Online packing supplies shop

Sell moving boxes, tape and wrap online from a spare room or small storage space, with local delivery or courier.

Stacked cardboard moving boxes, packing tape and wrap on a store shelf.
Startup costA$2k to A$8k
Monthly revenueA$800 to A$5k
Time needed8+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • A$2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

An online shop selling ready-made moving kits and individual packing items such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, paper and mattress covers. You hold stock at home or in a small storage unit and send orders by courier or local delivery.

Your first three steps

  1. Get quotes from a few packing material wholesalers and compare minimum orders and prices
  2. Set up a simple online store with 3 or 4 moving kits plus single items, and work out courier costs for bulky boxes
  3. Contact local removalists, real estate agents and student housing groups to offer them trade pricing
Who pays

People moving house or unit, renters, students, and small removal firms and real estate agents who need regular top-ups.

How it makes money

You buy in bulk from wholesalers and sell at a mark-up, with extra margin on bundled kits (for example, a 1 or 2 bedroom moving kit) and delivery fees.

Skills that help
  • Basic online shop setup
  • Stock and order management
  • Customer service
Watch out for
  • Check council rules if you store stock at home or run the business from a residential address
  • Bulky boxes can make postage expensive, so check courier rates before setting prices
  • Storage space and cash tied up in stock, start with fast-selling items
  • Register for an ABN, and check when you need to register for GST
  • Consider public liability and stock insurance

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: online packing supplies shop

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start an online packing supplies shop?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the stock you buy and how you set up your shop and storage. Starting with fast-selling items helps limit cash tied up in stock.

How much can a packing supplies business earn?

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of around $800 to $5,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many movers and trade customers you reach. Revenue is not profit, so allow for stock and delivery costs.

What should I check before selling packing supplies online?

Check council rules if you store stock at home or run from a residential address, and check courier rates for bulky boxes before setting prices. Also register for an ABN, check when to register for GST, and consider insurance.

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Photo: phily_shotz on Pixabay

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