Do you need an Australian Business Number for dropshipping?

If you’re an online retailer looking to use dropshipping, you’ll need to make sure you’ve ticked all the boxes from a tax and legal perspective. One of the key points to check is your business structure, including whether you have an Australian Business Number (ABN).

In a nutshell, an ABN is an 11-digit number that identifies your business to the government (and the business community).¹ In this guide, we’ll look at whether or not you need an ABN for dropshipping, and how to get an ABN should it be required.

While you’re setting up dropshipping for your retail business, it could also be a good time to think about how you’ll pay your suppliers. For example, open a Wise for Business account and you can send money all over the world for low fees – and you’ll also be guaranteed the real exchange rate.

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But more on this later. Let’s start with the basics on how dropshipping works.

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Do you need an ABN for dropshipping?

Whether or not you need an ABN for dropshipping all depends on whether you’re selling products online as a business, or just a hobby.

It’s most likely to be a business venture if you’re considering using dropshipping. Most people who are selling items online to clear out clutter or make some extra spending money would handle the shipping themselves.

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If you’re running an online retail business in Australia, it’s a legal requirement to register for an ABN. You can find out more about your requirements here in the Australia Tax Office guide PDF. You can also see the ATO’s guide on the differences between a business and a hobby.

There are other reasons as to why getting an ABN is a good idea.

• Firstly, it’ll mean you can get an Australian domain name for your retail website.
• You’ll also find that many dropshipping suppliers simply don’t work with businesses which don’t have an ABN.

What is dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a business model where an online retailer purchases stock from a third-party to fulfil orders as they come in. The retailer doesn’t actually own or store the stock itself. Instead, it will take advantage of the huge inventory of a wholesaler or manufacturer to sell and ship products to their customers.

Here’s how it works.

When a retailer sells a product to a customer, it will then purchase the item from a third-party. But instead of having to wait for the item to be shipped to the retailer, before then shipping it to the customer – the item is sent – or ‘dropshipped’ – directly from the wholesaler to the customer.

The main benefit of selling via dropshipping is that you can get started as an online retailer without needing to spend thousands of dollars on inventory. You don’t need to manufacture products yourself, or find storage space to store your inventory. You’ll need less capital upfront, but can start selling immediately.

There are of course downsides to consider too. It can quickly become quite complicated to set up dropshipping, especially if you have a number of different suppliers.

While you won’t be taking on the risk of stocking a large inventory, you also won’t have full control over defective supplies or shipping delays. But you will have to assume full responsibility for customer service, which means placating annoyed customers if something goes wrong with shipping – even when it’s not your fault.

You’ll also have to hand over a chunk of your profit to the dropshipping supplier.

How to apply for an ABN

Don’t have an ABN, but need one to legally run your online retail business and work with dropshipping suppliers? The good news is that it’s completely free to register for an ABN, plus you can do it quickly and easily online.

Simply follow these steps¹:

1. Head to https://register.business.gov.au/
2. Make sure you have proof of your identity and details of your business activities (including your colleagues and associates). If it’s a new enterprise, you’ll also need to have decided on a business structure.
3. Complete all stages of the online application form and submit.
4. As long as you’ve provided all the required information and there are no issues with your application, you should get your ABN immediately after completing the application form.
5. In the case that your identity can’t be confirmed or you’ve missed out some important information, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will review your application within 20 business days.

And that’s pretty much it. The process is designed to be simple and quick, so there’s no reason not to put an application in and get an ABN for your business.

Read more: Opening a business bank account in Australia Australia

Now that you’re all set up with an ABN, you can start to link up with dropshipping suppliers and get your online retail business off the ground. But don’t forget that you’ll also need to find the most cost-effective ways to pay suppliers – as well as getting paid by your customers.

The Wise Business account

Open a business account with Wise and you’ll be able to pay global suppliers quickly and securely. Fees are low and transparent, with no hidden costs. You’ll get the real, mid-market exchange rate on every international business payment you send and receive, with no mark-up or margin added on top.

You can also order one or more Wise Platinum Business debit card, so you can spend like a local wherever you are in the world. It’s the easier, cheaper way to cover business expenses overseas, whether treating a client to lunch or placing a new wholesale order for your eCommerce site.

Open your Wise business account
in minutes 🚀

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So, that’s pretty much everything you need to know about ABNs and dropshipping.

So, if you’ve got big plans for an online retail business and think dropshipping is the most convenient, cost-effective option for you – it’s time to apply for an ABN.

Unlike some of the legal and tax-related hoops you need to jump through as a business owner, getting an ABN is blessedly straightforward.

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Sources:

1. Business.gov register for ABN

Sources checked on 05 July 2022