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Charity shop flipping
Charity shop flipping means buying donated items and reselling them, often through online marketplaces. Start small, check likely resale prices before buying, and treat any example earnings as one person’s experience rather than a promise.
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- Buy second-hand items from charity shops.
- Choose items people may want to buy.
- Check prices before you spend money.
- Take clear photos and describe each item honestly.
- Sell online, then pack and post sold items.
- Keep records and check your local tax rules.
Who it suits
Suits people who enjoy browsing, can spot condition and brand details, and are happy to photograph, list and pack items. You will need somewhere to store stock and should check that your chosen platform allows you to use it.
People pay for second-hand items they like, need or cannot easily find elsewhere. Good photos, accurate details and fair prices can help buyers decide, but some items may not sell.
Step by step
- Choose one item category to learn first. Pick a category such as menswear, footwear or knitwear. Compare similar items so you can learn how condition, brands and asking prices differ. Keep the category small until you understand what buyers look for. About 30 minutes.
- Set a stock budget you can afford. Decide the maximum you can have tied up in items that may take time to sell. Include money for packaging and any costs you may have to cover. Do not borrow or use money needed for essentials. About 15 minutes.
- Browse local shops and inspect items carefully. Look at labels, sizes, seams, zips and signs of damage before buying. Possible places to browse include independent charity shops, British Heart Foundation, Age UK and Sue Ryder sellerprofit.co.uk. About 1–2 hours.
- Check sold prices before you buy. Search for comparable sold items on the platform you plan to use. Estimate what remains after the item cost, postage, packaging and any platform charges; no Vinted fee rate is stated sellerprofit.co.uk. About 10–20 minutes per item.
- Research the item, not just its brand. A familiar label does not guarantee a good resale. Research the exact style, size and condition; brands named in a sourcing guide include Ralph Lauren, North Face, Levi’s, Patagonia and Fred Perry sellerprofit.co.uk. About 10–20 minutes per item.
- Check condition, then take clear photos. Inspect the whole item and note marks, wear or damage before buying. Photograph it in good light and show any flaws, then describe its size and condition honestly. About 15–30 minutes per item.
- Write a clear listing and record its cost. Include useful search terms, accurate measurements, condition and any imperfections. Set a fair price and record where the item came from and what you paid for it. About 15–30 minutes per item.
- Pack sold items and record the sale. Pack each item securely and follow the marketplace’s postage instructions. Record the sale price, purchase cost, postage, packaging, any charges, net amount and how long the item took to sell sellerprofit.co.uk. About 15–30 minutes per parcel.
- Review results before buying more stock. Look at which items sold, which did not and how much you kept after costs. Use your records to change what you buy, and only reinvest money you can afford to leave tied up. About 30 minutes each week.
Your first 15 minutes
Choose one clothing category, visit a nearby charity shop, and research comparable sold listings before deciding whether to buy anything.
The money
Look up comparable sold items, then account for what you paid, packaging, postage you cover and any platform charges. Set a price that leaves a worthwhile amount after those costs, and remember an item may take time to sell or not sell.
Example only: UK week — £60 sales income minus £25 stock, £5 packaging and seller-paid postage or charges = £30 before tax. Ireland week — €60 sales income minus €25 stock, €5 packaging and seller-paid postage or charges = €30 before tax. These are made-up figures to show the calculation, not expected earnings.
The rules
You can usually buy second-hand goods to resell in the UK and Ireland. Follow the tax rules and the marketplace’s terms. If you sell online as a business to consumers, rules on distance sales and consumer information may apply. If you’re unsure, check with HMRC or Revenue and the relevant consumer body.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Tax and records. The UK trading allowance is £1,000 a year. It is based on your gross income before expenses. If your trading income is above this, tell HMRC GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles. If you need to register for Self Assessment, do so by 5 October after the end of the tax year GOV.UK.
- Marketplace reporting. Since 1 January 2024, platforms report sellers to HMRC if they sell 30 or more items or around £1,700 a year. This reporting rule does not mean you owe tax. Selling your own unwanted items is not taxed under this rule GOV.UK.
- Online consumer sales. If you sell online to consumers as a business, cancellation rights and information rules may apply. For goods, the usual cancellation period ends 14 days after the consumer receives them, but there are exceptions. Before the contract, give the required information and, where cancellation rights apply, make the cancellation form available. Tell consumers before the contract if they must pay return costs. Consumers should send returns within 14 days of cancelling. Refunds are due within 14 days of you receiving the goods or proof of return legislation.gov.uk UK Government guidance.
- Data and age rules. Use the ICO self-assessment tool to check your data-protection position. The ICO says its retail guidance is likely to exempt you if you hold customer details only for your own accounts and transaction records. Your circumstances matter ICO. Check each marketplace’s current minimum-age and seller rules before you open an account.
- Ads and insurance. If you post advertising or affiliate content, label it clearly, for example “Ad” ASA. Consider what insurance suits your circumstances. Ask an insurer what cover is available.
Ireland
- Income tax and returns. If you work in a PAYE job, register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below those thresholds, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount Revenue. If you are self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI (Class S) and USC through self-assessment. Preliminary tax is due by 31 October Citizens Information.
- VAT and reporting. The VAT registration threshold for goods is €85,000 in turnover Revenue. Under DAC7, platforms report sellers of goods unless they have fewer than 30 transactions and under €2,000 Revenue.
- Online consumer sales. Consumer rights apply to business sales, not sales by private individuals. If you sell online as a business, consumers generally have 14 days from receiving the goods to tell you they are cancelling. Before purchase, give your business name, physical address, phone number and email address; product details; the total price and extra charges, or how the total is calculated; cancellation information; and details about contract length and deposits. Make payment clear. Do not add extras using pre-ticked boxes. Send an order confirmation in a durable format. Consumers generally have a further 14 days after telling you they are cancelling to return goods. Refund them within 14 days of being told, subject to receiving the returned goods. If you do not give the cancellation information, the cancellation right can be extended CCPC CCPC FAQs.
- Data and age rules. If you are unsure how to handle buyer details, check with Ireland’s Data Protection Commission. Check each marketplace’s current minimum-age and seller rules before you open an account.
- Ads and insurance. If you post commercial or influencer content, label it clearly, for example “#Ad” CCPC. Consider what insurance suits your circumstances. Ask an insurer what cover is available.
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Buying an item because of its brand without checking its exact style and condition.
- Spending more than you can afford to have tied up in unsold stock.
- Forgetting to include packaging, postage or platform charges when estimating what you keep.
- Leaving out flaws, measurements or other useful details in a listing.
- Buying more stock before checking which earlier items sold and what they actually earned.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.