Online packaging supplies shop for small sellers

Small online sellers, crafters, small manufacturers, Etsy and eBay sellers, and local businesses that post goods to customers.

You buy in bulk from wholesalers or manufacturers and sell in smaller packs at a higher price per unit. Margins per item are usually thin, so repeat orders, bundles and a clear niche matter more than one-off sales.

• Basic online shop setup
• Comparing supplier prices and working out margins
• Organised stock and order handling
• Customer service

• Thin margins and big established suppliers, so check your prices against theirs before committing to stock
• Packaging waste and producer responsibility rules may apply to you depending on your turnover and what you handle, so check the current government guidance
• Food-contact packaging has its own rules, so check supplier paperwork before selling it
• Storing stock at home may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender, and check your home insurance covers business stock
• Register as a sole trader or limited company, and keep an eye on the VAT registration threshold

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on whether you hold stock at home or have a wholesaler ship orders for you, and on your website setup. Treat these as estimates and check supplier prices first.

Check whether packaging waste and producer responsibility rules apply to you, depending on your turnover and what you handle, using current government guidance. Also check supplier paperwork for food-contact packaging, and keep an eye on the VAT registration threshold.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on your niche, prices and how much stock you sell. Expect at least around 10 hours a week. Margins can be thin, so compare your prices with big suppliers.