Do you want to start an export-import business? If so, find here a list of the top profitable export-import business ideas that can be started with low investment from home.
The ease of global trade and access to international markets have opened up huge scope for export-import business worldwide. While the business is extremely profitable, it’s really important to execute it very carefully. One needs to follow the guidelines properly. However, the most difficult part of starting an export-import business is choosing the right product/ products. Find here 50 such export-import business ideas which are making good profits presently.
You should have a clear understanding of the foreign market and trade. It is advised to start by approaching the market on a priority basis. Collect import data, research and plan. Also, make sure you go through all the specific laws dealing with international trade and foreign business in both countries.
List of 50 Export-Import Business Ideas
1. Car Parts Import & Export
You can start to import different car parts and machinery and transport them to sell in your country. There are countries like China, Germany, Japan, the United States, and South Korea that manufacture car parts on a large scale. You can import, or export them if you stay in any of these countries.
2. Logistics Expert
An export-import business depends on logistics heavily. You can help local exporters and importers to organize their inland logistics. This includes transport operations, processing, warehousing, and distribution in an effective way to cut down costs.
3. Tea Import-Export
The most drank beverage in the world after water, tea is preferred almost everywhere around the world. India and China being the biggest exporters of tea, you can import one of the finest tea in the world to your country. If you are in India or China, you can export it to other countries.
4. Export-Import Market Researcher
To enter a foreign market, you should have a clear understanding of the area and local market. Some specialists carry out export-import market research to analyze some foreign markets.
5. Silk Import
You can choose to import commercially produced silk from Asia. Silk has a huge demand in the European and North American markets. You can import silk products like natural silk yarns, fabrics, made-ups, readymade garments, silk carpets, and silk waste.
6. Export-Import Marketing Agency
Just like market research, marketing strategies differ from country to country. You can start a marketing agency to offer specialized marketing services for exporters and importers.
7. Readymade Garments
You can choose to produce readymade garments on a large scale and then export them to other countries. You may also import readymade clothes from countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India at cheaper rates.
8. Export-Import Inspection Agency
Companies often need an expert to inspect the supplier. You can start an agency to help companies check the quality. You can work both as an inspector and a sourcing agent. However, as an export-import inspector, you will have to focus more on product inspection.
9. Wood & Readymade Export-Import
You can import different kinds of wood or readymade furniture to sell in your country. You can also choose to export if there’s quality wood production on a large scale.
10. Export-Import Consulting Agency
With some experience in the export-import business, you can help others to start an export-import venture with your practical experience. You can start a consultancy and help others with your expertise. You can also help run businesses to solve issues and problems they face.
11. Processed Food Item Export
The food processing industry has seen massive growth over the last couple of decades. You can choose to produce any of the items to export them to other countries. Processed food items are accepted almost in all countries with minimal taxes.
12. Custom Warehousing Business
Multiple businesses need special custom warehouses. These are special warehouses where an importer keeps their products before the import customs procedures are finished. You can rent out your property for the process.
13. Pharmaceutical Products Export
Different countries often need special pharmaceutical products. Due to the unavailability of chemicals and resources, these countries import such pharmaceuticals. You can start a pharmaceutical products export business by signing up for international trade with these countries.
14. Organic Food Export
Organic products have a huge demand in the global market. You can start to cultivate without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The organic food export industry is growing rapidly across the market of the European Union, the US, Canada, Switzerland, Korea, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Southeast Asian countries, the Middle East, and South Africa.
15. Customs Agent
With some knowledge of international trade, you can choose to be a customs expert. You will have to deal with import and export customs, taxation, export, and import regulations, and customs procedures. You can also offer services to different businesses for filling complex import or export declarations.
16. Organic Chemical Export-Import
The organic chemical market is quite widespread. The sector has a wide range of products with good demand across Europe, North America, and Australia. You can choose to produce an organic chemical for industrial purposes and export them to these continents.
17. Machinery Import
Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea produce the best machinery. You can choose to import machinery to your country to sell them to small businesses. This includes machines and machinery parts. You can also tie up with domestic entrepreneurs to offer them monthly and yearly services.
18. Leather Export
While leather export and import are banned in several countries, the business continues to prosper. Some businesses require leather and hence often import them from other countries. Make sure you first check all the regulations before signing up or entering into a contract.
19. Dropshipping
The best way to start an e-commerce store or sell something online is to dropship. While you don’t need to manufacture or store anything, dropshipping allows you to carry out a business online, while the product will be manufactured and delivered by someone else in exchange for a fee.
20. Warehouse Rental Business
If you own any property near the seaports railway stations or airports, you can start to rent it out to international companies. Businesses will keep their importing or exporting products at their warehouses.
21. Freight Forwarding
With some knowledge of shipping and logistics, you can start a business around freight forwarding. The business also includes transportation and distribution. You can charge businesses to offer freight forwarding services to exporters and importers.
22. IOT Import
With technology being on the front foot of production and business, IoT is the new lead runner. IoT is now helping businesses to cut downtime, and costs and improve operations. China and the US are the largest exporters. You can import IoT for businesses related to transport, wellness, healthcare, buildings, homes, factories, agriculture, and more.
23. Glassware Import
Glass items are a big part of international trade. You can start a business around glassware products. You can either create glass items or export raw materials to makers in other countries.
24. Online Exporting
You can import different products in bulk and then sell these online with an added markup. Online exporting is a little different than drop shipping. You order products in bulk and then sell them. See what’s trending, and you can then import those products in bulk and sell them online.
25. Essential Oil Import-Export
There are different special essential oils required in multiple value-added products. There are only a handful of countries with these aroma plants. You can export these compounds to extract oil manually, or you can directly order these oils to use or sell them later.
