Introduction
Can You Really Run An Export Business With A Nine To Six Job?
Imagine this You are working at your nine to six job and at the same time your export business is making a lot of money on the side. This sounds impossible It is not impossible.
Many people in Pakistan have already done this. They started working on their export business part time while they were still working at their jobs and they built very successful export businesses that gave them the freedom to quit their jobs and work full time on their export business. The secret to doing this is not a formula. It is just about selling the right products and having a good plan and spending one or two hours every day working on your export business.
In this guide we will tell you how to start an export business while you are still working at your job in Pakistan. We will tell you about the five products for people who are just starting out. We will tell you how to find people who want to buy your products. We will tell you how to set the price of your products. We will also tell you about people who have already started export businesses. Whether you live in Karachi or Lahore or somewhere else, in Pakistan this guide will help you build an export business from scratch.
Table of Contents
- You can start an export business even when you have a job
- What makes a product good for export there are three things
- Working with the people who supply and make the products
- Getting the products to the buyers this is about freight and customs
- Finding people who want to buy the things you export
- Making a website that looks professional and gets orders
- You have to sign up on these platforms that connect businesses
- Figuring out the price of the products this is called FOB price
- The best products to export from Pakistan here are five
- People who started exporting part time and did very well
- When is the right time to leave your job and export time
- Final thoughts, on export business
1. Why You Can Start An Export Business While You Are Working At A Job
People think that to start an export business you need an office and a lot of employees and you have to know a lot about international trade.. That is not true.
Many people in Pakistan started exporting with a laptop and they wanted to grow their business They were determined. They knew the basics of exporting They did not have an office or a lot of employees They just knew what to do They worked on it every day.
The important thing to know is that you do not have to be all the time for an export business. It is not, like a store where you have to be every day. You can set it up so that other people handle the products and the paperwork and the shipping. You just have to find people who want to buy your products and get paid.
This is why you can do it while you are working at another job You can manage an export business and a full-time job at the time because export business does not require you to be there all the time.
2. The 3 Essential Qualities of a Good Export Product For Job Holders
You are busy with your job Only have evenings and weekends free So the product you choose to export must have qualities Here are three essential things to look for:
✅ Quality #1: Available in Pakistan Preferably Nearby
You do not have time to travel far to get your product. It should be available near you or easily accessible within Pakistan This will save you time. Reduce stress.
✅ Quality #2: Consistent Repeat Demand
The product should be something that buyers need again and again This means you will get orders Consistent orders are the foundation of an export business.
✅ Quality #3: Lightweight and Easy to Ship
Do not choose bulky products at first Also avoid products that can spoil quickly These products are difficult to manage while working a job Start with light products.
Pro Tip: As a beginner job-holder exporter do not export products unless you know a lot, about that area The risk is too high The logistics are too complicated.
3. How to Work with Suppliers and Manufacturers
You cannot make the products yourself when you have a full-time job so your business needs to be about working with the suppliers or manufacturers.
Here is what you need from your suppliers:
- Consistent product quality. People who buy from you will come back only if the quality of the products does not change from one order to another
- Understanding of export packing standards Your suppliers need to know how to pack the goods so they can be shipped to countries
- Delivery If the goods are delayed you can lose the people who buy from you and your reputation can be damaged
- Willingness to prepare orders when you need them This includes working on weekends if necessary
When you find the suppliers and manufacturers and you start working with them about 80 percent of the work related to making the products is taken care of.
Your job is to do the work: find people who want to buy from you take their orders and get paid.
To find suppliers you can look in these places:
- wholesale markets in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad
- Industrial estates in Sialkot, Kasur
- Farming communities in Khushab, Khairpur and rural areas of Punjab and Sindh
You should always have 2 to 3 suppliers that you work with so you have options if you need to compare prices or check if something is available. This way you always have a plan, with your suppliers.
4. Handling Freight Forwarding and Customs Clearing
When you start exporting it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the stuff. Like customs papers, shipping procedures and bills of lading. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to know it all away.
