How to become an Importer and Distributor for food items

[YLS Startup]

I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I will be grateful if someone can guide me at right direction. We are a registered LTD. company who has recently started our new venture of selling different products like clothes, jewellery, gift items, home décor and so on. however, we would like to import some food items(non dairy/no fish or meat) like dry snacks items or some flours etc. Can you please guide me what all things are required to become an Importer and Distributor of branded items from other countries and supply it to shops/clients here in UK. Any help/pointers/advice would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance and look forward to get valuable inputs from this amazing forum and experts.

 

[Mr D]

Find a supplier overseas who doesn't have a UK distributor.
Agree to become UK distributor.
Get some samples, hire some sales staff. Have them visit places that may buy.
Attend trade shows and show the wares. Take orders.
Import the goods and deliver the orders to the shops / clients.


You will usually be up against existing suppliers to the customers. They are capable of fighting to retain the custom.
And you may find someone setting up a business to import similar items and seeking to take your customers.

Its a bit more involved than the above, with taxes and import duty. Plus labelling, standards etc.

 

[YLS Startup]

Find a supplier overseas who doesn't have a UK distributor.
Agree to become UK distributor.
Get some samples, hire some sales staff. Have them visit places that may buy.
Attend trade shows and show the wares. Take orders.
Import the goods and deliver the orders to the shops / clients.


You will usually be up against existing suppliers to the customers. They are capable of fighting to retain the custom.
And you may find someone setting up a business to import similar items and seeking to take your customers.

Its a bit more involved than the above, with taxes and import duty. Plus labelling, standards etc.

Thank you for your valuable inputs. All the things mentioned in first para are already done. Few suppliers are ready to supply their products to me for UK distributorship. I am looking help on legal formalities to become an importer.

 

[Ray272]

To become an importer all you need is an EORI number. If you have a Ltd company then your EORI number is simply.

GBVATNUMBER000

Just three zeros after VAT number but you must apply for it but I'm not sure it is mandatory to begin at least.

You also need to check certain products are allowed to be sold in the uk. For example I am sure US beef jerky is prohibited from import into uk.

 

[Leonardo Gonzalez Dellan]

I'm into the restaurant business and as per my point of view, you should find a supplier of an overseas country who's looking to make his market in the UK. For example, you can find a person who is looking to sell his food products across UK and you can become the distributor at the lowest price.

 

[rpbizman]

I agree, if you bring something new to the table you have a much better chance of success.

As long as it tastes nice, of course.

 

[YLS Startup]

Thank you everyone for your help. I have already got a supplier who is ready to give distributorship to us and the product is simple no dairy, no meat so that is not an issue. However, we need to have the following things to start with.
1) Import license
2) Clearing agent
Does anyone know how to get above 2 things at lowest cost and fastest way?

 

[Mr D]

Clearing agent - presumably you'd get quotes from multiple sources and choose which meets your requirements?

 

[Mike Godwin]

Hi YLS. In answer to your questions..
1. Import licence information is available from uk government website. If you want, please feel free to DM me for the link as I can't post it here.
2. For a clearing agent, just contact a Freight Forwarder who will be able to handle all your clearance formalities at agreed rates.

 

[Bastiaan Weller]

I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I will be grateful if someone can guide me at right direction. We are a registered LTD. company who has recently started our new venture of selling different products like clothes, jewellery, gift items, home décor and so on. however, we would like to import some food items(non dairy/no fish or meat) like dry snacks items or some flours etc. Can you please guide me what all things are required to become an Importer and Distributor of branded items from other countries and supply it to shops/clients here in UK. Any help/pointers/advice would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance and look forward to get valuable inputs from this amazing forum and experts.

Dear Sir,

I understand what you are looking for. I can help you lot,because I am in food business for more than 30 years. Please give me a call + 31 653 326 563

Regards Bas

 

[Mr D]

Dear Sir,

I understand what you are looking for. I can help you lot,because I am in food business for more than 30 years. Please give me a call + 31 653 326 563

Regards Bas

Have you thought of perhaps trying to answer on the forums too? To help others who aren't going to ring you.