After my last trip to America and visiting stores like petco and petsmart (super pet stores in america), i made up my mind not to overpay again for dog food.  So i hope this will help.

I buy Nutro Choice Large Breed Puppy 15kg for £37.99

In the states a slightly larger bag 18kg sells for £21.43

So, i figured it may be possible to ship from states to the UK for less than 16 pounds.

Thats how i initially started.

I ended up ordering 36 kg for £42.83 (2.5 times the amount of food in a 15kg bad for £5 more!!!).  I shipped it for £11.50, for a grand total of £54.33! 

Two 15kg bags cost me £75.98, and i was able to get 36 kg from the states for £54.33! 

Here's the one drawback.  Shipping can take 2 to 3 weeks, but this is not a problem for me, because I had a bag in reserve. 

I type all of this, to see if anyone else imports food from abroad, and possibly could save me even more money?

I hope this link is okay, but its just to show you the place i got the dog food from: http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=2639&Nav=1&N=0&Ntt=nutro%20large%20breed&sku=701416&familyID=4617&

Do you not get charged import duty when they arrive?If they do charge you it may not make the saving worth it

??? I would have thought that the shipping charge would outweigh (lol) any saving on the food. Isn't dog food subject to VAT as well ?

Daisy

If you're importing, why not import much better food that isn't for sale in UK? like Innova or Canidae?! ;)

Nutro is the best food for my dog, as each dog is different (my personal experience is there is no better food than Nutro).

No import tax, and not subject to vat.  (similiar to when you purchase items on ebay from abroad)

I'm sorry, i had to add this.  My partner just explained that the reason that there was no import tax was because the items were shipped marked 'gift'.

Why no tax - VAT is due on anything (that is vatable - and most dog food is) above £18. I think that the duty would probably be too small for that amount (miniumum duty is about £7).

Daisy

>My partner just explained that the reason that there was no import tax was because the items were shipped marked 'gift'.

Isn't that fraud? I've heard of this method being used before to side-step the Import Tax but don't assume for one minute that HM Customs and Excise are stupid and that they don't do checks....

VAT is still due on gifts above £36 :(

Daisy

This i did not know.

We had ordered PSP's from america for the children and saved ourselves hundreds of pounds.  Never received anything from tax man.

I will look into this and let you know.

Sounds like your partner does.  Is it worth it for a few quid?

250% more food for £20 + less?  As long as it's legal and above board, it is very much worth it.
I just wanted to pass on information to the board that might save others money as well.

How much do they charge you for shipping ??

Daisy

I ended up ordering 36 kg for £42.83 (2.5 times the amount of food in a 15kg bad for £5 more!!!).  I shipped it for £11.50, for a grand total of £54.33! 

I don't think it is legal and above board.  Tax maybe only payable on gifts above £36 but this isn't a gift is it? You are just having it falsely marked as such which sooner or later they will check out particularly if they see you receiving regular "gifts"

I will contact the customs office tomorrow and see about the VAT issue, thanks.

The duty/vat is normally collected from you when the goods are delivered.

Daisy

Well, it was delivered by Parcel force(fedex?) and all that was required was a signature.

We had ordered PSP's from america for the children and saved ourselves hundreds of pounds.  Never received anything from tax man.

I can arrive LATER! I had to pay £28 VAT on a WEDDING GIFT somebody sent me from the US, at that time it was on time of arrival. Another time I had ordered animal supplies from the US, got them, thought great, then WEEKS later got a large customs bill!!

My partner just told me this is correct, but that each item was shipped seperately for less than £36

I don't think that I could be bothered - I'd rather just go down to the shops when I need something :D

Daisy

Really, Daisy?  37 quid for 15 kg vs 53 quid for 36 kg (and delivered to your door) sounds like too much trouble?

Yes - actually :) But I don't feed dry food anyway :D

The saving would be less if the Customs catch up with you. Not only would you have to pay the VAT/duty - but the shipping agent usually makes a charge for their services as well :(

Daisy

You guys are allowing me to really get at my partner. LOL.

