I cant see why you would pay the sort of prices for reptiles being imported from the USA when the same quality is being bred in the uk and are a 3rd of the price Leos seem to be the big thing for import jmg, Ron tremper and others I understand these are the big names in Leopard gecko breeding but its just a name in my opinion I bought a RAPTOR from the doncaster show for £70 its got 2 full red eyes a perfect raptor so why pay 3 times this for a leo from the USA lets look after the british breeder as anybody any thoughts on this its only my opinion

Not the same quality with every species, though. For example, my main interests are gtp's and etb's and the UK is years behind the US breeders in terms of "designer" and "high-end" specimens. Same goes for royals; some of the morphs that are being produced at the moment in the US probably won't be produced over here for a few years (and that production is probably dependent on animals being brought in from the states!).

I suppose you could also argue that the reptile market in the US is much bigger than it is over here so they have a much bigger gene pool available. Many UK breeders will want to tap into that gene pool to get new blood into their collections...if the UK market became totally insular it would stagnate.

cheers

Stuart

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Captive Bred Reptiles by Stuart Marquis

Hi Stuart,

the biggest issue with importing reptiles from the US or Canads is the import costs which (for those that are unaware) are considerable.

When importing you pay for Airfreight, Vet Inspection, clearance, a handling fee and VAT.

HM Customs and excise are fully aware of animals value so the chances of taking the pss are small.

These all add up to make your cheap Dollar/Pound deal less financially attractive.

On top of that you are relying on the dealer to send you the stock you ordered (yes most do!).

The biggest factor is the transport which neither you as the buyer/importer or Joe Yankee your supplier have any control over!!!

18 Months ago I imported a number of very high end GTP's and lost a significant number due to transport temperatures.

when I arrived at the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow the vet (a very well known vet) stated that they were very nice snakes from a dealer well known to him but that when inspected they were found to be Very VERY cold.........not good for gtps!!!

Would I do it again????

No way....anyway my thoughts for the morning

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It bit me! Now thats going to hurt!!

Iv'e always considered getting a leo imported from USA but when you add on the shipping costs it makes it much cheaper to buy them here. It also causes less stress buying from here as the leo is very unlikely to be in a small box for about 10 hours. And in most cases you can also have a look at what your getting first over here.

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1.1 corn snakes - normal and anery motley
2.5 leopard geckos - SHTCTB, SHCT, Mack snow, Tremper Bandit, Bell albino mack snow, Bell albino (looks like it might be snow ) and giant reverse stripe!
2.1 black back het pied, het clown, normal.
0.1 orange phase amazon tree boa
13 and very passionate about my reptiles!

Hi Graeme,

Yes, I'm sorry to say I did here about your misfortunes with importing on the "other" forum.

The point I was making in my original post wasn't so much about the costs and risks of importing, it was more to do with what the thread starter said about "the same quality is being bred in the uk". As you and I both know that's certainly not true with many reptile species; gtp's being an obvious example of that (there aren't any "very high end gtp's" being bred in the UK!).

I think that the fact that people import despite the costs and risks of doing so is evidence that there must be something about the quality and/or range of animals available state-side that just aren't available over here.

cheers

Stuart

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Captive Bred Reptiles by Stuart Marquis

I compleatly agree with the above points.
As we do import for RT and JMG we can tell you that by the time people add on the shipping fee vat fee agent fee etc etc as well as the fact there is a minimum order for all USA sites to send to the uk or wherever.
Its not worth the customers while to buy stuff they dont want.
Personally we import so that people who want to own a special morph can do without having to go over the the USA and bring them back.
They dont have to go through the stress of dealing with agents, flights, bookings etc etc. Trust me its a lot of stress.

Also you say its just a name its not, its the fact you know these breeders are well respected and that if there are any problems at all they will try their up most to fix them. Thats something money cant buy!

Tbh anyone that hasnt ever imported cant fully understand the work involved doing it.
Do we make money on the imports not on your nelly i wish we did but we dont it covers our overheads and agent and tax fees thats about it.

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You got very lucky to pick up a full red eyed RAPTOR at £70 in the UK they are averaging out at £120-£160 each as hatchlings. For some reason your name seems to come to mind but I cant quite put my finger on it EDITED I now remember the username Northwest reptiles one of the owners and your banging on about importers when you have CFs etc what about protecting the UK breeders.

I import for the morphs to get them into the UK to give others a chance who can't get them.

I agree that some reptiles and morphs are only available from the US and have no problem with people bringing them in to the UK if thats the only way But alot of leopard geckos are being imported that are available in the uk I can understand importing a phantom but not a SHTCT these are bred in there 1000s in the UK im not having ago at the importers or the people who are buying them if thats what you want thats up to you its just my opinion and wanted some of your thoughtsas for the last post by DIABLO im not having a go at you i sell CF royals but nobody in the UK breeds enough cb normal royals to supply the UK market i do breed normal Royals but only averaging 6-8 eggs you cant supply everybody

How ever........

CF royals are the reason why people dont breed that many royals now days. Because people would rather spend £20 on a CF than £50 on a CB. Also its not just about the morphs its about people being able to OWN one of Ron Trempers or Jeff Galewoods leopard geckos they are gods within themselves in the gecko community. The quality of the super hypos are so much better than those available in the UK the tangerine is more intense.
If it is just your opinion then your contradicting yourself straight away. Because its fine to import CFs from South Africa but its not ok in your eyes to import leopard geckos from great breeders. Fair enough you may not be having ago but it certainly seems like your having a Dig at importers.
I breed both Leopard geckos and Royals but I still import and why is that to get fresh blood over to the UK and not keep on inbreeding because you don't know the ancestry. So before you start giving an opinion on importing think about what your doing yourself.

But why pay £75 for a CF when you can get a CB from a breeder for less than that?

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