Handmade crafts wholesale exporter

Overseas gift shops, boutiques, galleries, importers and distributors who want authentic Australian-made products.

You buy from makers at a wholesale price and sell to buyers at a higher price. Your margin has to cover freight, packaging, bank fees and any samples you send out.

• Building relationships with makers and buyers
• Organising orders and shipping
• Negotiating prices and terms
• Clear written communication with overseas buyers

• Register for an ABN and check how GST applies to your exports with the ATO or your accountant
• Items made with wood, shell, feathers, bone or other natural materials may need export permits, so check with the Australian Government's export and wildlife trade rules
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art needs care: check authenticity, fair payment and the Indigenous Art Code, and avoid selling imitations
• Check the import rules, duties and labelling requirements in each destination country
• Late payment or non-payment from overseas buyers, so consider upfront payment or deposits
• Goods insurance for freight, plus public liability and product liability cover

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock and sampling you buy, your shipping and insurance needs, and how many overseas buyers you approach. Treat this as an estimate and build your own budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your range, order sizes and how many buyers you win. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, freight and insurance. Expect roughly 12 hours a week at minimum.

Check ABN registration and how GST applies to exports with the ATO or an accountant. Items made with wood, shell, feathers or bone may need export permits. Also check Indigenous art authenticity, each destination's import rules and duties, and your insurance cover.