Online importer of a niche product line

Canadian consumers buying online who want products that are hard to find locally or better value than local options.

You sell at a retail price above your landed cost (product, shipping, duties, taxes and fees). Repeat orders and a few bestsellers matter more than a wide range.

• Researching products and suppliers
• Negotiating and communicating with overseas suppliers
• Organising orders, stock and shipping
• Basic online selling and marketing

• Check whether your products need Health Canada or other safety, labelling or bilingual packaging approval before you sell them
• Duties, GST/HST and customs brokerage fees can eat your margin, so check the tariff classification and rates for your product
• Check with your municipality about rules for home-based businesses and storing stock at home
• Ordering too much stock up front ties up your cash, so start with small test orders
• Check your insurance options, including product liability cover

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the product line and how much stock you order. Ordering too much up front ties up cash, so start with small test orders.

Check whether your products need Health Canada or other safety, labelling or bilingual packaging approval. Also check duties, GST/HST and customs brokerage fees for your product's tariff classification, and your municipality's rules for home-based businesses and storing stock at home.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your product, pricing and sales channels. Duties, GST/HST and brokerage fees can eat your margin, so check these costs, and expect at least 10 hours a week.