Specialty Tea Exporter Run From Home

Overseas importers, tea wholesalers, blenders, cafes chains and specialty retailers looking for a reliable supplier.

You buy at a wholesale price and sell at a higher price per kilogram or per pallet, with a margin that covers packaging, shipping and paperwork costs. Repeat orders from the same buyers make the income steadier.

• Sales and negotiation
• Organizing orders and paperwork
• Clear written communication with buyers abroad
• Tea product knowledge

• Check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence to export food
• Check the import rules, labelling and pesticide limits of each destination country before you quote
• Export paperwork and customs classification: check with a customs broker or freight forwarder
• Payment risk with new overseas buyers: consider deposits, letters of credit or export credit insurance
• Currency swings and shipping costs can shrink a thin margin
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, and check whether your home insurance covers stored stock
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your samples and your shipping arrangements. Currency swings and shipping costs can shrink a thin margin, so price carefully.

Check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence to export food. Check each destination country's import rules, labelling and pesticide limits, and ask a customs broker or freight forwarder about paperwork and classification.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your buyers and order sizes. Plan on at least about 10 hours a week. With new overseas buyers, consider deposits, letters of credit or export credit insurance.