40 Money-Making Export Business Ideas

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Updated: November 16th, 2021

40 Money-Making Export Business Ideas

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 a consulting business ($300K/year)

How Much Can You Make?

$100 — $2,500,000/month

View all 34 case studies

Average Initial Investment

$7,739

Skills

Writing & Research Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Customer Service Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Akhil Suresh Nair from Boston, MA, USA started Xena Intelligence over 2 years ago, a consulting business.

Revenue: $25,000/ month
Founders: 1
Employees: 3
Location: Boston, MA, USA

Case Study

I had a couple of years of experience working for a large corporation back in India. I genuinely felt that I was just a cog in the wheel and that whatever I did had little to no impact in the real world.

We were at a crossroads at that time – filled with constant self-doubt about the career path we wanted to take. We could have easily applied for corporate jobs in the US or in India, but we chose to follow our hearts by continuing to work in our consulting business.

I reached out to a few small businesses I had developed good relationships during my corporate career and started helping them out on developing marketing strategy to scale their businesses and also to instill robust operational efficiencies in their business processes. I realized that I was able to add considerable value to their businesses and that I felt a sense of satisfaction in being able to make their lives better. I soon started consulting for over 20 small businesses in India.

how-two-friends-from-india-bootstrapped-a-management-consulting-business

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How Two Friends From India Bootstrapped A Management Consulting Business ➜

2. Start a dropshipping business ($0/year)

How Much Can You Make?

$6,000 — $3,000,000/month

View all 12 case studies

Average Initial Investment

$11,116

Time Commitment Per Week

Min. 10 hours/week

Skills

Negotiation Skills

Customer Service Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Marketing

Work Ethic

Time Management

Organizational

People Skills

Interests

Travel

Outdoors

Work

Sales

Ecommerce

Finance

Business model

E-Commerce

Amanda Austin from Erie, Pennsylvania, USA started Little Shop of Miniatures about 6 years ago, a dropshipping business.

Revenue: $/ month
Founders: 1
Employees: 0
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania, USA

Case Study

I was unhappily working in marketing for a Fortune 500 insurance company when I started looking at ways to create a new income stream. I became interested in ecommerce and invested in a course to learn more. I compiled a list of keywords for products that had decent search volume and not terribly competitive to rank for in organic search. I used Long Tail Pro to get ideas--I had so many when I first started!

My business is a small, mostly passive income stream and I’m okay with that. There is so much more I could be doing with my store, but right now I am loving the extra income stream that allows me to work part-time at my day job and spend more time with my infant daughter.

A bunch of keywords in the dollhouse miniatures space fit the bill. I used Long Tail Pro and looked for keywords that were competitive--which on there is a score in the twenties or low thirties. I also wanted them to have at least 2,000 searches per month. This is not a ton, but five keywords with that search volume that are not that competitive can lead to a decent number of organic traffic if you build your site the right way. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to find a niche with a nice handful of keywords you can rank for with quality content and a nice backlinking strategy. Don’t try to be number one for some saturated keyword that has a million searches a month. Go for keywords where you stand a chance of ranking--this is usually so-called long tail keywords that are really phrases--for example, “wooden dollhouse furniture” instead of just “dollhouse.”

how-i-started-a-part-time-dropship-business-on-shopify

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How I Started A Part Time Dropship Business On Shopify ➜

3. Start a clothing exports business

How Much Can You Make?

$1,333,333/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Negotiation Skills

Examples of a successful clothing exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a clothing exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a clothing exports business ➜

Case Study

Thanks for giving me this lovely opportunity, I’m Arpit Aryan Gupta and I’m currently running a garment export unit called NG Apparels that is based in Ludhiana, catering to all clothing segments across the globe.

My father lost a lot of money in the 2008 crash in the US market which pushed us out of the market and my father had to shut down his fabric trading business but I established the garment manufacturing business back in 2012 and with God’s grace the business has grown exponentially. I have a turnover of 12cr($1,581,547) without any loan or CC limit requirements.

how-we-bootstrapped-a-1-4m-year-clothing-manufacturing-business-from-ludhiana

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How We Bootstrapped A $1.4M/Year Clothing Manufacturing Business [Fro... ➜

4. Start a timber exportation business

Examples of a successful timber exportation business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a timber exportation business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a timber exportation business ➜

5. Start a meat exports business

Examples of a successful meat exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a meat exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a meat exports business ➜

6. Start an export brokerage business

Examples of a successful export brokerage business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a export brokerage business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an export brokerage business ➜

7. Start a rice exports business

Examples of a successful rice exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a rice exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a rice exports business ➜

8. Start a beauty products exports business

How Much Can You Make?

$380,536/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Negotiation Skills

Examples of a successful beauty products exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a beauty products exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a beauty products exports business ➜

Case Study

Zoella has a total net worth of more than $5 million as of January 2021.
She earned this fortune by uploading her YouTube videos and has almost a billion views.
She has 10.8 millions of subscribers on YouTube.
Her popularity made her appear in several advertisements and has also appeared on television.

