Paraffin and kerosene van delivery
Deliver paraffin and kerosene in approved containers to homes, allotments and small sites by van.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based service delivering kerosene and paraffin in approved containers or small drums. It suits portable heaters, outbuildings, caravans, greenhouses, boats and small heating tanks that only need a top-up.
Your first three steps
- Contact a few fuel wholesalers and compare trade prices, minimum orders and delivery terms
- Ask your insurer and local fire service what is needed to carry and store kerosene, including any dangerous goods training
- Test the market by offering deliveries to a small group of local customers and ask for repeat orders
Who pays
Households with portable heaters or small tanks, caravan and boat owners, smallholders, workshops and small businesses.
How it makes money
You buy fuel from a wholesaler and sell it at a margin per litre, plus a delivery charge. Regular customers and minimum order sizes help make each trip worthwhile.
Skills that help
- Safe handling of flammable liquids
- Driving and route planning
- Customer service
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Rules on carrying dangerous goods by road (ADR), including small-load exemptions, so check what applies to your volumes
- Insurance for the van, the load and public liability, which must cover fuel carrying
- Safe storage at your base, so check fire safety and environmental rules with your local authority
- Fuel prices can change quickly and margins can be thin
- Spills and leaks can be costly, so use approved containers and carry spill kits
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: paraffin and kerosene van delivery
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 a paraffin and kerosene delivery business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your van, containers, insurance and safety equipment such as spill kits. Check what safe storage at your base will require too.
How much can a kerosene van delivery business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many deliveries you make and your prices. Fuel prices can change quickly and margins can be thin, so this is revenue, not profit.
What rules should I check before delivering paraffin and kerosene?
Check the rules on carrying dangerous goods by road (ADR), including small-load exemptions. Also check insurance covering the van, load and public liability for fuel carrying, and fire safety and environmental rules for storage with your local authority.
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