Paper Trader Buying and Shipping Overseas

Overseas printers, packaging makers and distributors who want a dependable UK source or smaller order sizes than a mill will supply.

The margin between your buying price and selling price, after freight, storage and finance costs. Margins can be thin, so volume and repeat customers matter.

• Buying and negotiating with suppliers
• Costing shipments and managing cash flow
• Handling export paperwork carefully

• Working capital is tied up in stock, so only buy against confirmed orders at first
• Payment risk on overseas buyers: check about credit insurance, letters of credit or payment upfront
• Check customs, EORI, commodity codes and how VAT applies to exports with your accountant or HMRC
• If you sell paper as certified (such as FSC or PEFC), check the certification rules first
• Stock insurance, goods in transit cover and public liability insurance
• Check sanctions and import rules for each destination country

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on how much stock you buy, whether you rent storage or use a third-party warehouse, and shipping and insurance costs. Working capital is tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on order sizes, your margins and how many overseas buyers you win. Revenue is not profit, as you still pay for stock, shipping and storage.

Check customs, EORI, commodity codes and how VAT applies to exports with your accountant or HMRC. Also check certification rules if selling FSC or PEFC paper, sanctions and import rules, insurance, and payment risk on overseas buyers.