[peebles16]

Am clearing out stuff as house on the market and being pretty brutal at chucking stuff out so don't have to do it again when shipping but had a question about shipping wood. We have a fair few bits and pieces we picked up in Africa and some have sentimental value will they make it through MAF? Mainly carvings, masks etc and we have had them for over 10 years - any advice thanks

[jess]

We had a box labeled "Wooden African Masks," and oddly MAF didn't bother looking at that one. They stuck with checking the lawnmower and two boxes labeled "decorative items." Certainly can't guarantee you'd have the same luck; they can look at wood and require that it be treated if they think insects or seeds could be present. MAF says wooden artifacts require inspection on this page (http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/commercial-transport-and-border-management/arriving-by-sea/restricted-items/plants). But personally we had no problem.

[tigerlily]

at worst, they may need to be fumigated ($$) on arrival. As long as they don't have any animal products (feathers or hairs or ivory I think) you should make it though with just a look or a fumigation.

[M&J]

We didn't have any problems either, we declared a walking crook with bone handle and they didn't want to look at it. More interested in anything from the garden and christmas decorations.

[Graham Cross]

Crikey, talking about wood. I have got a few hundred wooden rubber stamps and I need them badly for when I get over there. will they be inspected? I remember when I went to NZ via Australia I didn't declare them and they searched my case. When they saw what I had got the guy who found them smiled at me and said, "O my mum does this thing" go on but just make sure you declare them next time.LOL I had forgotten about that but do you think I will have a problem? jan

[Familyofmonkeys]

If the wooden items are treated e.g. varnished, waxed or oiled, then they are not a problem. If the wood is untreated, then MAF may want to fumigate, but it is not that expensive to get done.