You just need to hire two people:
🔹 Clearing Agent
A clearing agent handles all the customs stuff They do things like:
- Manage all the paperwork for customs
- Clear customs for you
- Prepare all the export documents to send to the buyer
- Deliver all the papers to you in person or by courier
🔹 Freight Forwarder
The freight forwarder takes care of all the shipping stuff, like the bill of lading and other shipping papers.
The good news is that most clearing agents can also handle freight forwarding these days. So you might only need to hire one person for both jobs.
Your job as the exporter is to focus on the buyer collect the payment and let the experts handle the rest. As you make shipments you’ll start to understand the process better.. At first focus on what makes you money: building relationships, with buyers and making sales.
5. How to Find Buyers for Your Export Business
This is the question that beginner exporters ask a lot and it makes sense Without buyers you do not have an export business.
Narinder Maheshwari says that the main thing to do is not to look for buyers but to get them to come to you. The best way to find buyers from countries is not to call them out of the blue or send them lots of emails. It is to put yourself where buyers are already looking.
There are three ways to do this:
Method 1: Your Own Website That People Can Find on Google (This Is the Best Way)
If you have a good website that shows up on Google when people search for export things this is the best way to find buyers When people from the USA or Europe or the Gulf look for products, on Google they can find your website. Then they get in touch with you directly by WhatsApp or email.
Narinder Maheshwari says that if your website shows up well on Google, then 80% of your work is already done. When your website is doing well on Google you get lots of people asking about your export business without having to pay any money.
Method 2: B2B Platforms
You need to sign up your company on all the B2B export platforms. Spend some time on them every day like one or two hours. Some important platforms are:
- Platform: Alibaba, Website: alibaba.com
- Platform: TradeKey, Website: tradekey.com
- Platform: Export Hub, Website: exporthub.com
- Platform: Go For World Business, Website: goforworld.com
Make a profile for your company on these B2B platforms Add pictures of your products and write descriptions that are easy to understand. Lots of buyers use these B2B platforms every day to find suppliers for the things they need.
Method 3: Social Media Marketing
Using media to get the word out can really help get people to ask about buying from you especially if you also have a good website that people can look at.
6. How to Create a Professional Website That Gets Orders
A website is the investment you can make in your export business. It works for you all the time even when you are busy with your job.
Here is what your export website needs:
- A professional design that makes you look credible internationally
- Clear product pages with details like specifications packing details and minimum order quantity
- Contact forms and WhatsApp integration for communication with buyers
- SEO optimization. Your site must show up on Google to get buyers inquiring naturally
The website needs to be built properly and then ranked using Search Engine Optimization. Once it is ranked it keeps bringing in buyers without you having to look for them.
If you are in Pakistan Narendras IT firm, in Karachi specializes in building websites for exports and ranking them on Google for buyers.
7. The Importance of Product Knowledge and Presentation
People who are just starting out often forget something even if buyers find the Product they will not buy the Product from you unless you can answer their questions quickly and confidently.
Before you start talking to buyers about the Product you need to know everything about the Product.
You need to know things like:
- How many units of the Product fit in one container?
- What is the weight of the Product per unit or bale or carton?
- What are the options, for packing the Product?
- What are the different quality grades of the Product that are available?
- What are the payment terms that you offer for the Product?
The people who supply the Product to you will teach you all of this information. You should ask them about the Product. You should take notes about the Product. After you have asked about the Product two or three times you will remember the common answers and you will be able to respond to buyers right away. Which makes you look very professional when it comes to the Product.
8. How to Calculate Your FOB Price
When someone wants to buy something from you they will ask for the price. You have to tell them the FOB Karachi price. This means the price of the item when it is, on the ship and ready to leave Karachi.
To calculate the FOB Karachi price you need to follow some steps. Here is what you do:
| Component | What It Includes |
|---|---|
|
1. Product Price |
The cost you pay your supplier, including packaging |
|
2. Local Transportation |
Cost to move goods from your supplier’s location to Karachi port/airport |
|
3. Customs Clearing Charges |
Agent fees, warehousing, documentation — typically a fixed rate per container |
|
4. Freight Forwarding Charges |
Local charges by the freight forwarder |
|
5. Your Profit Margin |
The profit you wish to earn on the shipment |
To get the FOB Karachi price you need to add all five components together This will give you the FOB Karachi price.
