40 Money-Making Export Business Ideas

Updated: July 24th, 2023

Interested to start an export business but not quite sure what to start?

The good news is, there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative product/service in this line of work.

If you're looking to start your own export business, there are several low-investment options you can choose from.

We put a list together below of the most profitable export business ideas you can start today!

Here they are:

1. Start an amazon business

How much you can make: $3,000 — $1,175,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started And Grew A $50K/mo Phone Case Business

Felony Case, a Toronto-based company designing unique iPhone cases, started as a small shop on Etsy and has grown to become an internationally recognized fashion iPhone case brand sold in top tier retailers like Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew, Indigo, Urban Outfitters, Revolve, Free People, and made over half a million dollars in revenue last year.

About
Andrew started Felony Case about 12 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $120K/month
Read by 27,877 founders

2. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding inventory.

Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, you buy the product from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.

To start a dropshipping business on a budget, choose a niche or category of products you want to sell.

Next, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, find reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress, list their products on your store, and focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.

Remember to carefully manage your expenses and monitor your profit margins to ensure profitability.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Mentoring Dropshipping Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

About
Kamil started E-commerce Mentoring about 7 years ago
Revenue
Kamil grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Kamil $1000 to start the business
Read by 24,250 founders

3. Start a clothing exports business

How much you can make: $1,333,333/month

How We Bootstrapped A $1.4M/Year Clothing Manufacturing Business [From Ludhiana]

NG Apparels is a garment export unit based in Ludhiana that caters to the clothing segments worldwide, boasting a turnover of $1,581,547 without loans or credit card limits.

About
Arpit started NG Apparels about 13 years ago
Revenue
Arpit grew the business to $1.33M/month
Costs
It cost Arpit $10000 to start the business
Read by 3,259 founders

4. Start a timber exportation business

5. Start a meat exports business

6. Start an export brokerage business

7. Start a rice exports business

8. Start a beauty products exports business

How much you can make: $380,536/month

Zoe Sugg - From Bedroom Blogger to Entrepreneur

Case study: How Zoella earned over $5 million through YouTube, with almost a billion views and over 10.8 million subscribers, and leveraged her popularity to secure lucrative advertising and television opportunities.

About
They started Zoella YouTube Channel about 15 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $381K/month
Read by 1,036 founders

9. Start a construction exports business

10. Start a tech accessories exports business

11. Start a custom brokerage business

12. Start a coal exports business

13. Start an used product exports business

14. Start a seafood exportation business

15. Start an electric equipment exports business

16. Start a smatphone exports business

17. Start an agro-products exportation business

18. Start a vehicle exports business

The vehicle exports business is a potentially lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs with a passion for the automotive industry and a desire to work internationally. This business involves purchasing vehicles from domestic manufacturers or dealerships and exporting them to foreign markets.

To run a successful vehicle export business, you must understand the global automotive market and the regulations and requirements for exporting vehicles to different countries. You will also need to establish relationships with manufacturers and dealerships to source your vehicles and with shipping companies to transport them overseas.

The benefits of running a vehicle exports business include the potential for high profits, as vehicles can often be purchased at a lower price domestically and sold for a higher price in a foreign market. Additionally, the global demand for vehicles is consistently high, providing a steady stream of potential customers.

Overall, the vehicle exports business is a challenging but rewarding venture for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to research and understand the global automotive market. With the proper knowledge and connections, this business can offer a fulfilling career in the exciting world of international trade.

How much you can make: $2,300,000/month

How I Started A $2.3M/Month Business Exporting Vehicles Abroad

Learn how one entrepreneur, without a college degree, built a vehicle exporting business from his bedroom to $26 million in gross sales his first year and went on to net an impressive $2.3M per month through agile team management, technology integration, and cultivating relationships with global auto dealers and brokers.

About
Nathan started Marshal Group LLC over 16 years ago
Revenue
Nathan grew the business to $2.3M/month
Read by 16,674 founders

19. Start a cashew nut exportation business

Consider cashew nuts if you are considering venturing into a nuts production business. Cashew nuts feature many health benefits, making them a popular edible snack.

According to recent statistics, global production of cashew nuts ranges between 720 and 790 thousand metric tons annually.

To state cashew nuts exportation business, research the global market and target the highest cashew nut consuming countries.

20. Start an engineering exports business

21. Start a computer exports business

A computer export business involves selling computers and related products to international markets.

To start this business, first, research and identify reliable computer suppliers or manufacturers.

Then, establish an export plan, considering shipping logistics, regulations, and potential markets.

Finally, create an online platform to showcase your products, build relationships with international buyers, and gradually expand your business globally.

22. Start a leather goods exportation business

How much you can make: $100,000/month

We Started A Leather Manufacturing Business From Our Parents Garage [$1.2M/Year]

American Bench Craft, a Veteran-owned leather goods manufacturer, shares their success story, with an annual revenue of over $1 million, due to their unique designs, sustainable sourcing, and reliable American craftsmanship, as well as their use of Klaviyo and local PR for marketing, and their focus on direct-to-consumer sales and corporate gifts.

About
Jason started American Bench Craft over 10 years ago
Revenue
Jason grew the business to $100K/month
Read by 3,406 founders

23. Start a paper exports business

24. Start a plastic exports business

25. Start a collectible exports business

26. Start a machinery exports business

Hundreds of manufacturers are looking for platforms where they can buy the latest machinery in a hassle-free manner. Whether you are assembling machinery or an entrepreneur interested in starting your machinery exports, an online business can be a profitable venture.

You can start a new or used machinery business and sell the equipment at the best price, such that you are maximizing the profit margins.

How much you can make: $142,000/month

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

I Bought A Dying Used Machinery Marketplace And Grew It To 1.7M$/Year

French entrepreneur Thomas Bordier took over a failing B2B marketplace in 2003 which now grows the industrial machinery resale market with 300 yearly auctions and an annual $1.7 million turnover from over 25 million worldwide assets promoting offers for over 600 transactions yearly and now launching a new project, Valorexo to create better pricing for used machinery.

About
Thomas started Exapro over 20 years ago
Revenue
Thomas grew the business to $142K/month
Costs
It cost Thomas $30000 to start the business
Read by 4,454 founders

27. Start an auto parts exports business

28. Start a beverages exportation business

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

29. Start a chemical exports business

30. Start a home goods exports business

31. Start an art exports business

32. Start a gem exports business

33. Start an export insurance service business

34. Start an animal feed exports business

The animal feed export industry involves the production and distribution of nutritious food for livestock, namely cattle, poultry, and pigs, to markets outside the country of origin.

The process entails the formulation of feeds that cater to the specific nutritional requirements of different animals.

In this industry, entrepreneurs source high-quality raw materials, manufacture the feed, and then export the final products to countries where there is a demand for quality animal nutrition.

This business opportunity is highly lucrative due to the increasing global demand for meat and dairy products.

The growing demand is driving the need for efficient and high-quality animal feed to support the rapid expansion of the livestock industry.

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

35. Start an export directory business

Publishing an electronic copy of export businesses can make you rich. Millions of entrepreneurs globally are looking for income and business opportunities through online directories.

You can start by creating a simple import/export directory that features information about global manufacturers, wholesalers, and agents seeking to expand their product lines.

36. Start a packaged food exports business

37. Start a pharmaceutical exports business

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

38. Start a medical equipment exports business

39. Start a livestock exports business

40. Start a metal exports business

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.