26. Electronic Component Import
Electronic components are produced on a large scale in China. You can either choose to import these items or order them to deliver to other manufacturers. Both consumer items and industrial items require certain electronic components.
27. Export-Import Sourcing Agent
The business in an import-export industry requires special agents to facilitate the business. The sourcing agent acts as an overseas business development manager. You can offer your services to different businesses by helping them find the right clients.
28. Direct Exporting
Some businesses and companies directly import items to sell them in their country. It’s easy, as you just need to pay customs to sell them commercially. You can also produce a few items on a large scale to export the products to other countries.
29. Direct Importing
It’s easier to import and resell than produce, store, and distribute. You can import directly from countries and markets which produce these items at a cheaper rate. However, it’s important to choose the right product for importing and reselling in a perfectly competitive market.
30. Copper Import-Export
A widely popular metal, Copper is used for multiple purposes. From machine parts to wiring to electronic items, copper is an essential part of these products. Being a primary raw material for several products, you can choose to import copper to resell it to manufacturers in your country.
31. Coffee Import-Export
Coffee is globally one of the most exported beverages. The largest importers are Italy, Russia, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, Slovenia, Jordan, Australia, Greece, and Poland. You can choose to produce or acquire coffee to sell to other countries.
32. Bio-Chemicals Import
There is a wide range of products under biochemicals. There’s a considerable demand for biochemicals in Asian, European, and North American markets. You can find out specific markets to sell and export such specific items.
33. Agrochemicals Import
There is a considerable demand for agrochemical products in the global market. You can import different agrochemical items in bulk to distribute them to local and domestic sellers.
34. Computer Parts Export
Computers, parts, and other tech products are very popular in almost all the markets around the globe. You can start an exporting business where you can partner with a few direct exporters to sell computer parts and similar hardware in your own country.
35. Timber Export-Import
If you stay at a place where wood is cheap, you can start to export raw wood materials to different businesses. There are multiple countries where you can tie up with furniture companies. You can also manufacture furniture and similar products to directly ship them.
36. Paper Export-Import
You can ship out raw paper materials to countries where the paper is very costly. You can also tie up with different businesses in a country to directly export the papers in bulk. Paper is required in various manufacturing processes.
37. Smartphone & Mobile Parts Export Business
China and South Korea are the largest producers of smartphones and mobile technology products in the world. If you wish to sell your smartphones in your country, you can export these smartphones and sell them directly under a brand of your own.
38. Metal Import-Export
Several metals are only found in specific regions and countries. There are specific metals very popular for manufacturers and other types of businesses around the world. You can choose to import such metals to your country or export them if you are in such a precious metal-producing country.
39. Software Service Exports
You can start software services based on cloud computing. In such a business, you will be able to offer services via common online software. For support and backup, you can focus on selling those products or services to users in specific countries.
40. Engineering Imports
Manufacturing and electrical businesses often require specialized engineering products. Only a handful of countries manufacture these specialized engineering goods. You can import these products to sell them in your country.
41. Medical Equipment Import
There are only a few countries that manufacture specialized medical equipment. You can tie up with any of these manufacturers to export medical equipment facilities in your country. You can then partner with hospitals and medical centers to supply equipment and support services.
42. Custom Broking Services
You can offer custom broking services to help companies export and import goods from foreign nations. International business is subject to customs restrictions and inspection. You will help sellers and buyers with all the necessary documents and information for international trade.
43. Electrical Equipment Exports
China and South Korea create some of the cheapest and best electrical equipment and parts. You can tie up with any exporting company to export electrical equipment to your country. You can build a business out of electrical equipment exports to builders and retailers.
44. Compliance & Audit Services
You can help export and import companies investigate and audit trade. You need to know about all the compliance regulations and laws dealing with domestic and foreign trade agreements.
45. Tech Accessory Imports
Tech accessories are hugely popular almost everywhere. China, South Korea, and Japan are the biggest exporters. You can tie up with any exporting company or directly export tech accessories from these countries.
46. Honey Export-Import
The demand for honey has seen a major rise after people are now looking for natural sugars rather than processed ones. Either you can cultivate beehives to produce honey and export, it or import honey at a cheaper price to sell them in your country or state.
47. Cargo Tracking
Businesses involved in the export-import business always have the risk of losing items during transportation. You can provide companies with services that can reduce risk with cargo tracking. You can offer real-time location and tracking of the goods with safety and timely arrival of the cargo.
48. Import / Export Merchandising
Some manufacturers only produce good workout merchandise. You can partner with these sellers to help them pack, ship, and resell the goods. You can also tie up with retailers to sell products in bulk.
49. Export Management Company
While many domestic companies want to join the exporting business, most of them have no idea how to manage it. You can partner with domestic sellers to help them find buyers outside and provide assistance to manage their overseas operations.
50. Distribution Warehousing
You can offer warehousing distribution services to exporters and importers. The business deals with shipping and receiving products and then supplying them to different warehouses of different companies. You just need to care about transportation and supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Choose An Export-Import Business Idea?
First, obtain all the necessary import-export data. This will help you to pick a product and understand the matters associated with the foreign trade agreement. You should then use the data to find the market gap and pick up a product or business.
Make sure to collect the customs data and information as well.
You may also take the help of any research firm to prepare a market report. This will help you get deep into the market.
How To Plan An Export-Import Business?
Be it an export business or important, strategy is the key. Create a simple, practical, and flexible plan for a profitable and sustainable long-term business. First, you need to evaluate the competitive position of the market.
Secondly, keep a mark on currency fluctuations and foreign exchange.
You need to capitalize on the market demand and foreign exchange to bring in profit. Don’t only aim for profits. You need to improve the economic condition of the country where you are carrying out your business for a sustainable business.
An export-import business can be extremely given global economic fluctuations. You just need to plan it right and follow the market trends carefully!
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
