Equipment importer with a small warehouse

Local contractors, restaurants, farms, workshops and small manufacturers that want equipment quickly and with local support.

Markup on each item sold from stock, plus delivery fees and optional installation, spare parts and servicing.

• Inventory and cash flow management
• Supplier negotiation
• Sales to business customers
• Basic logistics and delivery planning

• Customs bonds and import requirements, ask a customs broker whether you need a continuous bond
• Duties, tariffs and any extra trade measures on your products, and how they affect margins
• Product safety, certification and labeling rules for your category
• Insurance for stock, general liability and product liability, plus workers' compensation if you hire
• Large upfront spend on inventory, slow-moving stock can strain cash
• Zoning and local business license requirements for a warehouse or showroom, check with your city or county
• Sales tax registration with your state and handling resale certificates

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on your inventory, warehouse or unit rental and shipment sizes. These are estimates. Large upfront inventory spending is a major factor, and slow-moving stock can strain cash.

Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your product range, customer base and pricing. These are estimates. Duties, tariffs and other trade measures can affect your margins, so factor them in.

Things to check: customs bond and import requirements, such as whether you need a continuous bond, plus duties and tariffs on your products. Also check product safety and labeling rules, zoning and business license needs, insurance, and sales tax registration.