Wholesale importer with a small warehouse

Regional retailers, restaurants, contractors, offices and online sellers who want reliable supply and shorter lead times than ordering direct from overseas.

You earn the margin between your landed cost and your wholesale price. Larger volumes lower your unit cost, and standing orders from regular customers give steadier income.

• Supplier negotiation
• Managing cash flow and inventory
• Business-to-business sales
• Handling shipping paperwork

• Customs bond requirements, duties and tariffs, confirm costs with a licensed customs broker before ordering
• Product-specific rules and labeling from agencies such as CPSC, FDA, USDA or FCC, check which apply to your goods
• Payment terms with overseas suppliers and currency swings that can squeeze margins
• Product liability and cargo insurance, ask an insurance broker what you need
• Zoning and lease terms for warehouse space, and workers' compensation insurance once you hire
• Large upfront stock costs, start with one product line to limit risk

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the size of your first orders, your product line and your warehouse or fulfillment space. Starting with one product line helps limit upfront stock costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your product line, your margins, payment terms and how many regular business customers you supply. The estimate assumes about 30 hours a week or more.

Check customs bond requirements, duties and tariffs with a licensed customs broker. Check product-specific rules and labeling from agencies such as CPSC, FDA, USDA or FCC. Also ask about product liability and cargo insurance, warehouse zoning and lease terms, and workers' compensation once you hire.