Home-Based food export trader

Overseas importers, distributors, specialty grocers and restaurant suppliers looking for US products.

You buy at a wholesale price and sell at a markup per order or container, or you earn a commission from the producer. Margins depend on the product, shipping and payment terms.

• Negotiating with suppliers and buyers
• Organizing orders, paperwork and shipments
• Patience with long sales cycles
• A language or knowledge of one target market is a plus

• Import rules, labeling and certificate requirements in the buyer's country, which vary widely, so check before quoting
• Whether the FDA, USDA or your state requires any registration or export certificate for your products, and who holds it, you or the supplier
• Payment risk: consider advance payment, letters of credit or trade credit insurance for new buyers
• Product liability and cargo insurance, ask an insurance broker what you need
• Whether your state or city requires a business license, and any restrictions on running the business from home

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your office setup, sample costs, travel and insurance. These are estimates. Products usually ship from the supplier's warehouse, so you may not need storage space.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your suppliers, overseas buyers and order sizes. These are estimates, and the business assumes at least about 10 hours of work a week.

Check import rules, labeling and certificate requirements in the buyer's country before quoting. Check whether the FDA, USDA or your state requires registration or an export certificate, and who holds it. Also check state or city business license rules and any home-business restrictions.