Vehicle shipping agent working from home

Private buyers and sellers, classic and import car owners, small dealers, people relocating abroad and online auction buyers.

You add a margin or fixed fee on top of the carrier's price, or earn a commission from the carrier. Regular dealer clients and repeat work make income steadier.

• Organised and good with detail
• Clear communication with customers and carriers
• Comfortable comparing quotes and handling paperwork

• Check the insurance cover carried by every carrier, and whether you need your own cover such as professional indemnity or goods in transit
• Exports and imports involve customs, VAT and paperwork, so check HMRC and GOV.UK guidance before offering international moves
• Know who is liable if a vehicle is damaged or delayed, and set this out clearly in your terms
• Take care with payments and deposits, and use a clear process so customers can trust you
• Check data protection obligations, as you will hold customers' personal details and vehicle documents

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on the insurance you take out and how you set up your booking process. These are estimates, as you do not need your own lorries or ships.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on the number of bookings and whether you arrange UK or overseas moves, from around 8 hours a week. These are estimates, not guaranteed income.

Check each carrier's insurance and whether you need your own cover, such as professional indemnity or goods in transit. For exports and imports, check HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on customs and VAT, plus liability terms and data protection.