Pricing is one of the biggest mistakes most new exporters make. They often pick a random price, compare with others on WhatsApp, or copy online sellers without understanding how international pricing truly works.
The result? Some sell too low and lose profit, while others price too high and lose buyers.
At Gooven Multiservice Ltd, we teach exporters how to calculate real export prices that attract buyers while keeping you profitable, without guesswork or loss.
1. Understand the Three Levels of Export Pricing
Before setting your price, you need to know the three levels involved in every export transaction:
1. Local Purchase Price (LPP): The price you buy the product from local markets or suppliers.
2. Export Cost Price (ECP): The cost of packaging, documentation, and shipping added to your LPP.
3. International Selling Price (ISP): The final price your foreign buyer pays.
Pro Tip: Never guess your export price. Always work backwards — start from the buyer’s market price and calculate downward to find your profit margin.
2. Research the Buyer’s Market Price
Go online and check what your product sells for in the target country.
Use these free tools:
– Amazon, eBay, or Etsy: Search for your product (e.g., ‘Nigerian palm oil 5L’).
– Google Shopping: Check retail prices in USD, GBP, or EUR.
– African stores’ websites abroad: They show real-world prices in the diaspora market.
This helps you know the average selling price your buyer expects.
Example: If 5 liters of palm oil sells for $35 in the U.S., your export price must allow the buyer to still profit after freight and retail costs.
3. Calculate Your Export Cost Price (ECP)
Your export cost includes everything from the moment you buy locally to when you deliver the product to port or warehouse.
| Cost Type | Description |
| Product Purchase | Local market price per kg or liter |
| Packaging | Bottles, seals, labels, cartons |
| Transportation | Movement from source to processing or port |
| Documentation | NEPC, NAFDAC, Phytosanitary, etc. |
| Freight | Sea or air shipping cost |
| Handling | Loading, palletizing, clearing |
| Miscellaneous | Bank charges, commission, etc. |
4. Add Your Profit Margin
After getting your ECP, add a reasonable profit margin.
Example: If your total cost per 5L keg is $18, you can sell to your buyer at $24–$26 depending on quantity and negotiation.
This gives both you and your buyer room for profit.
Pro Tip: Don’t be greedy. Focus on consistent repeat orders, not just one-time big profit.
5. Factor in Shipping Method and Currency Fluctuation
Your pricing should consider whether you’re using sea or air freight and include currency conversion buffers.
If you’re pricing in dollars but paying expenses in naira, always include a 5–10% safety margin to cover exchange rate changes.
Gooven teaches exporters how to hedge against naira volatility and maintain steady margins through its Trade Academy mentorship.
6. Offer Tiered Pricing to Buyers
Serious exporters don’t use one price for everyone. They offer tiered pricing based on volume.
Example for Egusi:
– 1–50 kg = $10 per kg
– 51–200 kg = $9 per kg
– 201 kg and above = $8.50 per kg
This encourages bulk orders and builds trust with recurring buyers.
7. Understand Hidden Export Charges
New exporters often forget to include:
– Export agent or freight forwarding fees
– Customs and inspection fees
– Bank or remittance charges
– Product testing or certification costs
If you ignore these, you’ll think you made profit until money disappears in logistics.
Pro Tip: Always use Gooven’s pre-designed Export Pricing Template to calculate true profit before quoting any buyer.
8. How Gooven Multiservice Ltd Simplifies Export Pricing
Gooven integrates everything you need to price right and profit safely:
– Gooven Foods: Helps you package and cost accurately based on export standard.
– Gooven Trade Academy: Trains you to calculate pricing using real export cost templates.
– Gooven Mentorship: Guides you to negotiate confidently with buyers abroad.
With Gooven, you don’t guess; you grow profitably.
Conclusion
Pricing can make or break your export business. When done right, it builds buyer confidence and ensures sustainability.
At Gooven Multiservice Ltd, we help Nigerian exporters master pricing, documentation, and shipping step by step.
Gooven Multiservice Ltd — Turning Nigerian Products into Profitable Global Brands.