If you’re anything like Seth, you always have your eyes and ears open for a potential money-making manoeuvre.

We know that much of what stems from African shores is often shipped overseas and flogged for profit, but how about bringing some products down south and seeing how they fare here at home?

We asked around, we did a little digging, there was some tapping away on the keyboard – and who knows, maybe we’ve found your latest business venture?

Below are four ideas that a little import / export know-how might turn into serious cash flow – we’ll take our cut at a later stage.

Silversmiths of Northern Mozambique

We’re not talking about importing the silversmiths themselves, don’t be daft.

For centuries, artisans on Ibo Island off the northern coast of Mozambique have been hand-crafting silver jewellery using ancient techniques passed down from father to son.

This jewellery is found nowhere else in the world, and it’s the kind of things locals and tourists alike might well gobble up.

Handblown glassware from Swaziland

The skills of Swaziland’s glassblowers have become on of the country’s major  tourists attractions.

Both men and women, using age old artistry, have honed their skills and fine-tuned the art of producing animals of the African continent. Even better, many use recycled glass.

You trying to tell me people visiting South African wouldn’t leave with a few whale tails in their bag?

Palm Oil from Sierra Leone

There has been much uproar around the importing of palm oils to South Africa in recent years, given that much of the world’s supply comes from the likes of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Rainforests are cleared to make way for the trees, and species like elephants, tigers, rhinos and the critically endangered orangutans are under threat.’

Palm oil is also produced in Sierra Leone, being farmed in a responsible manner and used to rebuild the economy post-Ebola.

You know there’s a demand for sustainable palm oil around these parts – could be worth a shot.

Blankets from Lesotho

If you’re a South African you would probably have seen Basotho blankets before, but it’s only recently that they are garnering attention for their beautiful designs overseas.

They’ve inspired designs on the runways of Paris, and some fashionistas have even used them as inspiration for bomber jackets and other items.

I kinda feel like every South African household should have one, given their beauty and our border-sharing with Swaziland.

Worth taking a punt before the market becomes saturated? Seems like there’s moola to be made.

I can see plenty of you sitting there thinking ‘yeah, but who even knows where to begin with the import / export game?’

It’s true, the logistics involved would make most of us shiver at the knees, but that’s why you enlist the help of professionals.

Find your supplier, pick your goodies, enlist the help of Berry & Donaldson – sit back and watch the money roll in.

Here’s what they handle:

• International Sea and Air Freight Forwarding
• Customs Clearing
• Warehousing (Bonded and Duty Paid)
• Cartage (Deliveries)
• Project Freight
• Marine and Airfreight Insurance

Yeah, that will tick the necessary boxes.

Time to start your import empire – just don’t forget about us, we did point you in the right direction after all.