Importing Food and Groceries from Overseas

ffhound on 21/04/2022 - 16:59

Hi all

I have read an article and seen a Youtube video recently which got me thinking about the merits of importing food and groceries from overseas. The article was talking about how New Zealanders are now buying their food and groceries from Australia and having them delivered to NZ because its cheaper. The video I saw was a stroll through a St Peterburg supermarket showing their prices which have rise considerably due to sanctions. Even with 20-30% rise the prices of goods are noticably cheaper than in Australia. I have also noted, when in Asia, how much cheaper everything is than in Australia, Even in a developed country like Japan.

Theoretically then one might be able to shop in an overseas supermarket online and have the goods delivered to Australia and save money that way. But has anyone done this? From which country and how much saving were you able to make?

Thanks Peter

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • boomramada on 21/04/2022 - 17:03
    +2

    If Groceries cost + Delivery + hassle < Buying from Australia, why not. But I don't want melted butter, chocolate or gone off milk.

  • ffhound on 21/04/2022 - 17:06
    +1

    Obviously one would need to target the goods carefully. I'm thinking goods like toilet paper which last a long time and could be bought in bulk could result in some good savings.

    • Hybroid on 21/04/2022 - 17:30
      +13

      Costco exists. You're not going to be able to achieve meaningful discounts ordering from abroad with added delivery, taxes etc.

  • gutterch on 21/04/2022 - 17:31
    +2

    First thoughts is that would complex and not necessarily worth it.
    There would be import taxes, forex exchange volatility, some risks on transport (what happens if there is a damage), plus it would be complex for short shelf life products.
    Also, not very environmental-friendly ! better to shop local

  • GordonD on 21/04/2022 - 17:34
    +2

    There are a lot of foods and similar items that people find out the expensive way are prohibited imports when they bring them into the country in their baggage. You would need to check that anything you wanted to import can legally be imported.

  • rektrading on 21/04/2022 - 17:34
    -6

    Your time would be more productive trying to increase your income and reduce your spending.

    Avoid hodl fiat 💵 that's getting devalued at +15% YoY.

  • holdenmg on 21/04/2022 - 17:46

    There was an article (a while back) where someone flew round-trip to Nz for Groceries (and was ahead). This was pre-covid and when airfares were cheap.
    I'll post the article if I can find it.

    This just in…
    https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/24/shopper-finds-ordering-gr….

  • 87percent on 21/04/2022 - 18:16
    +3

    No way toilet paper is cheaper than just buying local. Unless you’re bringing in a container load

    • whatwasherproblem on 21/04/2022 - 18:24

      Exactly. I thought we all learned this lesson the hard way in early 2020 when everyone idiotically thought we were dependent on imports for toilet paper and we all somehow panic'd an actual shortage into existence. Toilet paper is a cheap and simple but bulky item, which means it's almost always going to be more expensive to ship in compared to being produced locally.

      • Nugs on 21/04/2022 - 18:32
        +1

        what sh!ts me is that it's never on special anymore
        .

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 21/04/2022 - 20:23

          what sh!ts me

          Unfortunate turn of phrase given it's about toilet paper.

  • ihbh on 21/04/2022 - 18:18

    What food and groceries are you looking at? Processed or fresh foods? For fresh foods, Aus is the pace to be. You might get cheaper garlic from China, but see what you get with your imported garlic.

    For processed foods and other stuff, I doubt you get it much cheaper after shipping in the long run. Nevertheless, have you seen what's happened to supply chains medium term and recently?

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 21/04/2022 - 18:43

    Costco?
    Amazon?
    Aldi?
    Specialty Bulk stores like Asian Grocers, Indian Grocers.

    Check if there are any food wholesalers around that sell direct to the public.
    Amazon are heaps cheap for Toilet paper. Bunnings had a Bidet for $99 last year. Otherwise buy a few Melbourne Storm jerseys and wash them with bleach.

  • whatwasherproblem on 21/04/2022 - 18:46

    The article was talking about how New Zealanders are now buying their food and groceries from Australia and having them delivered to NZ because its cheaper.

    Yes but they live in a clown country with a cartel duopoly that's actively price gouging, and that was before they hit 2022's ridiculous levels of inflation. The clown tactics that currently work in New Zealand won't be worth the effort elsewhere in non-clown countries.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 21/04/2022 - 20:25
    +1

    OP will have to pay GST + customs duty + shipping. Those cheap St Peterburg prices are going to rapidly escalate.

  • GG57 on 22/04/2022 - 08:57

    Plenty of people in the world do this.
    Easier in Europe to jump across a border, of course. Same for USA/Mexico.
    In some countries where the population rely on assistance from family / friends overseas, it is reasonably common to see FCLs full of household and non-perishables arrive.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 23/04/2022 - 13:50
    +1

    Toilet Paper solution

  • MollyJ77 on 15/08/2022 - 13:56

    There are also stores in Melbs that only sell food that is close to its best before date, or just past it, and these grocery items are heavily discounted. Plus they have the benefit of preventing food waste.

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