Home-Based clothing export agent

Overseas boutiques, online shops, department store buyers and other wholesalers looking for British-made or British-brand clothing.

You buy at a trade price and sell at a margin, or you earn commission as an agent. Prices usually include or are separate from freight, depending on the terms you agree.

• Negotiating with suppliers and buyers
• Organising orders and deadlines
• Comfortable with paperwork and spreadsheets
• An eye for what sells in different markets

• Check the import duties, taxes and labelling rules in each destination country, as buyers will ask about them
• Check how VAT zero-rating on exports works and keep proof of export, as HMRC may ask for it
• Only sell genuine branded goods and check you have the right to resell them, as counterfeit or unauthorised stock is a serious risk
• Check sanctions and restricted-destination rules before agreeing any sale
• Late payment from overseas buyers, so consider payment upfront, deposits or trade credit insurance
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows you to store stock at home

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £8,000, depending on the samples and stock you hold and how you ship. These are estimates only, so check your own costs for shipping and paperwork before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on the brands you source, your buyers and order sizes. These are estimates, not guarantees, and revenue is not profit once stock, shipping and other costs are paid.

Check import duties, taxes and labelling rules in each destination country, how VAT zero-rating on exports works and the proof of export to keep. Also check you can resell branded goods, sanctions and restricted-destination rules, and late payment risks.