[Leccy-Lee]

Well this follows on from a previous thread i had going.

Needless to say i am now after some thought looking at shipping a small crate (Probably a Tea Chest Size) of my work tools over to NZ, and then putting them into storage for 5-6mths until i have the need for them. It would seem although an expense its likely to save me some hassle when i start job-hunting to at least know i am prepared with tools (albeit hand tools and basics) to do the job i hope to employed for (An Electrican).

Also worry that with my plan of travelling and enjoying NZ for my first 4-5mths that if i deplete all my funds in that time (sadly likely as there limited!) i may not be able to afford to purchase new tools in NZ and therefore could ruin any job chances, so for peace of mind more than anything i think shipping my tools over will at least mean i have the basics for my trade.

Anyhow, i have a few concerns and questions i am hoping somebody can advice me on?

-- I am looking at a tea chest with Seven Seas by boat, Which is quoted at £89 (reasonable i thought) and they say its door to door service which is great, including customs/maf etc. But my worry is can i legally send a tea chest of tools over as i only currently have a WHV? Will i be allowed and what forms / questions are to be asked for my shipment. Will i be charged for importing or anything as a UK resident?

-- If i am technically not allowed to on my visa, any ideas on loopholes or another method to allow me to ship tools over?

-- And i gather i read somewhere that as tools they need to be thouroghly cleaned due to organic matter and quarentine etc etc. My question is how well cleaned? Are we talking a wipe down of all tools with a damp cloth etc, or are we literally talking sterile cleaning? :eek: Sure you can imagine, set of trade tools, well used and worn, in a box of dust and bits. Do they need to be hospital clean?

--And anyone know a auckland storage depot etc, that will not only store crate, but actually take delivery of it from seven seas if i am off on a hillside in south island etc?

Really appriecate your help. I am ready here to call seven seas to confirm order and shipment and get it all packed on its way, just need to make sure i am going about it right, wouldnt want to send it and have customs etc stop it or impound it etc in Auckland.

[zardell]

Yep, they have to be clean, but bear in mind that MAF are more concerned with soil and bugs etc than oil - in fact my hubby oiled all his tools after he cleaned them ready for packing. (Pity they didn't all get here, but that's another story !!)

Make sure they are presentable and that your boxes are clean. MAF will inspect them anyway.

Have pm'd you too.

Julie

xx

[Leccy-Lee]

Thanks Julie,

Yes i will plan an evening of scrubbing and oiling to get them as clean as i can, and give the boxes a much-needed clean so they look tidy and ordered. (rather than the standard tradesman box with 2inches of dust/grime in the bottom!)

[Leccy-Lee]

Can anyone shed some more light on the "Visa" issue?

As my visa is a 12mth Work Permit only? And really not sure if this is going to be worthwhile now as costs of shipping a few tools is rising fast (with seven seas doubling my original quote <my bad>)

Really wont bother doing this, if its going to cost me to "import" my own tools? Even a bond will put me off, as dont have the cash spare to bond it.

[marcia]

Sorry can't help with the visa side of things - have you tried emailing MAf or customs and asking them direct? We always found them very helpful.

My hubby brought over loads of tools and stuff - (three quarters of our 40 footer was his 'man cave stuff!!) in fact the poor packing guys were sick of wrapping 'tool boxes', he even brought over a lathe, none of it caused any problems, he did wipe everything down but they are not bothered about a bit of oil and grease they are mainly looking for any soil, or if you have any wood working tools, sawdust.

Good luck!

Oh yeah just to add - if you are looking at bringing stuff over and storing it here, I would look into self store options, the shipping companies prices are definately over inflated if you store with them!

[Leccy-Lee]

Well i just had a very fast reply from Customs :clap
Not too sure on how to interprate it though? See what you think...

Dear Lee,

Thank you for your enquiry
Personal use hand tools would be okay for own personal use.Otherwise for business use you would have depreciation for the length of ownership and use on the value and then pay GST.
Your own used personal and household effects would be exempt tax.

Harry Perkins
for Comptroller of Customs.

So as tools would be for my trade i assume they would be "business" ?
Or as when they arrive i will be backpacking around and not working could i get away with cliaming "personal use", although still cant quite see how non resident can claim tools needed for personal use, when dont even have a fixed abode in NZ?
Grateful for Customs fast reply, but even more baffled now! lol
Depreciation and GST? We are only talking 2 toolboxes of handtools (pliers, screwdrivers etc)

Starting to think i just send them over, and see what happens when they get to port? See if i get a bill, and if so how big a bill :wah

[shakyle2906]

Hi

We moved over here to NZ 5 weeks ago.

We used a local firm, Robinsons, where we shipped 11 boxes, of which i think there was one full one of my hubbys tools (joiner by trade) and few bits in another box. We are both on 1yr work visa's too.

Unfortunately, we werent told about the tools being 'clean', but knowing hubby, they were as he has always looked after his stuff.

We sent boxes first week March, and have yet to receive them, latest info recd was eta 16th June.......

I would day to definetly ship stuff over, as hubby had found that some tools over here are way over priced. Obviously electrical items are not worth it, but he sent over everything he could get in the box and says now he was glad he did.

Hope this helped a little....

Sharon

[zardell]

I would class them as personal effects.

Don't bog yourself down with bureaucracy - just send 'em.

Julie

xx

[marcia]

Obviously electrical items are not worth it,
Sharon

Don't understand what you mean by this comment - of course its still worth bringing electrical items, (unless they are 110v, but all my hubby did was bring a transformer with him anyway!) We have been working our way through changing plugs, but we have a couple of NZ adaptors, a few 4 way extensions, (change the plug on the end of the extension, to save adaptors for now!) Keep buying a few plugs at a time so it doesn't seem such a marathon to do all at once.

I'm with Julie, send them over and say they are personal effects, can you send some other bits and bobs too, like pictures, ornaments and a few mementoes to make it look more genuine?

[shakyle2906]

Don't understand what you mean by this comment - of course its still worth bringing electrical items, (unless they are 110v, but all my hubby did was bring a transformer with him anyway!) We have been working our way through changing plugs, but we have a couple of NZ adaptors, a few 4 way extensions, (change the plug on the end of the extension, to save adaptors for now!) Keep buying a few plugs at a time so it doesn't seem such a marathon to do all at once.

I'm with Julie, send them over and say they are personal effects, can you send some other bits and bobs too, like pictures, ornaments and a few mementoes to make it look more genuine?

Marcia

What i had meant was my hubbys tools - we were advised NOT to bring over by the firm actually. which has cost us greatly!

Sharon