Jewellery exporter with stock and trade shows

Overseas retail chains, independent boutiques, department store buyers and distributors who want ready stock with fast delivery.

You buy stock at wholesale prices and sell at export wholesale prices, with a margin on each order. Holding stock lets you fill orders quickly and take larger orders, but it ties up cash.

• Sales and negotiation
• Stock and cash flow management
• Product selection and merchandising
• Customer service across time zones

• Stock ties up cash, so start with best sellers and avoid overbuying
• Check import duties, labelling and hallmarking rules in each destination country
• Check Canadian precious metal marking rules and the Competition Bureau's guidance on jewellery claims
• Insure stock in storage and in transit, along with commercial general liability insurance
• Check export reporting and customs paperwork with the Canada Border Services Agency or a customs broker
• Trade show costs are high and orders may take months to follow up
• Currency swings can cut into your margin, so consider pricing in the buyer's currency carefully
• Check whether a home-based business licence or storage rules apply in your municipality

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your stock, trade show fees, insurance and shipping. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the buyers you win and how often they reorder.

Check import duties, labelling and hallmarking rules in each destination country. Also check Canadian precious metal marking rules, the Competition Bureau's guidance on jewellery claims, and export reporting and customs paperwork with the Canada Border Services Agency or a customs broker.

Trade show costs are high and orders may take months to follow up, so budget carefully. Stock ties up cash, so start with best sellers and avoid overbuying. Expect at least around 25 hours a week, based on the estimates.