Online currency order and delivery service
Take foreign currency orders online and deliver or hold them for collection, without a busy high street shop.
- £5k-25k
- Part-time
- Online
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
9,891 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 66190 “Activities auxiliary to financial intermediation n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A website where customers reserve travel money at a quoted rate, then collect it from a secure pick-up point or receive it by insured delivery. You work with a wholesale supplier so you hold less cash than a shop.
Your first three steps
- Compare wholesale currency suppliers and ask whether they offer white-label or partner arrangements
- Speak to HMRC about money service business registration and what it requires for online and delivery sales
- Plan your site, rate display and delivery or collection process, and check which insurance covers cash in transit
Who pays
Travellers who want to lock in a rate in advance, plus small businesses and groups, such as schools or tour organisers, ordering in bulk.
How it makes money
A margin between your wholesale rate and the rate you quote customers, with delivery fees on smaller orders.
Skills that help
- Basic website and online marketing skills
- Accurate with numbers and rates
- Careful with compliance and record keeping
- Clear, trustworthy customer communication
Watch out for
- Check HMRC registration and 'fit and proper' tests for money service businesses before taking orders
- Anti-money laundering checks apply online too: identity verification, record keeping and suspicious activity reporting
- Rate risk between a customer ordering and you buying the currency
- Fraud and chargebacks on online payments
- Cash-in-transit and delivery insurance, and the risk of lost or stolen parcels
- Online competition from large providers can squeeze your margin
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online currency order and delivery service
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online currency service?
Estimated startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your website, the currency stock you hold and the security and delivery arrangements you set up.
How much can an online currency order service earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many orders you win and the margin you earn. The estimates assume at least about 15 hours a week.
What do I need to check before taking currency orders online?
Check HMRC registration and 'fit and proper' tests for money service businesses before taking orders. Anti-money laundering checks apply online too: identity verification, record keeping and suspicious activity reporting. Also check cash-in-transit and delivery insurance.
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