Common questions from wholesalers, distributors, and brand partners answered directly.
Who can apply for a trade account?
Trade accounts are open to registered businesses including wholesalers, distributors, and retailers with a legitimate commercial operation. We don't supply to the general public. You'll need to provide basic company details when applying, and we'll confirm eligibility before activating your account.
How do I apply for a trade account?
Apply via the trade account page at tradeline.centre/trade. You'll be asked for your company name, trading activity, and what you're looking to buy. We review every application manually and typically respond within 24 to 48 hours.
How long does account setup take?
Most accounts are reviewed and activated within 48 hours of a complete application. If we need additional information, we'll contact you directly. Once approved, you'll receive access to current price lists and a single point of contact for your account.
Do I need a minimum order to open an account?
There's no minimum order required to open an account, but our pricing and product formats are designed around commercial volumes including cartons, cases, and pallets. Buyers who order at smaller quantities may find our pricing less competitive than consumer retail channels.
Can I order without a trade account?
No. All orders are processed through approved trade accounts. This allows us to maintain pricing integrity, confirm commercial eligibility, and provide a consistent service experience. The application process is straightforward and typically completed in under 48 hours.
What product categories do you cover?
We stock branded FMCG across five core categories: Grocery & Food, Home & Household, Consumer Electronics, DIY & Tools, and Technology. Within each, we carry multiple product lines from recognisable brands. Current availability is detailed in the price lists shared with active trade accounts.
What specific brands do you carry?
Brand availability depends on current sourcing agreements and stock positions. We don't publish a public brand list as it changes with each intake. Once your trade account is active, you'll receive category-specific price lists showing exactly what's available and at what pricing tier.
Is all your stock available immediately?
Most stock listed on our price lists is available for immediate despatch. For high-volume or pallet-level orders, we confirm lead times at the point of order. We don't list products we can't fulfil; availability is verified before price lists are issued.
Can I request specific brands or products not on your list?
Yes. If you have specific sourcing requirements, let your account contact know. We can't guarantee sourcing on request, but where there's a commercial case and an authorised supply route, we'll explore it. Bespoke sourcing is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Do you offer mixed SKU or mixed category orders?
Where stock allows, mixed SKU ordering is available within the same category. Cross-category mixed orders are handled case by case, particularly for pallet or container volumes. Speak to your account contact to confirm options based on your current requirements.
How is your pricing structured?
Pricing is tiered by volume; the more you buy, the better the unit cost. We work with buyers at carton, case, and pallet level, and pricing reflects the volume bracket. Price lists are issued to approved trade accounts and updated as stock positions change.
What payment terms do you offer?
New accounts start on proforma payment. As the trading relationship develops, credit terms become available for established buyers. All payment options are confirmed at account setup, and terms are reviewed periodically based on order history and volume.
Are there hidden fees or surcharges?
No. Pricing is clear on the invoice: product cost, delivery where applicable, and any applicable duties for international orders. We don't add handling fees or administrative surcharges after the fact. What you see on the price list is the basis for the invoice.
Can I see prices before applying for an account?
We don't publish pricing publicly. This protects the pricing integrity of our trade buyers and ensures our price lists reflect actual available stock. The fastest way to get pricing is to submit a trade account application; we can often share indicative pricing during the review process.
How do I place an order?
Orders are placed directly with your account contact by email or phone. There's no self-serve ordering portal; this allows us to confirm availability, agree lead times, and process despatch accurately for every order. You'll receive confirmation and tracking once the order is processed.
What are your delivery lead times?
Lead times are confirmed per order at the point of purchase. For UK mainland orders, most in-stock items are despatched within 2 to 3 working days. Larger pallet orders or EU shipments may require additional lead time, which will be confirmed before you commit to the order.
Do you deliver to the EU?
Yes. We fulfil into EU markets for buyers with cross-border requirements. International orders include tracked despatch and full commercial documentation. Duties and import compliance are addressed at the point of order; we'll confirm what's needed based on your destination country.
What documentation comes with orders?
All orders come with a commercial invoice and despatch confirmation. For EU or international shipments, we provide the documentation required for customs clearance. Chain-of-supply documentation is available for buyers who require it for compliance or due diligence purposes.
What happens if there's an issue with my order?
Contact your account manager directly. All issues including short shipments, damaged goods, or despatch discrepancies are handled by a single point of contact who knows your account. We don't route issues through a general support queue.
How do I know your products are genuine?
Every product we supply is sourced through authorised distributor or brand channels. We don't touch grey market stock; that's a structural commitment, not a case-by-case decision. Chain-of-supply documentation is available for buyers who need it for compliance or due diligence purposes.
Do you carry parallel imports or grey market goods?
No. We don't source from grey market channels. All stock is acquired through authorised routes including brand-direct, authorised distributors, or licensed wholesalers. This isn't a marketing position; it's how we protect our buyers' ability to sell without compliance risk.
Can you provide documentation for compliance purposes?
Yes. We can provide commercial invoices, chain-of-supply documentation, and sourcing confirmations that meet the requirements of trade buyers operating in regulated or compliance-sensitive sectors. Let us know your requirements before ordering and we'll confirm what documentation we can provide.
Are products suitable for UK and EU market sale?
All products are sourced and packaged for the UK market. EU-compliant stock is available for buyers with cross-border requirements, subject to current sourcing positions. If you have specific compliance requirements including labelling, CE marking, or regulatory standards; confirm these at the point of enquiry.
What does a brand partnership with Tradeline Centre involve?
We work with brands as a structured distribution partner; not a clearance buyer. We take on stock, manage channel placement across UK and EU trade networks, and operate to agreed pricing and brand guidelines. Partnerships are governed by a formal commercial agreement, not a casual arrangement.
How do you protect our pricing and brand positioning?
MAP and RRP compliance is built into how we operate. We don't undercut agreed pricing structures and we don't place your products in channels that conflict with your positioning. Every placement is within the scope of the commercial agreement; there are no side deals or unauthorised wholesalers in our network.
Can you help us enter UK or EU markets for the first time?
Yes. Market entry is one of the core use cases for our brand partnerships. We handle logistics, trade channel placement, compliance documentation, and channel management; so you're not building that infrastructure from scratch in a new market. We work with brands at different stages of UK and EU readiness.
How many brands do you work with at once?
We keep our brand roster intentionally limited. We don't take on more brands than we can actively manage and represent well. This means each partnership gets genuine attention: dedicated stock management, active channel work, and a named contact who knows your catalogue.
