So How Much Does a Personal Shopper Actually Cost?
This is the number one question I get. People want US products shipped to Nigeria, but they're not sure what the total bill looks like. Fair enough — there are a few moving parts, and nobody likes surprises on a receipt.
I'm going to lay out every cost: service fees, shipping, customs, the works. Real numbers, real examples. Whether you're ordering one pair of sneakers for yourself or restocking your entire boutique, you'll know exactly what to expect by the end of this.
The Service Fee
This is what you pay the personal shopper — for their time, their knowledge of where to find deals, and the convenience of not having to figure it all out yourself. At BiddieVariety, our fee is a flat percentage of the product cost — simple and straightforward.
Our Fee Structure
| Account Type | Service Fee | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Personal orders | 15% | $200 order = $30 fee |
| Business / B2B accounts | 20% | $500 order = $100 fee |
It's a flat rate — no tiers, no complicated math. Business clients with regular high-volume orders can negotiate custom rates. Here's what that fee covers:
- Shopping in-store or online on your behalf
- Checking product quality before it ships
- Proper packaging so nothing arrives damaged
- Photos of everything we buy (so you see what you're getting)
- Updates and tracking throughout the whole process
Shipping Costs
After the products themselves, shipping is usually your biggest expense. Which carrier you pick depends on how fast you need it and how much you're willing to spend.
Carrier Comparison
| Carrier | Rate | Delivery Time | Tracking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heroshe | $11/kg | 10-14 days | Yes | Most orders — best value |
| DHL Express | $40-100+ | 3-5 days | Excellent | Urgent, high-value items |
| FedEx International | $35-80+ | 3-7 days | Excellent | Fast delivery needs |
| Sea freight | $1-3/kg | 6-12 weeks | Basic | Large bulk orders (50kg+) |
Most of our customers go with Heroshe at $11/kg. A typical clothing order runs 3-7kg, so you're looking at $33-$77 for shipping. DHL and FedEx cost 3-5x more but get there in under a week — only worth it if you absolutely can't wait or the items are very high-value.
Want the full breakdown on shipping options? Here's our 2026 shipping guide.
Customs Duties and Import Taxes
This one catches people off guard. Everything coming into Nigeria gets taxed by customs. Not our fee — this is the government's cut, and there's no way around it.
What You'll Pay
- Import duty: 20-35% of the declared value (depends on what you're importing)
- VAT: 7.5% of (declared value + import duty)
- CISS levy: 1% (Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme)
- ETLS levy: 0.5% (ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme)
Rates by Product Type
| Product Category | Import Duty | Effective Total (with VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing and textiles | 20% | ~30% |
| Shoes and footwear | 20% | ~30% |
| Handbags and accessories | 20% | ~30% |
| Electronics and gadgets | 20% | ~30% |
| Baby food and consumables | 20% | ~30% |
| Cosmetics and beauty | 35% | ~45% |
Real Examples: What You'd Actually Pay
Numbers make more sense with real scenarios. Here are three.
Example 1: Personal Order — One Person, Two Items
You want a pair of Nike Air Max and a Michael Kors wallet. That's it.
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nike Air Max ($89.99) + MK wallet ($59.99) | $149.98 |
| Sales tax (8%) | $12.00 |
| Service fee (15%) | $22.50 |
| Shipping via Heroshe (~2kg) | $22.00 |
| Customs duty (~25% + 7.5% VAT) | $48.74 |
| Heroshe Nigeria delivery | $0 (included) |
| TOTAL LANDED COST | $255.22 |
Product cost is 59% of the total. Shipping is 9%. Customs is 19%. Service fee is 9%. Sales tax is 5%. No surprises.
Example 2: Boutique Restock — Mid-Size Order
A boutique owner in Lagos orders Carter's baby clothing, Nike Kids sneakers, and a couple Momcozy breast pumps.
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Carter's (10 sets, avg $12) = $120 | $320.00 |
| Nike Kids (2 pairs, avg $40) = $80 | |
| Momcozy pumps (2x, avg $60) = $120 | |
| Sales tax (8%) | $25.60 |
| Service fee (15%) | $48.00 |
| Shipping via Heroshe (~7kg) | $77.00 |
| Customs duty (~25% + 7.5% VAT) | $104.00 |
| TOTAL LANDED COST | $574.60 |
These items sell for $750-$950 in Nigeria. That's $175-$375 profit after all costs.