Here is his explanation:  The company is not a UK company therefore can not charge vat (a UK company can).  He paid sales tax to the US and also to the US shipping company.  The items go through customs and immigration and sit there until released to us.  (His voice is raising now.. LOL). 

On a side note, he works for an American company and is paid in American dollars that is wired to his bank account here in the US, which he has a switch card for... lucky devil.  No 30% tax for him.  Sigh.

On the package there is a customs receipt and everything seems fine.

I was actually hoping others were doing this and had shipping tips to share.

Sorry - nothing to do with it what taxes are payable in the US. VAT and duty are payable here (unless the goods come from the EU)

Daisy

Thanks Daisy, i will call customs tomorrow and let you know what they say... although this does seem to comply as they are less than 36 pounds.

That is for gifts, you are falsely declaring it if you say it is a gift, imported goods are subject to tax at whatever price.

£36 for a gift. If the customs declaration is correctly completed by the suppliers, then it is down to Customs to charge you via the shipper. If your supplier is labelling these things as a gift, then you are liable for any avoidance of tax.

Daisy

Nope, sorry you and your partner are just waiting to get slapped a huge fine from the VAT man.

I have a friend who ordered a pair of designer glasses from the US, delivered to the UK.  They arrived, along with a big VAT bill AND a fine. 

Some stuff gets through, some doesn't - they randomly open parcels to see what they are.  If you have marked them "Gift" and they get opened, you're likely to be done for fraud.

Not only that but I think there might be regulations or restrictions on importing animal (meat) byproducts into the country - hence when you fly transatlantically they warn you not to import animal products or they will be confiscated by customs.

Why did they get a fine ?? Were they wrongly labelled on the package ?? Apparently there are lots of unscrupulous suppliers who say that they can evade VAT/duty for you by mislabelling. However, it is the purchaser who suffers if they are found out :(

Daisy

123, why the fine?  How can one pair of glasses not be seen as a gift?

Because the credit card he bought them with were in his name, and they were addressed to him, at the same address the UK credit card was registered to.

You cannot (legally) buy yourself a gift.

You also would not (legally) repetitively buy gifts for yourself, of the same nature (ie always dog food).  Gifts are one-off things, bought by one person for another recipient.

Believe me, I'm self-employed and file my own tax return and I know how strict the definition is, of what constitutes a "Gift". 

I'm not sure why the fine - I think because he was supposed to have requested some VAT form to fill in, in order to pay the VAT back, but he didn't.

They are not daft, if it is coming directly from the supplier and when they open it the invoice is included it's a fair bet isn't it?

If he/she ordered them for themselves, then they are hardly a gift and I doubt they were under £18. Duty on some items can be as high as 17% or more.

Daisy

Just had a quick check - it looks as though there is no import duty on dog food. But VAT would still be payable

>You cannot (legally) buy yourself a gift.

Shh - don't want OH to find that out ;)

Thats way I believed as well, from reading the british customs website.  If Vat is due, they one still comes out ahead.   £8.50 added for Vat sill saves me loads for 250% more food.

This is the food i will be feeding when i eventually go to the US,one day :rolleyes: If i were to buy a food in from OS this would be the one.The US have loads of great foods,Nutro is considered one of the lower end foods over there.

Ingredients:Timberwolf organics

Chicken Meal, Fresh Chicken, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract), Low Ash Salmon Meal, Potatoes, Sardine/Mackerel/Anchovy/Tuna Oils (preserved with mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract) Eggs, Dried Chicken Liver, Dried Whole Milk, Dried Whey Extract, Kelp, Alfalfa Leaf, Casein, DL - Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Lecithin, Taurine, Lysine, Carnitine, Choline Chloride, Creatine, Probiotics: (Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation, Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Enterbacter Faecium Fermentaion Product, Bacillus Subtillus Fermentation Product,  Blueberries, Cranberries, Mixed Tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iodine Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), Cobalt Proteinate, Papain, Yucca Schidigera Extract.

