Yes, you generally need an "occasional sale" licence or permission from your local council to run a car boot sale with five or more stalls in the UK. While some charity events are exempt, most, including those on private land, require registration, a fee, and adherence to planning rules (typically restricted to 14 days per year).
If you are organising a sale with more than five stalls in the open air then you require an Occasional Sale licence. Some boot sales may be exempt if they are being run solely or principally for a charitable, social, sporting, religious or political purpose.
Yes, car boot sales (or car boot/flea markets) are legal in many places, but they are typically regulated and require licenses or permissions from local councils, especially for organizers, with specific rules for sellers (like selling personal items vs. commercial goods) and sometimes restrictions on frequency or benefiting charities. The legality hinges on adhering to local council regulations, obtaining necessary permits, following rules about types of goods sold, and complying with planning permissions for the land used, which often allows for a limited number of sales per year without a full planning application.
Car boot sales are one of the easiest and most flexible side hustles in the UK — and yes, you can get started with as little as £100. With the right stock and a simple setup, you can turn a few items into real profit, even on your first go.
DO YOU NEED A LICENCE TO FILM? | CAR BOOT SALE UK | COME THRIFTING WITH US | UK RESELLERS
How much is it to sell at a car boot?
A normal pitch (£15) is a car selling from one table at the rear of the vehicle. A side on/double pitch (£30) allows for two tables to be placed down the side of the vehicle to sell from.
Packaging and Bags: Bring carrier bags, boxes, or other packaging materials to help buyers carry their purchases. Additionally, have some small change in cash to provide change to buyers. Display Equipment: Bring tables, blankets, or display stands to showcase your items attractively.
Car boot sales are goldmines for savvy resellers. With the right eye and a bit of know-how, you can turn a £2 find into a £40+ flip on platforms like eBay, Vinted, or Depop. This guide breaks down the best items to look for, what sells fast, and how to spot real value hidden among the jumble.
If you wish to sell anything from a front garden of a property to customers on the footpath you need a licence; or from a piece of land that is within 7 metres of the public highway and not enclosed, you will need a Street Trading (Private land) licence.
If you sell food you are required to register with your local Environmental Health service. Detailed guidance can be found in this website's 'Food' section. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, it is a breach of contract if goods are misdescribed.
Is it illegal to knock on someone's door to sell something?
However, if you are selling goods door to door you will require a Pedlar's Licence. Pedlar's Licences have to be given out by the Police. Each individual caller must have a Pedlar's Licence and not just the employer. Anyone who cold calls offering services, like home maintenance work, does not need a Pedlar's Licence.
The simplest way to organise a raffle is to have one as part of an existing event. This is known as an incidental, non-commercial lottery and does not require a licence or registration with your council to run. For this type of raffle you can use “cloakroom” style tickets.
You must be 18 years or older and hold a licensing qualification – for example the Award for Personal Licence Holders ( APLH ) Level 2. Apply to your local authority to get a personal licence.
Do you have to declare income from a car boot sale?
If you're occasionally selling personal possessions via an online marketplace, perhaps old vinyl records or football programmes on eBay, clothes on Vinted or other unwanted things from your loft or garage at car boot sales, no tax is payable. You're just selling off your personal possessions.
It goes all the way back to when horse-drawn carriages were the norm. The driver would sit on a chest that held his belongings, including – yes – his boots. The original name was "the boot locker", which in time became shortened to just "the boot."
Yes, it's absolutely possible to sell handmade crafts at a car boot sale. In fact, this is one of the best ways to sell your crafts, as people often go willing to spend a little bit of money, without necessarily knowing in advance what they're looking for.
Clothing is a top seller at boot sales, especially children's and designer items that would cost much more new. Parents seek affordable items because children quickly outgrow clothes and toys, so baby bundles and equipment usually do well.
To apply for an occasional sale license, you'll need to provide the following: application form for an occasional sale licence. a plan of the area where the occasional sale will take place (all entrance and exit routes, general parking arrangements and where vehicles will queue to enter the site) application fee.
A car boot sale pitch price varies significantly by location and type, typically ranging from £10 to £30 for a standard car pitch, with some larger spaces costing more, and even cheaper options for just a walking pitch without a vehicle, so it's best to check the specific sale's website. Expect to pay more for larger pitches (like side-on or double) or if you're bringing a van, and potentially get a slight discount for pre-booking online.
