Advice on importing Food...

**richkid** · 06-27-2008 12:18 AM

hey everyone.

I recently came back from a mission trip to Cambodia, and while I was over there myself and the team I was with fell in love with this drink that they have over there. It is fully packaged, and manufactured in Thailand I think.

Anyway, my question is, what steps do I have to take on my end (in Australia) to make sure I am allowed to start importing it. Is there special requirements that foods being imported for distribution have to take?

Has anyone done something like this and willing to offer a bit of advice?

Thanks
Tom

**Emily0415** · 06-27-2008 02:48 AM

I have no experience in importing.But I do know importing is not a simple procedure.It contains some law-related issues, maybe advice for professional one is needed.

**richkid** · 06-27-2008 08:06 AM

Yes,

I am getting some figures and information from the company, and then i will be contacting a friend of my parents who is very successful in the business world and has some experience in importing. hoping that he will be able to mentor me.

**GhostFac3** · 06-27-2008 09:35 AM

Thats a good idea, make sure you keep us posted on how that goes. As for my own personal research on the subject (I wanted to import mate de coca or Coca tea) I learned that in the US you have to get approval from Customs and then figured out how to have it shipped (those services can range) and that's basically it. I have no experience in Australia, but that is the basics. Hope it helps to some degree.

**richkid** · 06-27-2008 06:52 PM

you mention customs...but do you also have a food board or something that has to approve of any food that is gonna be for sale? cause i think we have one of them in australia.

**Yiie** · 06-29-2008 08:41 PM

Check Food Standards Australia. You might need to get the drink tested, which can be quite costly.

**richkid** · 06-29-2008 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Yiie

Check Food Standards Australia. You might need to get the drink tested, which can be quite costly.

thanks. Ill check them out now. I noted there was a food board that was both Aus And NZ... and the product is in NZ so i am hoping that is a good thing.

Plus I have test results from test that were conducted in their country.

**richkid** · 06-29-2008 11:44 PM

the good news is that the manufaturer is keen for me to start distributing in Australia. Cambodia currently get a shipment of 20 containers of this product each month, so if I can get this to take off in australia and go through all the loop holes there is a massive market.

Are there any australians on this board that have experience with shipping and can recommend a company?

**JohnnyBudZ** · 06-30-2008 01:05 AM

Alright well, my cousin Danny owns an energy drink company called 4KiCK (4Kickusa.com). He originally brought it to the US becuase HIS cousin ( on his other side) owned the same company, in Holland. His cousin gave him exclusive rights to the United States so he started Importing. He told me that the paperwork you have to comply with ( USA standards) will take you about 5-6 months. Its NOT a simple procedure. Not only that, you must speak with a customs agent and fill out even MORE papers. So actually selling this product to the distributors is the EASY part.

If you have any DIRECT questions Im sure I could ask him.

**richkid** · 06-30-2008 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyBudZ

Alright well, my cousin Danny owns an energy drink company called 4KiCK (4Kickusa.com). He originally brought it to the US becuase HIS cousin ( on his other side) owned the same company, in Holland. His cousin gave him exclusive rights to the United States so he started Importing. He told me that the paperwork you have to comply with ( USA standards) will take you about 5-6 months. Its NOT a simple procedure. Not only that, you must speak with a customs agent and fill out even MORE papers. So actually selling this product to the distributors is the EASY part.

If you have any DIRECT questions Im sure I could ask him.

Thank you so much for the information. I am going to get in contact with the Food Standards board as soon as i can and see what hoops I have to jump!