[BaggiesFans]

Hi All,

Read a bit about MAF inspections - what do they inspect - do they look at inventories to decide? Would a leather sofa have to be inspected do you think?


Are MAF inspection costs extra on top of your shipping costs? How much?

Thanks

[mgbridges]

Hi,

My understanding is that they go by the inventory your removal company has put together (or yours if you DIY). Also some additional forms that the removal company at this end send you to complete prior to arrival of your container. Your removers should also send you a list of MAF charges as it varies dependent on how far away from the docks the container is unloaded, how many items MAF want to inspect etc.

So to avoid these charges racking up try to group things they might want to look at together when you pack e.g. wooden ornaments, food items etc. Your removal company can give you information on what they are interested in. Remember to empty your vacuum cleaner, make sure camping gear, hiking shoes, golf equipment, garden equipment, bikes etc are spotlessly clean!

If MAF have a problem with anything you'll get given the option to have it treated (steam cleaned, heat treated etc) at your expense or alternatively destroyed. We've just had this as there were some straw stars in our Christmas decorations - it would have cost approx $100 to get them heat treated and they might not survive so I made the decision to have them destroyed. Logic told me it wasn't worth the expense but my heart was a bit sore as a very small number of them had been made by my (now deceased) German grandmother.

We are also currently waiting to find out the MAF charges from our Removal Company and I'm trying to decide whether we should trust whatever figure they come up with on face value, or ask to pay MAF direct and see if the numbers differ! There are lots of horror stories on here about removal companies charging huge sums when MAF were actually charging quite small ones, equally there are lots of stories to the contrary.

I might have gotten this all wrong and if I have I'm sure somebody will come along soon to tell you how it really works but this is my understanding of it.

Good luck with your move,
Anneliese

[swissmissdesigner]

Hi,

My understanding is that they go by the inventory your removal company has put together (or yours if you DIY). Also some additional forms that the removal company at this end send you to complete prior to arrival of your container. Your removers should also send you a list of MAF charges as it varies dependent on how far away from the docks the container is unloaded, how many items MAF want to inspect etc.

So to avoid these charges racking up try to group things they might want to look at together when you pack e.g. wooden ornaments, food items etc. Your removal company can give you information on what they are interested in. Remember to empty your vacuum cleaner, make sure camping gear, hiking shoes, golf equipment, garden equipment, bikes etc are spotlessly clean!

If MAF have a problem with anything you'll get given the option to have it treated (steam cleaned, heat treated etc) at your expense or alternatively destroyed. We've just had this as there were some straw stars in our Christmas decorations - it would have cost approx $100 to get them heat treated and they might not survive so I made the decision to have them destroyed. Logic told me it wasn't worth the expense but my heart was a bit sore as a very small number of them had been made by my (now deceased) German grandmother.

We are also currently waiting to find out the MAF charges from our Removal Company and I'm trying to decide whether we should trust whatever figure they come up with on face value, or ask to pay MAF direct and see if the numbers differ! There are lots of horror stories on here about removal companies charging huge sums when MAF were actually charging quite small ones, equally there are lots of stories to the contrary.

I might have gotten this all wrong and if I have I'm sure somebody will come along soon to tell you how it really works but this is my understanding of it.

Good luck with your move,
Anneliese

nothing so pretty as the german three christmas decoration! this is from a jewish girl..

[BkyMonster]

On the MAF site you can find a list of how much they charge per item and how much they charge depending on where you are having your items delivered.

I think this covers some of the information under Costs

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/personal-travel-belongings-and-mail/bringing-things-into-nz/your-belongings

[Jeni Elise]

We just shipped our scooter in, and they had to do MAF inspection on it. The shipping company arranged it for us, so I don't know what they checked for, but it cost $100.00 NZD (including GST) to have it done.

Then we had to send it through customs, where they charged us 12.5% of its value + the shipping costs. So the customs cost came to $352.00 NZD. Then the shipping company (separate from the one we hired to ship it) that unloaded the crate charged us for unloading, documentation, administration, and a couple other miscellaneous feesm totalling $243.00 NZD.

In other words, we've been rethinking whether it was a good idea to have it shipped. If the value of the goods don't surpass the shipping costs, it's almost not worth it. Unless there's something you just can't let go!! :confused:

[Nathan]

We just shipped our scooter in,...

Then we had to send it through customs, where they charged us 12.5% of its value + the shipping costs. So the customs cost came to $352.00 NZD. ...

I don't think you were liable for duties if you are new immigrants.
I had a similar situation with one of my guitars. Customs took it from the Post and was holding it for duties. I called and explained that I'm a new perminent resident and they sent it on to me with no other questions and no fees.

I think you can request a reimbursement, too. I've read that on one of the threads here. It might be worthwhile to search it.

Cheers

[Jeni Elise]

^

The thing is, we're not really sure if we'll be permanently residing here, and we only have temporary work visas. So they wouldn't waive it. They did say, however, that the fee is just a deposit - refundable upon departure and shipping it back. We're just playing it by ear for now.

[stephenandjulie]

Hi,

We are also currently waiting to find out the MAF charges from our Removal Company and I'm trying to decide whether we should trust whatever figure they come up with on face value, or ask to pay MAF direct and see if the numbers differ! There are lots of horror stories on here about removal companies charging huge sums when MAF were actually charging quite small ones, equally there are lots of stories to the contrary.




The Moving Company wanted to charge us $378 for MAF fees. We questioned this and advised we would pay MAF direct. MAF came to our house to inspect various items and charged us just £145. Simple.

Hope this helps

Julie

[thezorbster]

Just make sure that your inventory gives detailed descriptions. Maf want to inspect 40 of our boxes and approx 10 of those are down to poor descriptions by the removals company. We had 8 under bed storage cartons full of books. Just realised they have described them on the inventory as 'storage cartons'. Maf obviously don't know what's in them and so have highlighted them as boxes to inspect. If they had been properly described as 'storage cartons -books' they wouldn't have been chosen so it is now costing us extra due to poor itemising by the packers.

Also - can anyone tell me why maf want to inspect an umbrella? :confused:

[vixxann]

[QUOTE=thezorbster;157451]Just make sure that your inventory gives detailed descriptions. Maf want to inspect 40 of our boxes and approx 10 of those are down to poor descriptions by the removals company. QUOTE]

thats not so good :no
which removals company did you use and do they know about the problem you have now?

(hope you're getting on ok:) )

[stephenandjulie]

Also - can anyone tell me why maf want to inspect an umbrella? :confused:

Could be a golfing umbrella??

[mgbridges]

Poor inventory is probably why our Removal Company are telling us that MAF want $245.00 +GST. I should have watched when they packed the garage much more closely - we have a load of boxes marked as 'Garage - Camping' and I know we have a grand total of 1 x 2 man (unused) tent!

I have already asked for a full breakdown of the MAF fees. Sadly we're not really in a position to ask to pay MAF directly as our stuff came Groupage and everything has already been inspected at the Removal Company's depot. Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow.