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E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail: Pay Nigeria Suppliers Fast

Cross-border e-commerce businesses importing products for online retail and fulfillment Send NGN payments to Nigeria suppliers with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network). Save 87% vs traditional banks.

Save £3,535 per £100k Payment

Typical savings for E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail paying Nigeria suppliers

Traditional Bank
£4,040
FX Spread: 4% + £40 fee
  • ❌ 2-3 day settlement
  • ❌ Hidden FX margins
  • ❌ High correspondent bank fees
  • ❌ Manual compliance checks
Unicorn Currencies
£505
FX Spread: 0.5% + £5 fee
  • T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)
  • ✓ Transparent pricing
  • NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) available
  • ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
Your Annual Savings
87%
£3,535 per £100k

At £100k-£2M monthly volume, save £42,420/year

Common Challenges: E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail in Nigeria

Industry Pain Points

  • High transaction volume, low individual values
  • Multi-marketplace multi-currency
  • Rapid inventory turnover
  • Returns and refund processing

Country-Specific Considerations

  • Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange regulations
  • Form M (Import documentation) required for imports
  • Treasury Single Account (TSA) compliance for government payments
  • SWIFT code verification critical for international transfers

How Unicorn Solves E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail Payment Challenges in Nigeria

Fast Settlement: T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)

Use NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) for instant NGN settlement.Nigeria's instant inter-bank payment system, 24/7 availability

Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking

Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.

0.14s Compliance Screening

Automated compliance checks for Nigeria regulations.Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange regulations handled automatically.

E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail Payment Profile

Understanding the payment dynamics of E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail when paying Nigeria suppliers

Payment Timing

T/T advance for new products. Established suppliers: Net 15-30. Marketplaces pay bi-weekly/monthly.

Settlement Priority: HIGH: Stock-outs lose Buy Box. Fast payment = priority fulfillment. Cash flow critical.

📄 Invoice Terms

T/T advance (new suppliers), Net 15-30 (established), Alibaba Trade Assurance.

Cash Flow Pattern:

Pay suppliers 30-60 days before marketplace payment. Q4 cash-intensive. Working capital gap is primary challenge.

📊 FX Risk Profile

HIGH: CNY (sourcing), multiple marketplace currencies (USD, EUR). High volume, thin margins (15-25%). Must manage closely.

Supplier Relationships:

Alibaba/1688 sourcing. Factory direct for volume. Trade Assurance for security. Multiple suppliers for supply security.

Common Documentation for E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail

  • Commercial Invoice
  • Product Compliance Certificate
  • Customs Declaration
  • Insurance Certificate
  • Tracking Documentation

Popular Nigeria Supplier Types for E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail

Common Nigeria Suppliers

  • Oil & gas service providers (Lagos, Port Harcourt)
  • Agricultural exporters (Kano, Kaduna)
  • Manufacturing (Lagos, Ogun State)
  • Construction materials (Lagos, Abuja)

Payment Tips for Nigeria

  • Use NIP for instant settlement - avoid SWIFT delays
  • Nigeria = Africa's largest economy, growing trade hub
  • Multiple exchange rates exist - ensure you get interbank rate
  • Oil & gas payments require enhanced due diligence
Typical Transaction Size
£50k-£250k
Compliance Notice: Subject to sanctions and compliance screening. Certain industries and countries not supported.

Ready to Pay Nigeria Suppliers 87% Cheaper?

Join E-commerce & Cross-Border Retail businesses saving £3,535 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).

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