Rider

How much do you think is the tax for importing a horse from another country? Do you think there is available horse, whatever breed might it be, that can be bought in the US?

Willow

About 4 years ago, importing to the US with all the fees, incl. vet inspector, transport, fuel charge, 3-day quarantine and at least 14 days for stallions above the age of two, was, depending on the state, $4,500 to $5,700 min.
I did it as part of my business, brokered dressage horses to USA, Brazil and Japan. If someone is interested in more details about the whole importation deal, I could post a file, I'd sent to my clients at the time being.
The other part of your question I quite don't understand, please define *a bit blond here*

crazyqueen

I think with some of those prices, it would just be cheaper to move where the horse is. Sell all your belonging, and just start over. I knew that vehicles could be that pricey, but not an animal, then again with all the vet stuff and everything, it does make sense.

pumpkinflirt

Part of the importing process thats expensive is the fact that its a horse and not say a vase. Vases don't require a place to relieve themselves or vet care or any type of care. I would also imagine import taxes are based on a portion of the animals estimated worth or sale price.

As for breeds in the US, some of the breeds which originate in the US are Paints, Pintos, Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, Morgans, American Quarter Horses/Quarter Horses, Rocky Mountain Horses, Mustangs, Kiger Mustangs, Appaloosas, Nez Perce, Nakotas, American Cream Draft, etc. However there are also plenty of breeds that orginated in other countries that are bred in the US and for sale as well.

WagonsHo

Totally outside of the discussion here, but I used to have a job dropping freight off at the airport. One day I saw them loading a horse into an airplane. The horse was in a special shipping container that had large windows with bars. The horse must have been drugged, because the noise from the airplanes and the forklift would have freaked any horse out. I can't image how much money it would take to airfreight a horse, ouch.

Willow

Sales tax are applied, like with any other non-living item one buys.

Useally the horses are not drugged, they calm down the soon they are in a container and got hay to chew. And before they are loaded into the container, they are waiting in boxes near the ramps/loading zone for some hours. They get used to all the noises. A vet checks on them prior to loading to note their mental and physical condition. I was always impressed, how quickly horses adapt, when the people around them are relaxed.
Horses never fly without a human, the groom of the owner, the owner himself, the buyer or a groom of the company organizing a certain export. If a horse gets more than "normal" nervous, a sedative will be administered. I flew 16 times Amsterdam - New York with clients horses and never used a sedative for any of them. But with one of our own mares, flying from Portland to LUX, I sure had to do it, 3 times during the flight.

Willow

"However there are also plenty of breeds that orginated in other countries that are bred in the US and for sale as well."

I agree, pumpkinflirt!! I have met buyers, which scratched together their last cents in order to get a certain horse from Europe!! I understand to import top class sport horses to be able to compete at top levels, that's just human way. I understand to import classy breeding stock, but I don't understand if a normal wage working person buys a horse for 20 K in Europe JUST to be able to say "I got my horse in Europe".
I do understand the smart buyer, who finds a horse for 5 K in Europe, whereas he might have to pay for the same horse 25 K and more in the US, but that takes a great deal of honest contacts and knowledge of same sellers.