When you talk to buyers remember to do the following things:
1. Tell them the FOB price in a way: “Our FOB Karachi price is USD X per MT or per kg or per unit.”
2. If the buyers ask for the CNF price you should ask them which port they want the goods to be sent to. Then you need to check the freight cost with your forwarder. After that you add the freight cost to the FOB Karachi price. Send them the new quote.
This way of giving prices to buyers is very professional. It makes a good impression, on international buyers.. It can really help you close the deal with the FOB Karachi price. The FOB Karachi price is what you want to focus on.
9. The 5 Best Export Products to Start With in Pakistan (A Detailed Guide)
Now the important part of this guide. The five products you can start exporting alongside your full-time job with low investment and high profit potential.
🧂 Product #1: Himalayan Pink Salt
Why its perfect for beginners: Pink salt from Pakistan is really popular worldwide. People love it for cooking and for making wellness products. It is mined from the Khewra Salt Mines in Khushab.
Key Markets: USA, Europe Middle East
Use Cases: Cooking, health products, lamps, bath salts, spa treatments
Why it works for people with a full-time job:
- You can easily get salt from factories in Khushab.
- The logistics are simple.
- You can talk to suppliers on the phone.
- You do not have to worry about it getting bad.
- You can sell it in bulk or with your brand.
Action Steps:
- Contact 2-3 factories in Khushab, Punjab.
- Make your brand name and packaging.
- Put your product on your website and B2B platforms.
- Target importers and grocery stores in the USA and Europe.
Pro Tip: If you create your brand for pink salt you can earn more and be different, from others who just sell in bulk.
🧹 Product #2: Cotton Waste / Wiping Rags
Why it’s perfect for beginners:
This is really a business idea in Pakistan. Many industrial companies, factories and warehouses around the world use wiping rags and cotton waste for cleaning.
Key Markets: Australia, Europe, UAE
Target Buyers: Factories, warehouses, automotive workshops and industrial cleaning companies
Why it works for job holders:
- Raw material is easily available near textile hubs in Pakistan, like Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi.
- You can start with orders to test the business.
- The initial investment required is low.
- You can outsource sorting and packing to suppliers.
Types of wiping rags you can export:
- wiping rags
- New wiping rags
- Cotton cleaning mops
- Textile waste
- Terry needled shining pads
- Terry bar mops
Action Steps:
- Contact dealers who sell textile waste near textile industrial zones.
- Learn how to sort and grade rags.
- Sell directly to companies and factories overseas.
🌾 Product #3: Wheat Straw and Root Grass (Animal Feed)
This product is really great for people who are just starting out. If you live in an semi-rural area of Pakistan then Wheat Straw and Root Grass is a very good option for you. People in Gulf countries really want to buy Wheat Straw and Root Grass to feed their animals.
Key Markets: UAE, Qatar, Oman
Target Buyers: Livestock farms, animal feed suppliers in the Gulf
Wheat Straw and Root Grass is also good for people who have jobs.
- The cost of getting started is very low
- You can make a lot of money from it
- People in Gulf countries always want to buy Wheat Straw and Root Grass
- It is an idea if you have family or friends who are farmers
To make sure Wheat Straw and Root Grass is good to sell you have to do a few things:
- The Wheat Straw and Root Grass must be completely dry. If it is wet it will not be good
- You have to compress the straw into bales
- You should work with a farmer or supplier who you trust to reduce problems
Here are the steps you can follow:
- Find a good farmer or supplier in your area
- Work with them to compress the straw into bales
- Try to sell to people who import animals in the UAE, Qatar and Oman
One good thing to remember: if you work with people from your community you will be less likely to have problems, with fake products or trouble getting the products to the people who want to buy them.
👕 Product #4: Ready-Made Clothes and Terry Towels
Why it’s perfect for newcomers:
Pakistan is really good at making textiles This is one area where Pakistan has a reputation and you can benefit from it without spending a lot on manufacturing.
Key Markets: USA, Europe, Middle East, Far East
Products: T-shirts, bedsheets, bath towels, hand towels, terry bar mops, workwear
Why it works for people with jobs:
- There are small clothing factories and suppliers in Pakistan.
- These suppliers already know how to pack goods for export so you don’t have to train them.
