Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I'd like to start importing large shipments of turtles, and snakes from Ghana and other countries. The problem is, I can't seem to figure out how to go about this. Once I get the permit to import, how do I get the animals? Is there a website or person I should contact? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Brooks

For what purpose?

Katrina

Right now, I'm a small breeder supplying a few pet shops in my area. I'd like to import mostly turtles to supplement my breeding stock and for reselling to stores throughout Florida.

Have you called US Fish and Wildlife yet? I would think that's the first place to look into regulations and permits. If you're willing to do more breeding and less reselling, you might want to contact a group like the Tortoise Reserve to see if they already have programs in place that can help.

Katrina

I'm in the process of recieving my importers license, but I can't figure out how to get the animals. Thanks. Brooks

You have to have the exporter ship them with their paperwork(which they may charge you for doing) to a us port of entry, proabbly Miami.Then the shipment will go through customs/U.S.F.W inspection.It is a long way to finding the exporters but you could try writing a country's consolate(sp?)for live animal exporter information they have.

Obtaining your Import/Export License is the easiest part. Getting a reliable, trustworthy exporter takes a long time. I have worked for years to establish good exporters for my business so it is not something that will happen overnight. You might receive communication from some acting as exporters from other countries but they are more than likely just con men and thieves. They will ask you to send money up front for a shipment and then you will never see your money nor the shipment. Also if you are not aware of the full importation process you will need to contact USF&W to get all the information. It is not a easy process like ordering animals from within the US. You have certain paperwork to fill out for USF&W & Customs, you will have to ensure that you have legal CITS documents from your supplier. (The importer is responsible for the documents being legal from the other country as well as the animals being shipped properly. If the exporter ships inhumanely the importer can be fined becuase of the shipping methods and can have the shipment confiscated as well as the license revoked), Freight will have to be guaranteed with the Airlines (which usually runs $400 minimum up to many thousands of dollars out of Africa, You will have to pay a broker to facilitate your shipment ($150-$300 per shipment). Then if you are not located close to the designated port the boxes will have to be forwarded to your location through the airlines which will cost even more money. Unless you are planning on importing larger shipments it is not financially feasible as the entire importation process if very expensive and time consuming.
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Rob Trenor
RK Reptiles
www.rkreptiles.com
www.rkreptiles.net
www.oldworldchameleons.com
www.ballpythonmorphs.net
www.beardedragons.com

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Here's an example of what to look for:
http://www.avifaunafarm.com/

That's an exporter in Tanzania. Not all of them will be on the web.

A bit of a warning. Just because a person has a website and says they are an exporter in another country does not mean they are legitimate. There are countless web sites and supposed exporters out there that are nothing more than a rip off and will take your money quicker than you can blink.
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Rob Trenor
RK Reptiles
www.rkreptiles.com
www.rkreptiles.net
www.oldworldchameleons.com
www.ballpythonmorphs.net
www.beardedragons.com

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