[tigerlily]

We are self-packing. I'm sure that other people have had this feeling- but I'm becoming paranoid that there is something in every box that will cause problems with MAF or customs! Something wooden- should I be wiping down or varnishing everything made of wood!?

Small things that I have had floating around, but are still technically unused? Package of easter basket green paper- it's causing me stress! That's how I know it is paranoia.

I know they really won't care about this stuff- it's the camping/fishing gear/boots/Christmas decorations/lawn mower (off being professionally cleaned right now!) that they'll want to see. But I have to sign the document that says there is nothing new and unused (and I think it even says not new, but unused) in the container. But many small things are unused- like would anyone bring used zip-lock bags!? Ok, I think I've lost my mind now.

[kanatakiwi]

OK first of all....take a breath. it will be fine. :D
If it makes you feel better put your wood items in one box, but they are not really interested in anything wooden that has been treated, they are just wondering if you happen to have driftwood or old barnboard items that are full of borer or something scary. When I talked to customs MAF they told me they dont inspect every single wood item. As things like borer are so common here and can be in the indoor furniture they are careful but not obsessive. As bugs in your indoor furniture would be pretty uncommon in the US I dont think you need worry too much.

We did put all our fishing, camping, gardening, golfing, sporting and BBQ gear in one big box and that was the only one they looked at.
As to new stuff, they are not concerned with small items but if you bring in new large and expensive items like furniture, appliances etc, they will want to tack on GST/duty or whatever it is they make you pay. If you are bringing anything that is commercial or relates to a business venture you have, you will be dinged for that. (My friend brought a bunch of manuals for her little life coaching business and had to pay duty for that)

We self-packed and saved a lot of money, but we got some professional advice from friends who do pack and move households. (Stuff tissue on the corners of frames etc to absorb the humidity so it doesnt ruin the pictures/prints, tape masking tape on your glass items, in the form of an X. --that way if there is any breakage, it holds together and doesnt damage prints or other items. etc etc) Common sense really.

Once it is all packed on the way you can relax and await the excitement of opening all those boxes in NZ! Its like meeting old friends again:nice1

[IanW99]

...
We self-packed and saved a lot of money, but we got some professional advice from friends who do pack and move households. (Stuff tissue on the corners of frames etc to absorb the humidity so it doesnt ruin the pictures/prints, tape masking tape on your glass items, in the form of an X. --that way if there is any breakage, it holds together and doesnt damage prints or other items. etc etc) Common sense really.


Word of warning about using masking tape, you can buy different grades of tape which lasts different length of time without leaving a residue. As the items will have the tape left on them for a long time whilst the items are in the container, you may end up with a horrid cleaning job afterwards if you get the wrong one :uhoh .

Ian

[kanatakiwi]

Word of warning about using masking tape, you can buy different grades of tape which lasts different length of time without leaving a residue. As the items will have the tape left on them for a long time whilst the items are in the container, you may end up with a horrid cleaning job afterwards if you get the wrong one :uhoh .

Ian

Agreed. We used the stuff from the shipping company. dont use the stuff from the Dollar store!!:no

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

The answer is, I think, just use common sense. MAF are oly interested in what could be potentially dangerous. Items such as wooden chopping boards or pan handles don't come into that category.

If you were bringing items such as untreated building timber from your garage, then they would be interested.

[tigerlily]

Thanks, I feel better now about bringing in the unused soap- who would bring in used soap- yuck!


What about ikea type untreated wood bed frames? Worth varnishing?

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

They might not be varnished, but they will have been treated in some way, I would think, as part of the manufacturing process, so no, I wouldn't bother.

The thing we were most annoyed about not sorting properly was our Dyson vac.

We kept it from being packed so we could give the house a final hoover, but of course by then the truck was packed up and gone, so we had no choice but to leave it behind and buy a new one here (they're not cheap)

If we'd thought about it we should have borrowed a neighbours vac, hoovered and cleaned ours thoroughly with theirs, and let it get packed. then used neighbours for cleaning house and return it.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[lockstock]

Thanks BBB you just answered my 'what to do with the vac' question. :nice1

[tigerlily]

I decided that I would have that problem with all the cleaning supplies, so hired a cleaning lady for the next afternoon. That part atleast, I don't have to do myself!

[lockstock]

Even better tigerlily!:laugh

[Smiler]

The removal men may jump up and down and refuse to pack flammable cleaning materials, like Mr Muscle oven cleaner.

So clean your oven, bin the can and have takeaways for three days. ;)

What BBB says about the Dyson. :D

They cost around NZ$700-850 here, so clean and pack yours and borrow the neighbours on the last day. :nice1

[holland]

Tigerlily, oh my goodness, I could have written your post, I am doing all of the major sorting today as we have shippers in on Thurs/Fri....

Good Luck

J xx