How Much Money My Importing Business Makes: An Insider's Breakdown

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “How much money do you actually make from your importing business?” Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a tradesman considering diversifying income, or a designer looking to control the supply chain, getting real numbers and honest insights is crucial. In this blog post, I’ll share a transparent view of what it’s like running an importing business in the UK—what it costs, how much it makes, and the lessons learned along the way.

My business focuses on importing home décor products—lighting fixtures, bespoke furniture pieces, and unique interior accessories from countries like Vietnam, India, and Turkey. These products are resold to architects, interior designers, tradesmen, and DIY customers across the UK via online platforms, trade partnerships, and direct sales. The details here will give you a real-world idea of what’s involved financially.

Initial Setup: What it Cost Me to Start

Before making any profit, I had to invest a decent amount of time and capital to get started. My startup expenses included legal fees, registering the business, finding suppliers, getting samples, and launching a website with eCommerce capability. I also invested in branding and initial marketing to create a presence.

Here’s roughly what the startup stage looked like:

• Company registration & legal: £800
• Product samples & supplier communication: £1,500
• Website design & hosting: £3,200
• Initial stock shipment & customs: £7,000
• Marketing launch (Ads, content, influencers): £2,000

Total setup cost: £14,500

I didn’t pay this all at once; some of it was spread over a few months, but it’s fair to say you’ll need around £10,000 to £15,000 to establish a small to mid-sized importing business with professional quality branding in the UK home improvement sector.

Revenue: How Much My Importing Business Makes Monthly

Once operations were up and running (usually 4 to 6 months in), I started experiencing regular monthly revenue. However, it’s vital to remember that revenue is not profit. I’ll break both numbers down clearly.

Across an average month, my importing business generates about £8,000 to £12,000 in revenue depending on demand cycles, especially around spring (home upgrades) and pre-Christmas (gift buying). Here’s a general snapshot of where the money comes from:

As you can see, the money doesn’t come from one source. Diversification helps steady the cash flow, especially since retail sales can be seasonal in the UK.

Profit Margins: What’s Left After All Costs?

The golden question: what do I actually take home as profit at the end of the month? After accounting for shipping, warehousing, packaging, VAT, transaction fees, marketing, and my own salary, my net profit usually ranges between £2,000 to £3,500/month.

Importing works well because the markup potential can be substantial—sometimes 200-300% on small items or statement pieces. However, larger items like furniture, while costlier to import and store, offer better bulk profits per order.

Key recurring costs I deal with monthly include:

• Import and logistics fees: £1,500
• Packaging and fulfilment: £900
• Warehouse storage: £500
• Marketing (digital ads, SEO): £800
• Website platform, plugins, and tools: £200

The good news is that this business can scale—for example, increasing Google traffic by 30% directly boosted revenue by £1,500+ in just two months. SEO, online content, and influencer outreach all directly impact monthly profits.

Seasonal Trends and Challenges

The UK market is very seasonal for home décor. You get strong surges around April to July (spring refreshes and renovations) and again in November to December (holiday gifting and end-of-year projects). However, January and August can be quieter—most people are either recovering from holidays or on them!

During slower months, I run promos and engage more actively with tradesmen or architects to fill the revenue gap with long-term custom orders or new B2B relationships.

Weather, delivery delays, customs clearance times, and currency fluctuations are also challenges. Even Brexit added complexity with documentation and tariffs. Budgeting for occasional cargo hold-ups or damaged stock is part of the game.

Is Running an Importing Business Worth It?

In short—yes, but only if you’re prepared. The financial rewards are attractive as the business matures and customer trust grows. It’s also incredibly rewarding being part of someone’s home improvement story—your product could become someone’s favourite lamp or centrepiece furniture piece.

For DIY lovers, designers, and home professionals, importing can also mean better control over product quality and variety compared to using UK-only wholesalers. For me personally, reaching a stable monthly net profit of £3,000+ with room for scalability is a win.

Plus, deadlines are flexible. I can work around my family and passion projects, knowing I control sourcing, sales, and delivery timelines.

Final Thoughts: Should You Start an Importing Business?

If you're a professional tradesman tired of thin supplier margins, a designer looking to elevate spaces with uncommon pieces, or a smart DIY enthusiast with an eye for design, importing could be your next leap forward. It’s not a get-rich-fast plan, but with consistency, smart sourcing, and strong branding, the earning potential is very real.

What makes this kind of business so powerful in the UK is our appetite for design and individuality—we love a statement piece, a cosy corner light, a walnut table that tells a story. If you can find it abroad, bring it here, and present it with a story, there’s plenty of money to be made.

So how much money does my importing business make? Enough to make it a sustainable, growing, and rewarding career—and one I’d recommend with the right planning and passion.