Home-Based natural stone export trader

Overseas builders, stonemasons, architects' contractors and stone distributors who want specific UK stone such as limestone, sandstone, slate or granite.

You buy at the quarry price and sell at a higher price, or earn an agreed commission. You are paid per order, so income can be uneven until you have repeat buyers.

• Sales and negotiation
• Organising shipments and paperwork
• Knowing stone types and finishes
• Clear written communication, possibly in another language

• Customs and export paperwork: check current rules with HMRC and your freight forwarder, including your EORI number and commodity codes
• Payment risk with overseas buyers: look at deposits, letters of credit or trade credit insurance before shipping
• Cargo insurance and who is responsible for damage in transit, since stone is heavy and breakable
• Check export rules on sanctions and where the stone comes from for any country you sell to
• Public liability insurance, and whether you need to register for VAT as your sales grow
• Running a business from home may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender

Our estimates put startup costs typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on the insurance, software and set-up you need. Because stone goes straight from quarry to customer, you do not hold stock, though cargo insurance is worth checking.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many overseas buyers you win and the size of each order. This is revenue, not profit, so quarry and freight costs still need covering.

Check current customs and export paperwork with HMRC and your freight forwarder, including your EORI number and commodity codes. Also check sanctions and origin rules for each country, cargo insurance, payment risk, whether you need to register for VAT, and permission to work from home.