Home-Based jewelry export dealer

Independent boutiques, gift shops, small chains and distributors in other countries looking for American-made pieces.

You buy at wholesale and sell at a markup, usually with a minimum order per buyer. Your margin has to cover shipping, duties handling, payment fees and samples.

• Sales and negotiating by email and video call
• Organizing orders, paperwork and shipments
• An eye for what sells in a specific market

• Import rules, duties and hallmarking or metal purity requirements in each destination country, check before you quote
• Export filing and recordkeeping rules for shipments, ask a customs broker or freight forwarder what applies
• Marketing claims about gold, silver or gemstones, check the FTC Jewelry Guides
• Payment risk with new overseas buyers, consider upfront payment or secure payment terms
• Insure shipments, since jewelry is high value and often lost or delayed
• Check your city or county for a business license and any home occupation rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your niche, how much sample stock you carry and your shipping setup. Many dealers start small, often buying only what a buyer has already ordered.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your niche, the buyers you win and order sizes. That is revenue, not profit, since you still pay makers, shipping and insurance. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

Check import rules, duties and hallmarking or metal purity requirements in each destination country before you quote. Also ask a customs broker or freight forwarder about export filing and recordkeeping, and review the FTC Jewelry Guides for any claims about gold, silver or gemstones.