Small fabric exporter with your own stock

Overseas independent designers, small clothing and homeware makers, interior businesses and shops that want smaller quantities than a mill will supply.

You sell at a mark-up on what you paid the mill, with the margin covering storage, shipping and paperwork costs.

• Knowing fabrics, weights and finishes
• Buying and stock control
• Packing and shipping
• Customer service across time zones

• Check whether you need an EORI number and how customs declarations and commodity codes work for textiles
• Check export VAT rules and keep the right shipping evidence
• Unsold stock ties up cash, so start with small orders
• Check duties, import rules and labelling requirements in each destination country
• Insurance for stock in storage and goods in transit, plus public liability cover
• Check the lease, business rates and whether the space can be used for storage and dispatch

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on how much fabric you buy, your storage space and your packing and shipping setup. Unsold stock ties up cash, so start with small orders.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your range, prices and how many overseas buyers you reach. The estimate assumes about 20 hours a week or more, and it is revenue, not profit.

Check whether you need an EORI number and how customs declarations and commodity codes work for textiles. Also check export VAT rules and shipping evidence, duties and labelling requirements in each destination country, your lease and business rates, and insurance for stock and goods in transit.