Natural stone export agent

Overseas stone distributors, stonemasons and building contractors. Quarries may also pay you a fee or commission for finding them export customers.

A commission, usually a percentage of each order, paid by the quarry, or a markup built into the price you quote the buyer. Orders can be large but irregular, so income may come in lumps.

• Sales and negotiating by email and video call
• Organizing paperwork and shipments
• Learning stone types, finishes and grades
• Patience with long sales cycles

• Get a written agent or commission agreement with each quarry so you are paid if the buyer reorders
• Check export rules for each shipment, including export filing requirements, screening of buyers against government restricted-party lists, and the destination country's import rules
• Payment risk with new overseas buyers. Ask a bank or adviser about letters of credit or payment up front
• Check whether your state or city requires a business license, and any home occupation rules or HOA limits for working from home
• Cargo damage claims: stone is heavy and can chip or crack, so check that marine cargo insurance and packing standards are in place

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on samples, travel, website and communication tools. This is an estimate, and working from home keeps overhead low because the quarry or a freight forwarder handles loading.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on the orders you win and your commission terms. This is an estimate, and sales cycles can be long, so early months may bring little income.

Check export rules for each shipment, including filing requirements, screening buyers against restricted-party lists and the destination country's import rules. Get a written commission agreement with each quarry, and check marine cargo insurance, payment risk and local business license rules.