Surplus and deadstock fabric exporter

Overseas small fashion brands, workshops, wholesalers and importers who want lower-priced fabric in smaller quantities.

You buy surplus at a discount and resell by the roll or by the lot, with the margin covering storage, shipping and your time.

• Judging fabric quality and value
• Negotiating bulk purchases
• Packing, inventory and shipping logistics
• Selling to businesses online

• Tied-up cash: unsold stock costs money, so start with small lots
• Check export reporting rules with the Canada Border Services Agency and whether any export permit applies
• Check GST/HST treatment of exports and when you must register
• Insurance for stock in storage and in transit, plus commercial general liability
• Duties, fibre content labelling and customs rules in each destination country
• Check municipal zoning and lease terms if you store stock at a unit or at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your storage space and your packing and shipping setup. Starting with small lots helps limit the cash tied up in unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on lot sizes, the prices you negotiate and how quickly stock sells. These are estimates only, and unsold stock can slow your cash flow.

Check export reporting rules with the Canada Border Services Agency, whether any export permit applies, and how GST/HST treats exports. Also check destination duties and labelling, insurance for stock, and zoning and lease terms for storage.