Car Boot Junction recommends turning up an hour before the advertised start time to get the best pitch, and make the most of interest from regular buyers. The most profitable time for selling is within the first hour of setting up, experts at the online directory say.
It is an offence to hold a temporary market, or permit your land to be used for a temporary market, without giving notice. If you do so, you can be fined up to £2,500.
When to arrive – Some car boot 'experts' suggest that you should visit a car boot sale both at opening time, to view the best items before they are snapped up, and then again at the end, to offer cash that sellers can't refuse if they want to avoid taking everything home.
Fire Arms, Knives, Tobacco, Alcohol and Controlled Substances, Unless fully licensed to do so, with permission from National Car Boot sale organisers, it is strictly forbidden to sell any of the above items and any items that may fall into the above categories.
On the other hand, if somebody regularly attends car boot sales (for instance every month) with a view to making profits, HMRC will deem them to be trading and they would need to be registered as self-employed for tax and National Insurance purposes.
Do you have to declare earnings from a car boot sale?
For somebody like yourself who has only sold their own unwanted second hand goods on a couple of occassions, HM Revenue & Customs would not deem there to be a trading activity and therefore the income received would not need to be declared on a self assessment tax return.
You can sell food which is not to be consumed on the premises at our sales (such as homemade cakes and jams etc). However we believe that you would then definitely be considered a TRADER and be governed by the rules set out below.
Getting there early means you can choose the best position for your stall where you will be able to get the most customers. It will take some time to set up your stall so get there with plenty of time to allow you to set up well.
We wouldn't recommend a car boot sale if you're just selling CDs and DVDs - after all, you have to pay for a pitch so you're unlikely to make your money back. If you've got lots of other things to sell too though, it may be the perfect solution for you. Just beware the hagglers!
You will probably need a health and Hygiene certificate so contact your council and find out. Also contact who owns the car boot site, and see if they are allowing any more traders selling sweets. It is not just a case of buying, rebagging and selling on.
Car boot sales do run in the winter yes... they tend to be in the sticks a bit (where there's space) and you often need a car to get to them (I used to go to one at Denham which must have been at least a mile from the nearest public transport).
First thing when car boot sales open, professional resellers will scour for electrical goods. Make sure you've gathered up all of your unused tech gear, which will sell for a higher price than most of your other odd bits and bobs, and set up early. Some things you might not have even thought of will sell.
How much money can you earn from a hobby before paying tax UK?
Firstly, you'll only need to report your earnings from your hobby if they exceed your Trading Allowance. This is a £1,000 turnover limit that all UK taxpayers are allowed to earn tax-free, in a single tax year, from things like a hobby or a project they do in their spare time.
You will need to declare any profits over £1,000 in a self-assessment tax return by 31 January each year. Tax payable: Earnings over £1,000, minus any allowable expenses and calculated based on your overall income tax band.
Are you allowed to sell new goods? It is fine if you bring along unwanted gifts that are deemed new. However, we are not a market and do not wish to have market stalls within our Car Boot Sales.
While Americans hold garage sales and the French have flea markets, the English have a distinctly British activity in which to sell one's personal second hand goods.
VAT is charged at 20% on almost all new cars, whether they are bought upfront, on finance, or leased, Some people or businesses that are VAT registered can reclaim it, while some disabled drivers can avoid paying it in the first place.
Tax exempt cars. There is more than one route to having a zero-VED-rated car, with electric cars, cars with low CO2 emissions, historic cars and cars used by someone with a disability all exempt – assuming certain criteria are met.
If you're simply selling cakes once in a blue moon at a car boot sale or market then you don't need to worry. However, if you are planning on doing this regularly, contact your local council and ask them what the rules are. If you do have to register your kitchen, it's totally free to do so.
Food Hygiene Certificate – You will probably need to have a standard Food Hygiene Certificate. This can be obtained by attending a one-day course, generally run by the local council. If they don't have a suitable course, they will have details of courses available in your district.
Do I need a health and hygiene certificate to sell sweets?
It is not mandated by law to have a food hygiene certificate to prepare or sell sweets; however, having one will ensure you have up-to-date knowledge of all relevant legislation. Proper food hygiene is a must when it comes to selling food, especially from home.
If you're running a sweet shop then public liability insurance is essential. It can protect your business against claims for injuries sustained at your premises. Public liability insurance can cover accidental injury to third parties or accidental damage to property resulting from your business activities.