- You just need to tell them what you want. They take care of the rest.
- You only need to be present when loading goods, which can be done on weekends.
Action Steps:
- Get in touch with clothing factories or suppliers in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad.
- Clearly state what you want: type of product, quantity, quality and packing requirements.
- Schedule loading, for weekends.
- Sell to importers, distributors and retail chains in your target market.
🧤 Product #5: Leather Garments and Accessories (Highest Profit Margin)
Why it’s perfect for beginners:
This product is really great for those who are just starting out. Leather garments and accessories make a lot of money and the government of Pakistan gives a lot of export rebates on these items. That makes it very attractive.
Key Markets: USA, Canada, Germany, UAE
Products: Leather gloves, leather jackets, leather wallets, belts, fashion accessories
Why it works for job holders:
- Pakistan makes good leather and people know it worldwide.
- When you make products you can sell them for much more than raw leather.
- These products are lightweight so they are easy and cheap to ship.
- Many people around the world want leather products.
- The government gives incentives for exporting these items.
Where to find manufacturers:
- Sialkot is famous for making leather goods.
- Kasur is a hub for leather production.
- Lahore has a leather industry.
- Karachi has small leather factories, especially in areas like Lyari and Agra Taj.
Action Steps:
- Visit or contact leather goods manufacturers in Sialkot or Kasur.
- Start with orders to test the products.
- Create a product catalog with photos.
- Target fashion importers, boutiques and distributors, in the USA, Germany and Canada.
10. Real-Life Success Stories Part-Time Exporters Who Made It
I want to tell you about two people who started export businesses while they were working full-time jobs.
Story #1 is about The Wheat Straw Exporter.
This person was working at a company. They also started exporting wheat straw on the side. They found a local supplier to work with made a website to find international buyers and did all the work in their free time. They would load things on the weekends so it did not get in the way of their job. Now The Wheat Straw Exporter is exporting time thank God because their export income is steady and they can make a good living from it.
Story #2 is about The Dates Exporter.
This person came from a family that was already, in the dates business. They started exporting high-quality dates from Khairpur while they were working at a bank. They used the suppliers their family already knew got a website and social media set up and used their weekends to go to Khairpur and check on things. They are almost ready to quit their job at the bank and focus on exporting time.
These two stories have some things in common.
- The Wheat Straw Exporter and The Dates Exporter both started exporting time, not full-time
- They both used professional websites to find buyers
- They both did the physical work, like loading and inspecting on the weekends
- They were both patient and consistent and their businesses grew slowly
- The Wheat Straw Exporter and The Dates Exporter did not quit their jobs until they were sure their export income was stable
11. When Should You Quit Your Job Go Full-Time?
This is an important question And the answer is do not do it too soon.
Here is what you need to think about before you decide to go time with your export business:
- ✅ You are getting regular orders from at least 2-3 buyers over and over
- ✅ The money you make from exporting is equal to or more than your salary for at least 3-6 months, in a row
- ✅ You have a good group of suppliers that you can count on to help your business grow
- ✅ You have enough money saved to pay your personal expenses for at least 3-6 months
- ✅ You really believe in the future of your export business
Remember: your family is counting on you. Do not make decisions. Wait until your export business is doing well before you quit your job.
The best thing to do is to start your export business as a part-time job until it makes money than your regular job. Then you can quit your job and focus on your export business with confidence not because you have to.
12. Thoughts: Your Export Journey Starts Today
Starting an export business while having a full-time job in Pakistan is definitely possible. Many ordinary people have done it before you.
Here is what you need to do:
- Choose a product that’s right, for you from the 5 listed above.
- Find a supplier that you can trust.
- Get a clearing agent to help with customs and shipping.
- Create a website that buyers can find easily on search engines.
- Sign up on B2B platforms. Use them every day for about an hour or two.
- Learn everything about your product so you can answer buyer questions confidently.
- Make sure your prices are accurate and quote them correctly.
- Be patient. Keep working hard. Orders will come.
It won’t happen overnight. At first it will be slow. You will have to work hard. Managing your job during the day and your export business at night. But if you keep going choose the product and use the right plan your part-time export business can become a great way to earn a living.
