[Jules]

I have just had notification that our container has docked in Auckland :clap :clap

Our shippers have sent us some paperwork through from the MAF that we have to complete and send them back.

One of the questions they ask is "Did you pack this baggage" yes or no. I would think you have to tick no, as our shippers did all the packing, but thinking about it if you tick no they might get suspicious and ask to inspect everthing :no , not that we anything to hide :booby.

Or do we tick yes, because we know what was packed just that someone else did it for us, but then again, we didnt see what they put in every single box, we just let them get on with it.

Any ideas? or am I worrying about nothing :roll:

Jules

[cloudboy99]

I would be honest with this one. You have documentation from your shipping company that their packing services were part of the deal so it shouldn't be a problem. I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as the airport "Have you always had your bags in your posession" question. Do they give you a "Details" or "Memo" section on the form? If so I'd include the question (i.e. 9a:) as well as a quick note that states contents packed by the shipping company and supervised by you (if you were there).

[veronica]

phone them and ask, they deal with it all the time and its a one off for you.

[Jules]

Thanks Veronica I think I might, but she wasnt very helpfull/nice when I phoned the first time :no

Another thing I forgot to mention was that because we arent married, customs will need proof that we are in a stable relationship (where have I heard that before) and that my parnter is not an ilegal imigrant :eek , the shipping company have photocopies of both our work permits so to me he isnt an ilegal imigrant. I have told them that all our paperwork etc is either in the container or with our agent going through residency in the UK.

I have to email the shipping company a letter stating that all the items in the container belong to both me and my partner, if I dont do this apparantly customs will ask for a list of items which belong to me and a list of items which belong to my partner :eek

Jules

[chuchi]

Another thing I forgot to mention was that because we arent married, customs will need proof that we are in a stable relationship (where have I heard that before) and that my parnter is not an ilegal imigrant :eek , the shipping company have photocopies of both our work permits so to me he isnt an ilegal imigrant. I have told them that all our paperwork etc is either in the container or with our agent going through residency in the UK.

Since you were given a work visa based on partnership, in which you had to prove you were in a stable and genuine relationship, shouldnt a copy of the passport and visa suffice?

I have to email the shipping company a letter stating that all the items in the container belong to both me and my partner, if I dont do this apparantly customs will ask for a list of items which belong to me and a list of items which belong to my partner

Will do the same thing. I'll be in the same situation next month so I'm really interested in your experience. Do keep me posted.

Thanks.

Chuchi

[chuchi]

somehow, the quote bubble thing doesnt appear when i try it. i wonder what i'm doing wrong??? :wah

[Jules]

Hi chuchi

They have copies of our work visas, and she did confirm that she had them, but she did go on about the relationship bit. What annoys me is that the shipping company said nothing to us in the UK about this. I will keep you posted. I did email them an hour ago with a letter attached saying that the contents of the container belong to myself and my partner and that we have been in a stable relationship for at least 8 years :eek , am still waiting for a reply.

Jules

[chuchi]

Hi Jules,

Do let me know so I know what to expect. We are also in the process of getting PR so all the evidences of a stable relationship are ready for submission when ITA arrives (hopefully soon!). This might pose a problem when these evidences are needed all at the same time (by NZIS and customs), and if they need the originals, too.

Thanks.

[Dave & Sandra]

Jules

I asked our shipping company in NZ about the MAF form and 'did you pack this baggage etc........' You just write on the form, 'packed by shipping company' which is fine.

Sandra

[Jules]

Thanks Sandra I think I will do that :nice1 .

I am so excited about getting our own stuff around us again, we have been sitting on 2 camping chairs (not the most comfortable things) and using a box as a table!!!

Jules

[toots]

The MAF people like to see that the shippers did the packing, so no worries about ticking that box!

Just watch the company doesn't overcharge you for the MAF inspection. You shouldn't be paying anything like $300-400 dollars for it.

If you need further info have a look at a thread I did a while ago http://www.emigratenz.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=11108&highlight=#11108:

Great to be getting all your things, bit like Christmas.

[Jules]

Just an update. I had a phone call today from our shippers saying our container has passed through customs :nice1 . They have asked for $165.21 for the MAF inspection which goes ahead tomorrow when they see that the money has gone into their account :hopeso .

Nothing more was said about the relationship side so I didnt mention it, whether that will come up tomorrow when MAF do their inspection I will have to wait and see.

Jules

[sarahw]

Know its too late for you but might be useful for anyone else filling in the forms - I filled in our form just earlier this week at the Freight Forwarder's office with one of the staff present who told me how to fill out all the bits - I filled in 'No' for did you pack it yourself & just wrote next to it that PSS (our shipping company had export packed it and we had been present).

Good luck with the inspection :hopeso

[Radders]

Hi,
Our stuff is being delivered tomorrow. We have a MAF fee of $80 to pay, which is pretty good considering all the scare stories on this site previously. Will let you know exactly what that is for when I get the invoice.
Our container arrived on the 27th December, so it has taken almost 4 weeks to get through customs and MAF, so there's a word of warning for anyone planning on wanting their stuff to arrive around xmas/new year

[Jules]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

ITS ARRIVED

Our furniture arrived today, no telephone call just a large Pickfords lorry turning up on our doorstep this morning at 10.30. It is quite emotional really, seeing all you furniture being unpacked.

Obviously no paperwork was needed to prove that we have been in a relationship :nice1 , I was getting quite worried about that.

Must get back to unpacking

Jules :nice1