Wholesale
Trade terms, in plain English.
Everything a new buyer asks us in the first conversation — written down so you can decide if we’re the right supplier before you pick up the phone.
Account & ordering
From application to first pallet.
Who we sell to
Trade-only. UK-registered retailers, wholesalers, food-service operators, and registered charities (including food banks and pantries). We’ll verify against Companies House where you have a registered number; for unincorporated traders we ask for evidence of trading (utility bill at the trading address, business bank statement, or HMRC self-assessment confirmation).
Account opening time
Most applications are approved within one working day. We’ll come back with the current stock list and a named contact at the same time. If something needs more checks, we’ll tell you what and why — we don’t leave you waiting.
Minimum order
For mainland UK delivery, the minimum order is one full or mixed pallet (approximately £500–£800 of stock depending on category). For collection from our warehouse, there’s no minimum — you’re welcome to pick up a single case if it’s in stock.
Lead time
Stock orders are despatched within one working day of payment clearing, with pallet network transit of 1–3 working days to mainland UK addresses. Sourced-to-order lines and full container quantities are quoted with a specific lead time before you confirm.
Pricing & payment
No tiers we won’t put in writing.
- ✓Prices ex-VAT. Quotes are landed cost — duty and import VAT are already settled. Output VAT is added on the UK invoice where applicable.
- ✓Volume discount for full-pallet quantities of single SKUs and for container loads. Ask for a landed cost on anything you take regularly.
- ✓First order: pro-forma. We send you an invoice; you pay by bank transfer; we despatch on cleared funds. Card payment is available on smaller orders.
- ✓Credit terms available by arrangement after a trading relationship is established. Subject to satisfactory references and credit check.
Delivery & collection
UK-wide, or come and pick it up.
- ✓Standard pallet delivery anywhere in mainland UK — England, Wales, Scotland. 1–3 working day transit.
- ✓Northern Ireland, Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight: longer transit and surcharge — quoted up-front.
- ✓Collection by appointment from our warehouse — no minimum, no delivery cost. Call 0330 053 1714 24 hours ahead.
- ✓Damages and shortages handled by phone, not paperwork. See returns & claims for the formal policy.
What to expect on your first order
The first time you buy from us.
- Step 1
Live stock list arrives
PDF or spreadsheet with current SKUs, case packs, ex-VAT prices and BBE windows. Updated as containers and short-dated buys land.
- Step 2
You build the pallet
Pick cases from any combination of categories. We’ll confirm pallet weight and pack configuration before pricing.
- Step 3
Pro-forma sent for sign-off
Line-by-line invoice with confirmed dates. You sign off; we pick from that document, not from the original enquiry.
- Step 4
Despatch and tracking
Pallet network reference and ETA sent the same day stock leaves us. Then a phone call from your contact, not just an email.
Common questions
The things buyers ask before they sign up.
Do you sell to the public?
No. Import Supplies is trade-only. If you’re a consumer, please support one of our retail customers.
Can I order a single case?
For collection, yes — anything in stock, any quantity. For delivery, a full mixed pallet is the minimum because pallet networks aren’t economic below that.
How do you handle damages?
Phone us within 24 hours of delivery with a photo. We issue credits or replacement stock the same week. Full process on our returns & claims page.
Can you supply to my charity?
Yes. Many of our short-dated lines go to food banks, community pantries and redistribution networks. Talk to us about your requirements.
Do you export?
Not at present. We’re a UK importer selling into the UK market.
What payment methods do you accept?
Bank transfer (BACS / Faster Payments). Card payment for smaller orders. Credit terms by arrangement.