Protein: 36%
Fat: 18%
Fiber: 2.5%
Moisture: 9%
ASH: 5%
Kcal/kg: 3,980
OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS: 3.4%
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS: 1.2%
CALCIUM: 1.4%
PHOSPHOROUS: 1.1
VITAMIN A: 22,000 IU/KG
VITAMIN D: 1,200 IU/KG
VITAMIN E: 350 IU/KG
COPPER: 16mg/KG

If you are going to go through all the trouble of shipping in food,why not buy a GOOD food? One that is not available here? Petco and petsmart dont carry the good stuff :(

Why don't you import it? Seems easy enough to do although I wouldn't recommend skirting around the legal requirements.

>Why dont you import it? <

Too much hassle it seems! I feed mostly raw any how,but this food would be great as a standby,much better than  Burns which is what i use now for this purpose.

I'm afraid your information may be incorrect, although i am willing to read any info you can supply.

Nutro is considered one of the top 3 dog foods in the US, and in many surveys and studies the top 2.

>Nutro is considered one of the top 3 dog foods in the US, and in many surveys and studies the top 2.<

It seems the mainstream pet owners would agree with you :)

But i mix with the natural feeders,homeopaths etc who would strongly disagree with the above.Fair enough,your dog does well on this food,you like it,thats all that should matter :) Dont think i am having a go at you,coz i am not :) Nutro is just not what i would call a premium food.

In fairness The OP has already stated:

>Nutro is the best food for my dog, as each dog is different (my personal experience is there is no better food than Nutro).<

to the question of using >GOOD food<
Lets remember that if we ourselves dont like being hounded on an issue then neither do other posters!
*Raises a stern eyebrow* ;)

Thanks, Husky.

LARGE BREED PUPPY GUARANTED ANALYSIS
CRUDE PROTEIN(min) 28.00 %
CRUDE FAT(min) 12.00%
CRUDE FIBER(max) 5.00%
MOISTURE(max) 10.00%
LINOLEIC ACID(min) 3.50%
ZINC(min) 240 mg/kg
VITAMIN E(min) 160 IU/kg
ASORBIC ACID(min) 35 mg/kg
L-CARNITINE(min) 15mg/kg
DHA(min) 0.004%
GLUCOSAMINE(min) 325 mg/kg
CHONDROITIN SULFATE(min) 250 mg/kg

FIRST 5 INGREDIENTS
Chicken Meal, Ground Rice, Corn Gluton Meal, Wheat Flour, Rice Flour

Considered to be premium dog food in the states.  The glucosamine is recomended for large breeds.

To make my point clearer,compare nutros ingredients to the ones i posted above :)

Actually, i think i understand more now, Sara.  I will have to admit i would be considered mainstream.  My friends on Barf diet, still question if 'good' dog food has ever been manufactured commercially.

LOL

>Actually, i think i understand more now, Sara<

Thanks quirky :)

I honestly didnt want to argue the point :) Just thought if you were going to go through the trouble of importing,why not go for one of the super premiums,ones that arent available here :)

No need to reply :) Youve settled on Nutro,fair enough :)

I will send you something about Bil-Jac tomorrow by PM, just to get your opinion on it.  Thanks.

Not true, HM customs couldn't care less if you paid tax anywhere else they want their cut. I'm an American who lives in the UK and have looked into all sorts of ways to ship things. It all depends on whether the package is checked and how it's shipped. If you use a carried like FedEx count on paying import fees and duty; they'll pay customs and charge you. If it's shipped via regular mail then you have a chance of getting the package through but it's a chance. I've been charged duty on a used jumper sent by my sister; it even had make-up on it - it was obviously not a new purchase. Customs said tough, she should have included an invoice and the original receipts. And that was a legitimate gift.

Why do we keep having this reptitive argument about dog food, if it suits your dog..........carry on.
All of these 'pub expert' just confuse the situation *cheesed off smilie*

I'm all for the "if it suits your dog arguement" but this is about tax dodging, ie the money the taxman collect for our Government to fund our services.  Anything fraudulently unpaid is robbed from you and I.

if only the tax taken by the tax man actually did pay for all the services the gov have promised down the years! The 'tax man' is the biggest highway robber that has ever been. we pay tax way and above what we should need to in this country.
Sorry, don't mean to be political, but I feel the only person robbing me is the taxman, not someone who successfully dodges paying it.