Freelance import and export adviser working from home

Small manufacturers, online sellers, food and drink producers and other firms that are new to exporting or importing and have no in-house trade team.

Day rate or fixed fee for a project such as a market entry report or a paperwork set-up, plus monthly retainers for ongoing support.

• Knowledge of customs, shipping and trade documents
• Clear writing and explaining complex rules simply
• Research skills
• Organised and detail-focused

• Professional indemnity insurance, as wrong advice on customs or compliance could be costly for a client
• Trade rules and duties change often, so check official GOV.UK guidance before advising and say clearly when something needs confirming
• Customs agent work, where you submit declarations for clients, may carry extra requirements, so check with HMRC before offering it
• Check whether working from home needs permission from your landlord or mortgage lender
• Work can be uneven at first, so plan for gaps between projects

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around £300 to £2,000, depending on equipment, software, insurance and how you market your services. Professional indemnity cover is worth pricing up early.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around £500 to £5,000, depending on how many clients and projects you take on. Work can be uneven at first, so plan for gaps between projects.

Check you have professional indemnity insurance, and use official GOV.UK guidance because trade rules and duties change often. If you want to submit customs declarations for clients, check with HMRC first about extra requirements.