Boutique wine importer for local venues

Independent restaurants, wine bars, bottle shops and cafes looking for wines the big distributors don't carry.

You buy at the producer's price and sell at a trade price above your landed cost (freight, duty, taxes, storage and delivery). Margin comes from the markup on each case.

• Wine knowledge and a good palate
• Sales and relationship building
• Organising shipments and paperwork
• Careful budgeting and cash flow

• Liquor licensing for wholesale differs by state and territory, so check with your state's liquor regulator before buying stock
• Check your obligations for customs duty, GST on imports and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET), and whether you need to register for WET
• Check import and labelling requirements for wine with the relevant government agencies
• Large upfront stock costs and slow-moving stock can tie up cash, as can foreign exchange swings
• Public liability and product or stock insurance, plus insurance while goods are in transit
• Council approval may be needed if you run any part of the business from home

Startup costs are typically around $12,000 to $60,000, depending on how much stock you buy and your freight and warehousing needs. Large upfront stock costs and foreign exchange swings can tie up cash, so budget carefully.

Check before buying stock. Wholesale liquor licensing differs by state and territory, so ask your state's liquor regulator. Also check your obligations for customs duty, GST on imports and Wine Equalisation Tax, plus import and labelling requirements with the relevant government agencies.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the wines you import and how many venues you sell to. That is revenue, not profit, and slow-moving stock can tie up your cash.