Luggage importer and distributor with a warehouse

Retail chains, independent travel and gift stores, online marketplaces sellers, and promotional product companies.

Buying in volume lowers your unit cost. You sell at wholesale prices and may add margin through faster delivery, smaller order sizes or exclusive ranges.

• Supplier negotiation
• Stock and cash flow planning
• Sales and account management
• Basic import paperwork

• Import duties, tariffs and exchange-rate swings can change your margins quickly, so get a customs broker's advice
• Large orders tie up a lot of cash and slow-selling stock can be a heavy loss
• Check product labelling and safety rules, including French-language requirements in Quebec
• Avoid counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods
• Check commercial general liability, product liability and stock insurance
• Check WCB/WSIB coverage rules in your province before hiring staff
• Seasonal travel demand and retailer payment terms can affect cash flow

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the volume you import, the stock you hold and your warehouse unit. Large orders tie up cash, so plan your cash flow carefully before ordering.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on how many retail customers you supply, order volumes and seasonal demand. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week. Revenue is before costs, duties and tax.

Things to check include advice from a customs broker on duties, tariffs and exchange-rate swings, product labelling and safety rules including French-language requirements in Quebec, avoiding counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods, insurance cover, and WCB/WSIB rules in your province before hiring staff.