Can I sell handmade goods online?

HEW1983

Hi,

This is my first time in the forums so I apologise if this question isn't in the right place!

I make beaded jewellery during my spare time and recently have wondered about selling it via my Facebook page. I am not anticipating making much profit on the items once the cost of beads and the other equipment is taken into account, and I am not looking to advertise my 'business' and turn it into my sole method of employment since I am employed at the moment.

My question is whether I need to register with HMRC, and how I go about this? I completed a VAT questionnaire and that suggested that I wouldn't have to get involved in that.

Any other advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated too!

Thanks in advance,
Helen.

texranger

HEW1983 wrote: »

Hi,

This is my first time in the forums so I apologise if this question isn't in the right place!

I make beaded jewellery during my spare time and recently have wondered about selling it via my Facebook page. I am not anticipating making much profit on the items once the cost of beads and the other equipment is taken into account, and I am not looking to advertise my 'business' and turn it into my sole method of employment since I am employed at the moment.

My question is whether I need to register with HMRC, and how I go about this? I completed a VAT questionnaire and that suggested that I wouldn't have to get involved in that.

Any other advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated too!

Thanks in advance,
Helen.

A VAT questionaire will only tell you that you will or wont need to register for VAT.

i suppose you will be selling these handmade products at a profit, which therefore you will need to register as self employed (you can do this and still be employed)

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/register-selfemp.htm

HEW1983

Thanks texranger - you've answered my question I don't think I need to worry about National Insurance contributions since I don't expect my income to be that high, and I do pay NI contributions in my current job. So, to begin selling my jewellery, do I just need to fill in the relevant forms with HMRC? Sorry to come across as dense, but it's something I really want to do but I want to make sure I do it correctly!

Helen.

InsideInsurance

You can fill in the forms or just phone them up and register via the phone, its all very straight forward.

You'll probably also want to consider selling via the likes of Etsy and Folksy which are market places for people to sell their handmade crafts.

texranger

HEW1983 wrote: »

Thanks texranger - you've answered my question I don't think I need to worry about National Insurance contributions since I don't expect my income to be that high, and I do pay NI contributions in my current job. So, to begin selling my jewellery, do I just need to fill in the relevant forms with HMRC? Sorry to come across as dense, but it's something I really want to do but I want to make sure I do it correctly!

Helen.

being self employed you will still be liable for class 2 NI contributions, but call them to register and ask them these questions

Savvy_Sue

texranger wrote: »

being self employed you will still be liable for class 2 NI contributions, but call them to register and ask them these questions

However, if your profit / earnings from self employment is less than about £5000, AND you are already paying NI in your PAYE job, it's best to ask for a Small Earnings Exemption Certificate from HMRC, because then you don't have to pay class 2 NICs and there is no advantage in doing so.

texranger

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

However, if your profit / earnings from self employment is less than about £5000, AND you are already paying NI in your PAYE job, it's best to ask for a Small Earnings Exemption Certificate from HMRC, because then you don't have to pay class 2 NICs and there is no advantage in doing so.

yes forgot about that

Premier_2

Don't forget to get yourself appropriate insurance if you plan to start selling your products.

You'll also need to consider legal labelling requirements. e.g. not suitable for children under x years old if the product contains small parts.

texranger

Premier wrote: »

Don't forget to get yourself appropriate insurance if you plan to start selling your products.

You'll also need to consider legal labelling requirements. e.g. not suitable for children under x years old if the product contains small parts.

yes you will need insurance.

try

http://www.gmimberltd.com/Proposals/Brit%20Craft%20Insure.pdf


they will give you all liabilities and cover stock.. these specialise in craft businesses