Start an online shop selling Canadian crafts abroad

Shoppers abroad who want authentic handmade Canadian gifts and home goods, including people with Canadian ties living overseas.

You earn the margin between what you pay artisans (wholesale price or a share of the sale) and your retail price, minus shipping, platform fees and duties handled for the customer.

• Online selling and product listings
• Good photos and descriptions
• Building fair relationships with makers
• Organised packing and shipping

• Customs rules and duties in each destination country, including how the buyer is charged
• Items made with animal parts (such as some sealskin, fur, bone or ivory) may need export permits, check with Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Only describe work as Indigenous-made if it is, and agree terms fairly with the artists, check guidance on authenticity
• Whether you need to register for GST/HST and how exports are treated, check with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Check your municipality's rules for running a business from home and storing stock
• Commercial general liability or product insurance, and damage or loss in transit

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your website or marketplace set-up, opening stock or consignment arrangements, photography and packing supplies.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your niche, the quality of your listings, your pricing and shipping costs, and how many buyers you reach abroad.

Check customs rules and duties in each destination country, and whether items with animal parts need export permits from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Also check GST/HST treatment of exports, and only describe work as Indigenous-made if it is.