search for the products:

1️⃣ Direct Search ukitumia the search bar

2️⃣ Kutumia Request for Quotation (RFQ) feature – Hii ukusaidia kutafuta unique products zenye may not appear kwa direct search. Uta-need ku-fill in the item details, quantity, description na u-upload image kama uko nayo. After 24 hours, uta-receive quotation kutoka kwa manufactures ama suppliers.

Once umecheck ile products unadai, utaona details kama pictures, descriptions, prices, na weights. Kila product ukuwa linked to its respective supplier. By clicking jina ya supplier, utakuwa directed kwa their profile page yenye ikona all relevant details. Here are four key things unafaa kucheck ku-ensure the supplier or manufactures nim-legit:

1️⃣ Number of years amekuwa kwa Alibaba: kwa wale first-time buyers, ensure huyo supplier amekuwa on Alibaba for at least two years.

2️⃣ Verification Badge: Although sio kila suppliers ukuwa verified, a verified badge ina mean Alibaba wali-visit their warehouse or manufacturing site ku-confirm their legitimacy.

3️⃣ Trade Assurance Badge: Hii badge inamean kuwa the suppliers hata receive payment until ume confirm kuwa ume-receive the correct products. In case kuna any issues, unaeza claim refund.

4️⃣ Other products from the suppliers: Hii usaidia ku-avoid ku-buy from suppliers mwenye ana offer unrelated products (e.g., suppliers mwenye anauza phones cases na car parts anaeza kuwa a red flag).

Once usha-identify a reliable supplier, click the “Chat Now” button ku-initiate a conversation. Unaeza discuss the quantity and u-negotiate the price, which they might adjust ikitegemea vile umeivana bargaining skills.

After m’me-agree on price, the suppliers atakuuliza shipping agent. A shipping agent ndiye atakuwa responsible ku-ensure your good zinakuwa transported kutoka kwa suppliers’ location hadi kwako in Kenya. So, before u-make payment, uta-need ku-provide the shipping agent address pamoja na shipping mark (details zenye zitakuwa written kwa mzigo, kama your name, location na number ye simu). After hapo, the supplier atakutumia payment link, yenye itafungua trade assurance page. Trade assurance ana act kama middlemen kati yako na supplier. Once umelipa, trade assurance ata holds the payment until wewe u-confirm umepata the correct order. Kufanya payment, unaeza tumia your Visa card, requested kutoka kwa your bank, ama directly from the MPESA app under global pay option. Enter the 16-digit number, expiry date, na CVV, then click “Pay Now.”

1️⃣ Choosing a Shipping Method:

Shipping agents ni companies zenye u-ensure goods zinakuwa transported kutoka one country to another. They typically have offices in Kenya na warehouse kwa other countries. Some of the well-know shipping agents hapa Kenya zina-include Rolling Cargo, Tsavo Stores, Aquanto, na Salihiya. Most of them ziko na websites where unaeza create account and log in ku-access the address zenye una-provide to your suppliers. Once the suppliers ame-ship your order to the agent, utapata a notification either message ama email confirming wame-receive your stock. Pia watakuuliza your preferred transport method. Shipping agent usually wana-offer two options:

✔ By Air: Hii ina-take 2-3 weeks kufika and costs around KES 1,700-2500 per Kg, depending na the agent.

✔ By Sea: Hii nayo ina-take 30-45 days and ukuwa charged per cubic meter (CBM). The cost ni around KES 60,000 per CBM.

Ni advisable ku-have your supplier a-measure the goods kabla shipping ndio u-calculate the shipping charges accurately. Ku learn more on Kgs and CBMs, check kwa site ya the shipping agents, which often ina include a shipping calculate ya kukusaidia kupata estimate shipping fee.

2️⃣ Payment for Shipping:

Most shipping agents wana allow kufanya payment before or after your goods zime arrive in Kenya. Pia wana provide a tracking number ndio uweze ku-monitor your goods’ location at any time. Pia wao ndio ukuwa responsible ku-handle any import taxes or fees associated with your goods.

Shipping agent aki-receive your products, wataku notify via email ama message. Unaeza request a picture of your goods ku-confirm everything iko in order kabla shipping. Once stock imefika Kenya, the shipping agent ata ku-contact. Kama haukuwa umefanya payment prior, hii ndio time utafanya the payment.

After ume receive your stock, the next step nikuanza marketing. Kama uko na physical shop unapeleka hapo. Kama this is your first purchase, the easiest way ku-start ni through social media. Tip fiti ni ku-create a social media account and start posting kuhusu the products kabla zifike ndio u-build client base. Kama hauna large following on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, unaeza tumia WhatsApp status ku-showcase the products una sale. Kama uko na mabeste wafiti pia unaeza washow wa share your products. Alternatively, unaeza create a WhatsApp group ya biz where unaeza post stock along with the selling price. Kama hauna a physical shop, unaeza struggle na deliveries. In this case, one option nikutumia beste mwenye ako karibu na client’s area ama rent a shelf space from KES 1000 – 2500 per month. Unaeza stock hii shelf, and uki-get clients unawa-direct them ku-pick from hapo.

Kama hii article imeku-inspired ku-start hii journey, as community ya Mesh, we wish you nothing but success. Kumbuka, the knowledge is just a click away, na with the right tools na information, your biz dreams ziko within reach. Usisahau ku watch the reel where David ana break down these points further