Home-Based spice export trader

Overseas importers, specialty food wholesalers, food manufacturers and gourmet retailers.

You buy at a supplier price and sell at a higher export price, per kilo or per pallet. Your margin covers freight, paperwork and your time.

• Negotiating with suppliers and buyers
• Organised with paperwork and deadlines
• Comfortable emailing and calling overseas contacts

• Check the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry export requirements for plant products and food, including permits and certificates
• Check the import rules, labelling and testing requirements of each destination country
• If you re-export imported spices, check the biosecurity and import conditions that apply
• Currency swings, late payments and shipping delays, so consider payment terms such as payment upfront or letters of credit
• Product liability and cargo insurance, plus any public liability cover you need

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the volume of stock you buy and the deals you take on. These are estimates, so check your own costs for stock, shipping and insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your buyers and deal sizes. Estimates start from about 10 hours a week. Watch for currency swings, late payments and shipping delays.

Things to check include Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry export requirements for plant products and food, including permits and certificates, plus each destination country's import rules, labelling and testing. Also check biosecurity conditions if you re-export imported spices.