Exporting an established ale abroad?

[cosimo]

hi.

if i wanted to start up a beer stand in Japan, selling an English ale, what obstacles would i face

import charge. how would i find out how much this costs exactly?

i would have to approach an established brewer, what cut would i ask for exactly?

i know i would have to get in touch with the local government ward in Japan

sorry, i am 18, and new to all of this. just need a bit of guidance

james

 

[clibit]

I'll be surprised if you get your answers here, this is a home brewing forum, not an exporting and retailing forum. But you never know, someone may have some specialist knowledge.

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

I don't know much about this, but the following spring to mind:
1. Beer barrels are very heavy, air freight on this would be expensive. I have no idea if beer would stand up to several weeks of sea freight, I suspect you are looking at 6 weeks on the water.
2. Are there any Japanese import restrictions to food and drink?
3. What are the legalities of selling alcohol in Japan?
4. Would the costs be prohibitive in terms of the required selling price? I.e. If it costs you £5 a pint to import, you want to make 50% margin (as an
example), would anyone pay £7.50 a pint?

I'm sure far more knowledgeable people than me could shed some more light on the subject.

 

[ManseMasher]

If you were to buy imprted beer in Japan, the going price at the moment is around £2.80 for a 330ml bottle. So I suspect there would be little to no profit to be made unless you could swamp the market (if there is one for ale?) with massive quantities. However, if the market is there, and you could relocate and set up a microbrewery, then who knows.