Online American snacks and groceries store

Americans living in Australia, people who miss brands from trips abroad, snack fans, and shoppers buying gift boxes or party supplies.

You sell items at a markup on what you paid, plus profit from bundles such as snack boxes. Customers cover postage, or you build it into your prices.

• Online selling and basic product photography
• Stock and order tracking
• Customer service
• Comparing supplier prices

• Imported food must meet Australian import and biosecurity rules, so check with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and your supplier
• Many US products don't meet Australian labelling standards (Food Standards Code), so check the labels before you sell, or buy from importers who handle this
• Check with your local council whether you need to register as a food business, even for sealed packaged goods
• Use-by dates, heat damage in transit and slow-selling stock can eat into your profit
• You need an ABN, and public liability and product liability insurance are worth checking
• Check whether GST registration applies once your turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website and storage. These are estimates, so start with a small range of proven sellers.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your range, pricing and marketing. These are estimates, and heat damage, use-by dates and slow-selling stock can reduce your profit.

Check import and biosecurity rules with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, whether product labels meet the Food Standards Code, whether your council requires food business registration, and insurance, ABN and GST.