Example 3: Bulk Order — Quarterly Restock
A serious boutique owner doing a big quarterly order.
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mixed products (clothing, shoes, baby items, bags) | $850.00 |
| Sales tax (8%) | $68.00 |
| Service fee (15%) | $127.50 |
| Shipping via Heroshe (~18kg) | $198.00 |
| Customs duty (~25% + 7.5% VAT) | $276.25 |
| TOTAL LANDED COST | $1,519.75 |
Revenue potential: $2,100-$2,800. Profit: $580-$1,280. See how the margins get better the bigger you go?
DIY vs Personal Shopper: The Honest Comparison
| Factor | DIY (Friend/Family) | Personal Shopper |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $0 | Flat 15% for personal, 20% for business |
| Product knowledge | Limited (unless they shop often) | Expert — knows best deals, sizes, quality |
| Quality control | Depends on person | Professional inspection with photos |
| Accountability | Personal relationship risk | Business accountability, refund policy |
| Availability | Subject to their schedule | Dedicated service, consistent turnaround |
| Scalability | Hard to scale beyond small orders | Can handle any order size |
| Returns handling | Complicated | Managed for you |
| Packaging quality | Variable | Professional, protective packaging |
| Communication | Informal, potentially unreliable | Structured updates, tracking, photos |
Here's the thing: DIY saves you the 15% service fee. But it introduces risk. I've heard too many stories about family members who "forgot" to buy the right size, or friends who took three weeks to get to the store. If you're running a business and need reliable supply, the service fee pays for itself in consistency alone.
Costs People Forget About
These are the ones that sneak up on you if you're not paying attention:
1. Exchange Rate Swings
If you're paying in Naira, watch the exchange rate closely. A move from ₦1,500/$1 to ₦1,600/$1 adds 6.7% to your cost overnight. That's real money on a big order.
2. Storage Fees
Forwarding services like Heroshe give you free storage for a limited time. Leave your stuff sitting there too long and you'll start paying for it. Ship promptly.
3. Insurance
For orders over $500, shipping insurance is worth considering. It's about 2-3% of declared value — cheap protection against lost or damaged goods.
4. Last-Mile Delivery in Nigeria
Some carriers deliver to your door, others to a pickup point. Know which one you're getting and budget for local delivery if needed.
5. Payment Processing Fees
International transfers, wire fees, card charges — these can add 1-3%. It's not a lot per transaction, but it adds up over time.
10 Ways to Keep Your Costs Down
- Combine orders: Put multiple items in one shipment to spread out the fixed shipping cost
- Buy during US sales: Black Friday, January clearance, Prime Day — product costs drop 30-60%
- Use Heroshe for standard orders: $11/kg is hard to beat
- Order bigger: More items per shipment means better per-item shipping costs — and B2B clients can negotiate custom service rates for regular bulk orders
- Ditch the retail packaging: Ask your shopper to remove boxes and tags to cut shipping weight
- Shop in tax-free states: Some US states charge zero sales tax — that saves you 6-10% right there
- Hit the outlet stores: Marshalls and similar outlets sell 20-70% below retail
- Be a regular: Repeat customers often get priority service and better rates over time
- Declare honestly: Under-declaring customs values can lead to seizures, fines, and massive headaches
- Watch the Naira: Time your big purchases when the exchange rate is in your favor
Common Questions
How long does the whole process take?
From placing your order to getting it in Nigeria: about 2-3 weeks with Heroshe, or 5-7 days with DHL/FedEx. That includes 1-3 days for shopping, 2-5 days for US domestic shipping to the forwarding address, and then the international leg.
Can I track my order?
Yes, every step. You get purchase confirmation with photos, US domestic tracking, and international shipping tracking. No black holes.
What if something's out of stock?
We'll let you know right away and suggest alternatives at a similar price. You approve it or get a refund for that item. Simple.
Is there a minimum order?
Most personal shoppers (us included) have a minimum of $50-$100. Below that, the logistics don't really make sense for either side.
Let's Get You Started
BiddieVariety keeps it straightforward — transparent pricing, no hidden fees, proper quality checks, and reliable delivery. That's really all there is to it.
Send us your shopping list and we'll have a detailed quote back to you within 24 hours. Or learn how to request any product from any US store.