Read the full story on influencermatchmaker.co.uk ➜

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Zoe Sugg - From Bedroom Blogger to Entrepreneur ➜

9. Start a construction exports business

Examples of a successful construction exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a construction exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a construction exports business ➜

10. Start a tech accessories exports business

Examples of a successful tech accessories exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a tech accessories exports business:

Learn more about starting a tech accessories exports business ➜

11. Start a custom brokerage business

Examples of a successful custom brokerage business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a custom brokerage business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a custom brokerage business ➜

12. Start a coal exports business

Examples of a successful coal exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a coal exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a coal exports business ➜

13. Start an used product exports business

Examples of a successful used product exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a used product exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an used product exports business ➜

14. Start a seafood exportation business

Examples of a successful seafood exportation business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a seafood exportation business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a seafood exportation business ➜

15. Start an electric equipment exports business

Examples of a successful electric equipment exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a electric equipment exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an electric equipment exports business ➜

16. Start a smatphone exports business

Examples of a successful smatphone exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a smatphone exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a smatphone exports business ➜

17. Start an agro-products exportation business

Examples of a successful agro-products exportation business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a agro-products exportation business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an agro-products exportation business ➜

18. Start a vehicle exports business

How Much Can You Make?

$2,300,000/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Negotiation Skills

Examples of a successful vehicle exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a vehicle exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a vehicle exports business ➜

Case Study

I am the founder and President of Marshal Group LLC, a licensed Illinois dealer specializing in exporting vehicles from the U.S. and Canada to destinations abroad.

Our first full year, 2008, we had $26MM in gross sales, working from the bedroom of my house with myself and my mom as the only two employees. Sales slowed in 2009 with the recession but from 2010 to 2015 we grew each year peaking at $50MM in sales and 650 vehicles sold.

how-i-started-a-2-3m-month-business-exporting-vehicles-abroad

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

19. Start a cashew nut exportation business

Examples of a successful cashew nut exportation business:

Ghana Nuts Company Limited

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cashew nut exportation business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a cashew nut exportation business ➜

20. Start an engineering exports business

Examples of a successful engineering exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a engineering exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an engineering exports business ➜

21. Start a computer exports business

Examples of a successful computer exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a computer exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a computer exports business ➜

22. Start a leather goods exportation business

How Much Can You Make?

$100,000/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Negotiation Skills

Examples of a successful leather goods exportation business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a leather goods exportation business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Get Started In Leather Crafting: Step-By-Step Techniques and Tips for Crafting Success (Design Originals) Beginner-Friendly Projects, Basics of Leather Preparation, Tools, Stamps, Embossing, & More

Learn more about starting a leather goods exportation business ➜

Case Study

Hi, my name is Jason Angelini, and I am a co-founder of American Bench Craft. American Bench Craft is a Veteran owned leather goods manufacturer based out of Wilmington, MA. We combine unique designs, sustainable sourcing, sturdy, high-quality materials, and reliable American craftsmanship to offer leather goods and gear that truly stand the test of time.

Our best selling products are our wallets and belts and the majority of our sales come from direct to consumer.

we-started-a-leather-manufacturing-business-from-our-parents-garage-1-2m-year

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We Started A Leather Manufacturing Business From Our Parents Garage [... ➜

23. Start a paper exports business

Examples of a successful paper exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper exports business ➜

24. Start a plastic exports business

Examples of a successful plastic exports business:

Plastics Today

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a plastic exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a plastic exports business ➜

25. Start a collectible exports business

Examples of a successful collectible exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a collectible exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a collectible exports business ➜

26. Start a machinery exports business

How Much Can You Make?

$142,000/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Negotiation Skills

Examples of a successful machinery exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a machinery exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a machinery exports business ➜

Case Study

Hello, my name is Thomas Bordier and with a few partners, we took over a dying B2B marketplace in 2003: Exapro. Today, our business is booming and we even acquired a competitor a couple of years back: Kitmondo.

Our purpose is to connect the Industrial World to optimize Manufacturing. This drives us to systematically consider new possible services in our sector. Today, we are working on a new project called Valorexo to help the market value better the prices of used machines.

i-bought-a-dying-used-machinery-marketplace-and-grew-it-to-1-7m-year

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

27. Start an auto parts exports business

Examples of a successful auto parts exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a auto parts exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an auto parts exports business ➜

28. Start a beverages exportation business

Examples of a successful beverages exportation business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a beverages exportation business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a beverages exportation business ➜

29. Start a chemical exports business

Examples of a successful chemical exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a chemical exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a chemical exports business ➜

30. Start a home goods exports business

Examples of a successful home goods exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a home goods exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a home goods exports business ➜

31. Start an art exports business

Examples of a successful art exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a art exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an art exports business ➜

32. Start a gem exports business

Examples of a successful gem exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a gem exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a gem exports business ➜

33. Start an export insurance service business

Examples of a successful export insurance service business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a export insurance service business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an export insurance service business ➜

34. Start an animal feed exports business

Examples of a successful animal feed exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a animal feed exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an animal feed exports business ➜

35. Start an export directory business

Examples of a successful export directory business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a export directory business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an export directory business ➜

36. Start a packaged food exports business

Examples of a successful packaged food exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a packaged food exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a packaged food exports business ➜

37. Start a pharmaceutical exports business

Examples of a successful pharmaceutical exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a pharmaceutical exports business:

Learn more about starting a pharmaceutical exports business ➜

38. Start a medical equipment exports business

Examples of a successful medical equipment exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a medical equipment exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a medical equipment exports business ➜

39. Start a livestock exports business

Examples of a successful livestock exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a livestock exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a livestock exports business ➜

40. Start a metal exports business

Examples of a successful metal exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a metal exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a metal exports business ➜

Pat Walls, Founder of Starter Story

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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.

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