Hello Everyone,

I know to all the koi dealers who have imported, that you most likely do not want to share the trade secrets for the best of your company.

But I have been wondering, how long does it usually take to clear to koi from customs at the airport?

I mean it usually takes 50 hours or more for koi to arrive in South Africa, from them being packed into boxes driven to the airport and then flown out.
Surely the last thing any one would want, is for more time to be wasted at the airport where to conditions are incorrect?

Any answers are appreciated,

David

I did it once and it was a nightmare.
Never again

Hi Jaco,

Generally or just the customs? Did you get a customs broker?

All I had was an inport licence, I only got a broker when the fish was already at the airport. Then the vet certificate was lost in transit, was a nightmare. Better planning and knowledge would make it much easier.

Thanks for the information Jaco, really appreciate it Who did you import from?

Hi Dave, I would not try to do it without a clearing agent who knows what he is doing.

The fish have to be pre-cleared before arrival but after packing of the fish, Department of Agriculture have to be arranged to inspect the fish on arrival(often after hours), you have to have an import permit, health certificates issued by a state Vet on that side (just before) dispatch must be 100% correct, clearing ALL the applicable diseases, special arrangements with the airliner to collect at night if applicable, and you have to register as an importer with the Receiver of Revenue, alternatively pay a large deposit (normally R 5000.00). Vat must be paid in advance and the Reserve Bank have to clear the payment in advance. Most clearing agents don't even want to touch fish due to the risks involved. One mistake on a waybill or health certificate, and customs will probably not release the fish, and you might end up with dead fish.

The biggest problem is that no one in Japan will arrange the shipment unless the consignment is worth their while. My agents in Japan insist on an import of at least R 60 000.00 at a time.

It is not worth the hassles to import small consignments.

Hi Paul,

Thanks for all the information I am not going to import by myself, but rather get a large group from the forum to import with me this will benefit many as they can get high quality koi at the prices which they can get if they import themselves. However if they import themselves they would have to pay a large amount of money to many different people for their services, and if they import with the group the costs will be divided by the amount of people importing.

I have spoken to a trusted exporter and he has agreed, he said, "that I must just let him know when I'm ready"

I am trying to find a clearing agent but, the only one I can find is Billy Pretorious

Hi Dave,

Old saying, Skoenmaker hou jou by jou lees.

Let the dealers be the dealers and support them. You will not be successful unless you start doing it professionally and in a big way, The forum don't have enough buyers for you to be successful, most forum members are looking to sell off some fish as we are rather overstocked. We only buy when something special comes up..

Really, I don't think it can or will work unless done professionally in a big way.

Hi Neville,

Yes I agree but,

What's the point of just letting dealers, have the monopoly of the market? If we keep on letting them set the prices and never having any competition how is the market supposed to grow?

Hi Dave,

The dealers certainly do not have the monopoly, they have a lot of fierce competition amongst each other. There are a lot of well established dealers around Gauteng.
What about all the other services that poor mister dealer also offer, his stocks held, for you to come and pick as and when you need it.

No sir it is not that easy, the forum members are mostly overstocked and certainly is not the dealers target market, we only buy when something special comes up, and we are very fussy.

I don,t mind the dealer making a profit, after all he is allowed to do that, no one will work without getting paid.

Unless you intend doing it in a big way and becoming part of the competition, let them do it, they know how.

Please don't let me dampen your enthusiasm. It was once said to me, the fastest way to have a million in the bank out of koi is to start with 3 million

Yes, I know that "most" forum members are overstocked and are very fussy however some just a small percent might be interested. Personally, I don't see why a koi keeper who has just had a pond built for him or her, would rather spend more money on a koi that has been imported as apposed to koi that has been locally bred they don't know the difference and I don't see everyday a general koi keeper spending an excess of R12 000.00 on a Kohaku from Sakai.


And with regards to the import, how do you know that I didn't go the extra mile sourcing koi free of charge and at the risk that people might not even bother taking a look. And yes in the future I wouldn't mind competing against some dealers in Joburg offering the public more competitive prices. But some people need a bit of help, when starting a business. And thank you for all your replies

I imported from Infiltration, Peter Waddington. In the UK.

It's not as difficult as it seems.

Hi Dave

I have been in business all my life and will always help when I can.

But remember there will always be sellers, much more difficult to find buyers.

If you want to build a business go ahead but don't run other businesses or competition down in doing it.

Thanks Jaco

Thank you Neville and I can see where you are coming from, and I will take that into consideration


Thanks again to all who replied

Hi Dave,

A pleasure my friend, you are welcome any time.