Importing horses from EU - how do you do it?

[ginatina]

I'd like to buy a couple of young horses and am looking at northern europe. I'm looking for warmbloods with dressage potential, so KWPN/german etc

It seems that in the UK a really nice 3 year old in the UK is £15k+. Some reasonable ones (no star quality) still near £10k

Maybe I can find 2 or 3 special youngsters in the EU for more like £8k/£10k? Keep one, sell 2...

I have the experience and the facilities to break them before selling on.

I'd love to know if anyone else regularly imports horses and how you go about it, & any advice you may have, especially in light of all the changes post Brexit.

Thank you so much

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Ref getting them here, speak to the likes of John Parker International, they will be able to advise on all costs.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I had an alright experience with John Parker, and I'd recommend them. I really prefer Marcel Jordan, but I'd use either.


I'm not sure about Brexit stuff, or that you'll come out soo far ahead buying in the EU. Quality youngsters still carry a price tag here (in Germany) and if there's added transport and Brexit costs, I'm not sure how much you'll "save" but we so simply have more quality warmbloods here (sheer numbers) in the EU. So maybe there is more selection and the better odds of you getting a better deal, or more for less than in the UK. It's definitely worth shopping around.

I believe there is 20% import VAT? I'm sure many official websites outline this, or transport companies may know.

 

[ginatina]

I had an alright experience with John Parker, and I'd recommend them. I really prefer Marcel Jordan, but I'd use either.

I'm not sure about Brexit stuff, or that you'll come out soo far ahead buying in the EU. Quality youngsters still carry a price tag here (in Germany) and if there's added transport and Brexit costs, I'm not sure how much you'll "save" but we so simply have more quality warmbloods here (sheer numbers) in the EU. So maybe there is more selection and the better odds of you getting a better deal, or more for less than in the UK. It's definitely worth shopping around.

I believe there is 20% import VAT? I'm sure many official websites outline this, or transport companies may know.

Thank you, that's super helpful. Yes it appears there's simply a bigger market, so prices a tad more reasonable. I need to look into the VAT aspect more, I believe there may have been further changes to this recently [goes off to google it..]

 

[ginatina]

Bump - hoping to see if anyone else might have advice!

 

[Palindrome]

I'd go through an agent as they will have the necessary connections with breeders for you to be able to see a range of youngsters. The prices in France are similar to the UK prices you quoted though and you will have transport on top (could be around 1k), plus either your travel or having to buy unseen.

 

[TealH0rse]

I’d suggest asking this on some of the U.K. mule groups on facebook.

It seems many ridden mules in the U.K. had to be imported as we simply don’t have the ideal heights over here. I once asked the same question on one of the groups as I want a mule in the far future and wanted to work out rough costs. They all seemed to know their stuff and I’m sure they can give you recommendations on transport services.

Edit to add I know you don’t want a mule, but they are more likely to know about importing in general.

 

[nutjob]

I imported one of my horses as a 3yo from Germany. The transport cost in a shared load with John Parker International was not too much, about £600 neither was the cost of a flight to Dusseldorf. However, this was a few years ago, before Brexit so I'm not sure about the vat situation, and transport prices have rocketed as well.

Last year I tried to buy another youngster, exactly the type you are looking for but the prices were very high and I was struggling to find a sound horse which still had it's original passport with it. I ended up buying a 2yo which was a lot cheaper and the buying process much less pressured. If you can go a year younger you might have more options in the UK, try contacting breeders directly even if they have nothing advertised. I am sitting on mine now and delighted so far!

 

[blitznbobs]

There is 20% vat on non breeding horses from the EU so if you start at 8k and then add 20% that takes you up to just under 10... then a grand for transporting... there isn't much profit in the game tbh

 

[shortstuff99]

You are best to go through a professional importer to get all the paperwork in order as they need all sorts of vet checks and tests before they can be imported. There is a 20% import fee which is 20% of the purchase price and the travelling costs combined. If a gelding then there is an extra 10% added but I don't know if that is being implemented yet. Once in the UK you have to have a vet check for import and the passport has to be over stamped/ registered with a UK PIO.

 

[Peglo]

As above 20% on mares and extra 10% on geldings import Tax. I payed another £100 to John Parker for something at the border but can’t remember right now what it was. Think it was paperwork of some sort but I didn’t have to do anything. think travel cost me under £1000 from northern Italy to Aberdeen ferry.

I hadn’t seen my horse so that was stressful not knowing what was coming off the boat but other than that it was pretty easy. The sellers sorted a lot of it.

to buy my horse was £4000 and by the time I got her home I’d payed £6600.

ETA @shortstuff99 is right. I hadn’t realised the 20% was price and travel so that was added costs I hadn’t realised. I had the money so it was fine but it seemed a bit scary at the time with little bits adding on the whole time.

 

[rara007]

Remember the VAT…If you’re buying from a business there may be VAT to add that end too.

 

[ginatina]

This is all so helpful, thank you everyone!