In Mali, West Africa

At our home in New Jersey.

Owners of Africa Imports

240 South Main Street, Unit A

South Hackensack, NJ 07606

15,000 square foot warehouse.

3,200 square feet of office space.

Who we are

There are 15 people at our main office; and about 100 different people from Africa who travel back and forth with new products. We also estimate that there are over 1,000 different people in Africa who make the products in their own communities; and in their own way. Africa Imports began in August 1998. Some of our people have been involved with African goods and trade for even longer. 

Our goal is to help communities and individuals in Africa prosper by providing a channel for these products in the US. We also want you to succeed with your business with products and business support available nowhere else.

Employees

What you will receive from Africa Imports 

New products - You will always find new products to offer your customers. You will be mailed information on new items on a regular basis so that you can keep your selection fresh and profitable.

Large inventories - Because hand made products from Africa can be difficult to obtain quickly, we keep extra large quantities on hand for most items. Shipments are sent on the next business day so that you can replenish your stock at any time with just a phone call, fax, email, or online order. You have over 1,500 items available, and 95% of these are in stock at any time.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee - If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason at all (or even for no reason), you can return your item(s) for a full refund or exchange: whichever you choose.

All returns must be undamaged and returned within 30 days of your purchase for a complete refund. Clothing must not be soiled or laundered. There is no refund of shipping costs or returned merchandise. 

Why was Africa Imports started?

The purpose of Africa Imports is basically twofold. 

- First is to help our customers prosper with the largest selection in the world of African and African inspired goods. To make our customers more successful, these products are offered at the lowest wholesale prices possible. 

- Second, the reason we started this business is to help provide a means of support for communities and people in Africa. 

Because not everything offered by Africa Imports is made in Africa, we also support several orphanages in Africa with the profits that come from these other products. 

Click here to see the Congo Orphanage we are supporting right now.

By helping people here to enjoy African products, you are helping communities in Africa to maintain their industry, livelihood, and traditions. Africa Imports customers are a crucial link between artisans in Africa; and people in the US who love and appreciate their work. 

The areas of Africa where many of these products are made are among the poorest economically in the world. Whenever you decide to own one of these products, you help provide basic necessities to someone in Africa. Even though it may not always seem like a lot of money to you; it can still be enough for some people to buy food, clothing, or medical care with.

There are two questions that people sometimes ask.

1. Why isn't everything at Africa Imports made in Africa.

2. Is Africa Imports a member of fair trade organizations.

How the business developed

The business was started in 1998. For the first year, the business was operated by the founder, his family, and by one office person. Most of this period of time was spent learning about the market for African goods, and developing a base of reliable suppliers.

The founder spent the first year traveling the US and Africa; visiting African stores; exhibiting goods in trade shows; and building a base of customers. During this period, we learned many things that help make an African business successful. Sources for the most popular products were established, and we worked with many of our customers to discover the best ways to sell African products: both for them and for us.

In October of 1999, the business was relocated to Hackensack, New Jersey because it is close to New York with its large base of African suppliers. Being in New Jersey allowed us to supply African products with much lower overhead costs than a warehouse in Manhattan.

Wayne and Randy Kiltz and their four teenage children ran the business for the next year. There was originally one full time employee outside of the Kiltz family in New Jersey. During the next three years the business grew to 13 non-family employees. In August of 2002 the business was moved to a larger warehouse in South Hackensack where we currently have 15,500 sq. ft. of office and warehouse space. 

Our goals for the future include continued strong sales growth, in a way which benefits African communities. Some of the things that we are doing to help this happen are:

 - Making our focus the success of our customers. 

- Providing a steady supply of new products, both from Africa and from other sources, that help our customers to grow. 

- Giving customers "one stop shopping" so that they can have everything that their own customers ask for. This also helps out customers to find what they need fast, save on shipping, and grow faster. 

- Improving the quality and number of catalogs, training, and other materials that are given to our regular customers. 

- Improving the quality of both the products and customer service offered in every detail possible. This happens by constant improvement in a thorough and systematic way. 

- Providing those who work here with an environment that encourages exceptional customer service. This allows talented and conscientious people to be rewarded for their contributions in keeping these products available. 

If there is anything else that you would like to know about us, please email or phone us with your questions. By working together, we can help make a better life for ourselves, and for others in Africa.