Bring unique products from around the world to local customers. Specialty imports offer products customers can't easily find elsewhere.
Consider these related business ideas and specializations:
Bring unique products from around the world to local customers. Specialty imports offer products customers can't easily find elsewhere.
Consider these related business ideas and specializations:
San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:
Test this idea before investing heavily:
Import a small shipment (under $800 to stay under some duty thresholds) of products you believe will sell locally. Track all costs, list at farmers markets or local shops, and measure response.
What's the true landed cost per item? How do customers respond? What price points work? How long does the import process take?
You sell out at prices that cover all costs plus reasonable profit, and customers ask when you'll have more.
Expected startup and operating expenses:
Areas where quality investment pays off:
You can't easily return international shipments. Receiving low-quality or counterfeit goods costs you the shipment plus damages your reputation.
Good enough: Start with suppliers who will send samples, or order small test batches. Build trust before large orders.
Cutting corners on customs (undervaluing, mislabeling) can result in seized shipments, fines, and inability to import in the future.
Good enough: Learn the rules for your product category or use a customs broker for complex shipments.
Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:
Financial timing and planning notes:
Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:
Join shomby today and start selling to your local community. We provide the platform—you bring the passion.
We build shomby around your business—not the other way around. If there's a feature, integration, or tool that would help your specialty imports business succeed, we want to hear about it.
Hunt for treasures and sell curated vintage items. Success comes from knowing your niche, understanding values, and presenting items attractively.
Build a resale clothing business with carefully selected pieces. Sustainable fashion is growing as consumers seek quality over fast fashion.
Buy and sell collectibles for passionate hobbyists. Deep knowledge in specific collecting areas allows you to find undervalued items and connect them with collectors.
San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:
Test this idea before investing heavily:
Import a small shipment (under $800 to stay under some duty thresholds) of products you believe will sell locally. Track all costs, list at farmers markets or local shops, and measure response.
What's the true landed cost per item? How do customers respond? What price points work? How long does the import process take?
You sell out at prices that cover all costs plus reasonable profit, and customers ask when you'll have more.
Expected startup and operating expenses:
Areas where quality investment pays off:
You can't easily return international shipments. Receiving low-quality or counterfeit goods costs you the shipment plus damages your reputation.
Good enough: Start with suppliers who will send samples, or order small test batches. Build trust before large orders.
Cutting corners on customs (undervaluing, mislabeling) can result in seized shipments, fines, and inability to import in the future.
Good enough: Learn the rules for your product category or use a customs broker for complex shipments.
Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:
Financial timing and planning notes:
Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:
Join shomby today and start selling to your local community. We provide the platform—you bring the passion.
We build shomby around your business—not the other way around. If there's a feature, integration, or tool that would help your specialty imports business succeed, we want to hear about it.
Hunt for treasures and sell curated vintage items. Success comes from knowing your niche, understanding values, and presenting items attractively.
Build a resale clothing business with carefully selected pieces. Sustainable fashion is growing as consumers seek quality over fast fashion.
Buy and sell collectibles for passionate hobbyists. Deep knowledge in specific collecting areas allows you to find undervalued items and connect them with collectors.