Reselling for profit UK: what to flip, where to find it and the tax
How to make money reselling in the UK: where to find stock cheaply, what sells well on eBay and Vinted, how to work out your profit after fees, and when it becomes taxable.
By SimonIn this guideShowHide
Reselling is how a lot of people, me included, get started selling online. It needs very little money to start and teaches you what sells.
Where to find stock
- Car boot sales: get there early for the best items. See my car boot sale tips.
- Charity shops: branded clothing, books, games and homeware.
- Clearance aisles: supermarket and high street end-of-season reductions.
- Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree: people giving away or underpricing furniture, tools and electronics to clear space.
- House clearances and auctions: bigger lots, more risk, more profit.
What tends to sell well
- Branded clothing and trainers in good condition
- Video games, consoles and retro tech
- LEGO, especially complete sets
- Branded kitchenware and small appliances
- Power tools
- Textbooks and some collectable books
- Vintage items, if you know the market
Before you buy, check sold listings on eBay to see what items really go for, not what people are asking.
Work out your profit before you buy
| Example: branded jacket | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bought at a charity shop | £8.00 |
| Sells on eBay for (with postage) | £35.00 |
| eBay fees as a business seller (about 12.9% plus 40p and 0.35%) | −£5.04 |
| Postage | −£3.50 |
| Packaging | −£0.30 |
| Profit before tax | £18.16 |
Aim for items you can sell for at least three times what you paid. That leaves room for fees, postage and the odd item that does not sell.
Tips from experience
- Start with what you know. If you know trainers or games, you will spot bargains others miss.
- Keep a simple spreadsheet of what you paid, what it sold for and the fees. It shows what is actually working, and it is your tax record.
- Do not let stock pile up. Money tied up in things that do not sell is the most common way resellers lose money.
- Photograph and list quickly. The faster items go online, the faster you get your money back.
Tax on reselling
Buying things to sell on for a profit is trading, even if it is small and part time. It is not the same as clearing out your own things.
- 2026/27: no tax or reporting if your trading income is £1,000 or less
- From 6 April 2027: that rises to £3,000
- Above that, register for Self Assessment and pay tax on your profit
Platforms report sellers with 30 or more sales, or about £1,700, in a calendar year to HMRC. Read more on tax on selling online.
Free toolSide hustle tax calculatorSee how much tax and National Insurance you owe on side income, and what to set aside each month.Common questions
How much can you make reselling?
It depends on how much time you put in and how good your sourcing is. Many people make a few hundred pounds a month part time. Some build it into a full-time business.
Is reselling legal in the UK?
Yes. You must describe items honestly, not sell counterfeits, and follow consumer law if you are a business seller, including accepting returns on most items.
Which platform is best for reselling?
eBay for the widest range, Vinted for clothes, Facebook Marketplace for bulky items collected locally. See selling on eBay and making money on Vinted.
This is general information, not personal tax or financial advice. Tax rules change and depend on your circumstances, so check GOV.UK or speak to an accountant before acting.