Ceramics importer with a small warehouse

Independent homeware and gift retailers, garden centres, hospitality businesses, interior shops and online sellers who buy in volume.

You buy at factory prices in large quantities and sell in smaller trade quantities at a margin. Larger lots lower your cost per item, and growth comes from more regular customers and a broader range.

• Managing suppliers and shipping
• Budgeting and cash flow
• Stock control and packing
• Sales to trade customers

• Import duty, VAT, customs declarations and an EORI number; check current rules on GOV.UK
• Product safety and food contact requirements for tableware; check what testing and paperwork you need to hold
• A full container is a large cash commitment (goods, freight, duty, import VAT and storage costs), so avoid over-ordering before you know what sells; consider starting with a part-container or smaller shipment
• Insurance for stock, goods in transit and public liability, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Unit lease terms, business rates and any restrictions on use; check before signing

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £45,000 to £150,000, depending on how much stock you order, freight, duty, import VAT and storage. A full container is a large cash commitment, so a part-container or smaller shipment may be a safer start.

Check import duty, VAT, customs declarations and whether you need an EORI number on GOV.UK. Also check the product safety and food contact requirements for tableware, and what testing and paperwork you need to hold.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your range, customers and order sizes. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, freight, duty, unit costs and insurance. Expect around 30 hours a week or more.