Sell antiques online to buyers who want the story behind each piece

1. 01

   Describe each piece like a catalog entry

   Period, maker or attribution, materials, measurements in inches and centimeters, and condition with any restoration noted. Write “attributed to” or “in the style of” when you can’t prove the maker.

2. 02

   Photograph every side and every flaw

   Front, back, underside, marks and signatures, joints, chips and repairs, in soft daylight. Buyers who can’t handle a piece trust the dealer who shows them the worst of it.

3. 03

   Share only provenance you can back up

   If you know where a piece came from, say so and mention the evidence you hold, such as receipts, labels or old photos. If you don’t know, say nothing rather than a story you can’t support.

4. 04

   Decide which pieces show a price

   Price everyday pieces so they sell at checkout. Mark important pieces “price on request”, as the trade often does, so serious buyers inquire and you can talk them through it.

5. 05

   Quote delivery for big pieces

   Small items can use your fixed shipping rates. Furniture, mirrors and anything that needs crating are better as price on request, with delivery quoted by email once you know the address.

6. 06

   Tell buyers where to see you

   Put your showroom hours and the next fairs you’re exhibiting at on the home page. Many antiques buyers like to see a piece in person, or to meet the dealer first.

• Protected materials

  Ivory, tortoiseshell, some rare hardwoods and other protected materials are restricted or banned from sale under CITES and national laws such as the UK’s Ivory Act. Check before you list, and again before shipping across borders.

• The VAT margin scheme

  In the UK and EU, dealers in secondhand goods often use a margin scheme that taxes only their margin. Ask your accountant how it fits with the way tax is charged at your checkout.

• Export rules for cultural goods

  Taking older cultural objects out of the EU or the UK can need an export license above certain ages and values. Check before you ship a significant piece abroad.

General information to help you get started, not legal advice. Rules differ by country, state and product, so check the ones that apply to you.