[piningforthefjords]

Hi, I understand from reading some of the posts here that rather than MAF inspecting your container at the dockside, it can be done at your home. Does anyone have a basic dummies guide to the whole MAF thing?

Our shippers on the UK side (Mark Chudley) seem pretty switched on and have drawn up a full inventory as well as putting any items of interest to MAF at the back of the container (for easy access), so they have done their bit.

At this end we have The Moving Company (Auckland) as our agents and again, I have heard some mixed reviews of these guys.

So basically forearmed is forewarned and all that, so any tips would be appreciated.

Ta.

[CjChris]

I love this...hilarious. I'll be watching for responses!!

[barryp]

Er, what's "hilarious" about it?

Lots of relevant info here:
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9537
Much of that applies to anyone, even if not self-shipping.

Your movers have done the right thing. Note that home inspection was pretty standard six months ago, but is not automatically allowed now (inspections happen after entry in an approved location). Most of the relevant information is covered here, in the official dummies' guide:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/faq/term/914

We did not need a MAF inspection, and there might have been some luck involved but the main reason we avoided it was that I went into MAF to speak to an inspector IN PERSON and complete the paperwork there. Since I had been present for the container loading, and could document very precisely what was inside and how clean it was, it was clear that we had read and understood the rules in advance. If you let your shipper handle this discussion, it's more likely that you will have an inspection.

[martinp]

When packing it is essential to accurately label the boxes contents.

We brought over several antique indoor statues but the box was labeled by our packers as just statues, and MAF needed to view the contents as they thought they were garden statues. Likewise I brought over a lot of engineering tools, a lathe etc. and some of these boxes were labeled as simply tools, and we had to show them to MAF as they thought they were garden tools. The other item of interest was our bikes and they were inspected for dirt etc. as you might expect.

We had a home inspection and at first import the contents list was checked, and boxes to be inspected were marked and at delivery had to remain unopened in the garage for the inspection which happened next day.

[CjChris]

Er, what's "hilarious" about it?

That was just my way of saying piningforthefjords has a fabulous idea---MAF for dummies--because the MAF info is so convoluted that we (the general population) need a "for dummies" guide to figure out how to not get in trouble!!

Every time I look at MAF rules I get cross-eyed!

No offense intended :o ...just thought this was a cute and fun way to ask for help.

:)

[barryp]

Gotcha. No offence taken or intended.

The rules can be complicated but 98% boil down to: sort, clean, and label everything you bring - after you've purged your life of prohibited items.

(Fat Cat Rocks!)

[Pip]

Just one thing to throw in the mix...(apart from the Moving Co trying to overcharge you..but there are many threads on that you can look at)

You are correct that you can have your MAF inspection done at your NZ house, but that does assume that you are in your desired house where you want the contents of your container delivered, by the time your container arrives. In our case, we were in a furnished short term let, and could either have our stuff delivered to our rental, which already had furniture in and no room for anything else, and then pay another removal firm to move it to our new house when we took possession several weeks later - or in our case, the more sensible option - have our contents put into storage.

However according to the Moving Co, this meant that we were unable to be present at the MAF inspection which took place at their storage warehouse - nor did we therefore get to see our container being opened, despite seeing it sealed in the UK. So what you say is right in theory - but sometimes logistics may change that...

My experience is that MAF are great, very friendly, helpful and willing to help - talk to them direct when you get here. Moving Co - seems to depend on your branch. Lots of negative experiences for Christchurch office, but not sure about Auckland - fingers crossed, its a nicer outfit up there.

Best of luck.. if in doubt, call MAF direct - they couldn't have been more helpful.

[Super_BQ]

The best way to deal with MAF is simple. Try to make their job as easy as possible.

When I had a car shipped over in a container, I made very sure that the car was fully cleaned and detailed the day before it was loaded in the container. Vacuuming and washing the body of the car isn't good enough. You need to get under the wheel wells and remove ANY trace of dirt. The underside of the car must also be cleaned. If not, then the container will get the methyl bromide treatment at YOUR cost.

Documentation is a priority. MAF may ask how you packed the container and what you did to the vehicle prior to delivery. Show all receipts that prove you have made steps to clean everything. When shipping a vehicle, you also have to make sure the shipper knows how to secure the vehicle to the container. Most tie down by blocking around the wheels with wood. I was surprised that not any type of wood can be used for shipping. If MAF doesn't see the certain treated wood used, then expect the methyl bromide.

Logistics is important. Choosing the cheapest rate is not wise. You'll find that the container is shipped all around the world among different boats for 2 or 3 months before finally making it to NZ. During this time the container would of sweated so much that MAF will be sure to see signs of mold and mildew inside the container. The best way is to choose the most direct route to NZ. A plus is to ship in a well maintained container - freshly painted and no signs of rust.

BQ

[Debbie]

Best advise I can offer is to call the local MAF office and speak to them direct. Some local councils won't let you drop containers road side, some houses you can't get access to......
Call your local MAF, tell them what you want to achieve and seek their advice on what they can do. Once armed with that knowledge you will be able to call your removers and tell them what you want them to do.
Our removers told us we would have to have the inspection at their depot as we can't have containers dropped, this was the normal way they dealt with this problem. However, having spoken to our MAF office they were happy for our container to be unloaded onto into a lorry for delivery and inspect at the house 2 days later. OUr removers weren't trying to con us, they just wanted to make sure MAF were happy.
Debbie