[marshanite]

Sorry, cant find the thread that I was reading last night (one of my 4 yr olds has dragged me out of bed at the crack of dawn!).Couldn't go to sleep thinking about it!

We have been advised by the agent who has found OH a job, to arrive on a visitors visa, then he would arrange a work permit while we wait for PR. He reckons that there isn't time to get the WP before we leave (OH has only just sent off all the documents for NZQA).

Having read the thread about the new rules since nov 2007, I am worried that we will have a huge GST bill. We will be sending the car over to Auckland stuffed with clothes, toys,other essentials & then hope to have our furniture shipped when the house sells (fingers crossed!)

How about a short trip to visit family in Oz once WP comes through - would that solve the problem?

This info has really scuppered my plans - but I am so grateful for all your experiences & advice (knowledge is power; & more power to us!)

Thanks, Fi (mrs Marshanite still squatting hubby's username cos I can't register with my hotmail address!)

[Smiler]

Mrs M

I haven't a clue about the new rules and regs, but have a look at Lockstock's thread here http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15539

There may be an answer for you soon.

[marshanite]

:cheers that was very helpful. great motto btw :clap

[Smiler]

You're welcome!:)

Just check though because I don't think you can stuff things in the car. :(

We imported ours and it had to be empty, even though it would have saved a lot of space in the container (I had big idea's of stacking all my fragile stuff in there) :o

If you do decide to bring your car, make sure it meets the NZ requirements and keep any documentation stating this for production on arrival to LTNZ. Also make sure it is squeaky clean inside and out before it leaves the UK.

Just ask if you need any more help.

Edited to add the fact sheet from LTNZ http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/publications/infosheets/infosheet-1-67.html

[marshanite]

That factsheet is really helpful.
Some shipping companies have said that we can pack the car with personal effects & some have said not. We have chosen a company who will allow the car to be packed with stuff, so long as it is itemised. They build a 20 ft container around the car (rather than roll on roll off).It is slightly more expensive
than roro. Just hope we don't encounter problems with NZ customs?!

We have 4 yr old twins so I am having the carpets & seats steam cleaned!

I'm going to ask hubby for help to give you a little green square!

All the best, Fi.

[Smiler]

Hi Fi

No worries. This is one of my bug bears!

Our car was badly damaged (and our motorbikes!) and the loss adjuster thought it had been on a ro-ro ferry, not containered. Infact it was delivered to us with a sticker that said it was too dangerous to drive! :( The shipping co forgot to send our car keys ad we had to wait for them to be couriered out from the UK DOH!

Anyway 2.5 years on, I'm nearly over it. :D :laugh But we wouldn't do it again.

Make sure you have decent insurance. We used Letton Percival for everything, they were a good price (from memory about 1.6%) and their after service was outstanding. :nice1

TBH I'd still check with MAF/Customs that they will allow the removal co to do this and keep all copies of emails, including names of people. When you pack stuff in the car, make the item list as you say and if you have anything that you think MAF will need to see, keep it in a separate box.

Well I could go on, but with 4 yr old twins, you're probably sitting somewhere quiet with a glass of savvie blanc. Enjoy!

Oh and PS make sure you can get the parts for the car here in NZ, otherwise it's $$.

[marshanite]

Feel like I've been bashing it against a brick wall! Noone seems to know anything :no. One shipping company that had said packing the car with personal effects was ok, got back to me to say that we can't after all. I'm loosing confidence in the ones who say it can be done.

I'm beginning to think that we should learn from your experience & just sell the damned car before we leave. Hubby's motorbike is already on the market. Seems like we would have to pay GST on the car anyway with the new law.

I might just send the toys airfreight (got a quote for £410 for 100kgs) & buy a cheap japanese car!

Can't think straight - must get twins into bed & have large glass of wine :yes .

Anyway, your advice has been invaluable smiler - I love this forum :clap

Fi.

[lockstock]

Aw Marshanite - this is just the start, but you'll get through it. Unless it's a really special car I'd be inclined to sell it before you go. The cars over here are good and the car buying experience is amazing. There's a good range but not too many colours (did I write that out loud?)

Keep your chin up (but take the glass away first) and look forward to the next obstacle which you will also overcome.

[kanatakiwi]

one option which wouldnt work for Marshanite but might for others so will offer it up.
I'm one of those who came in on a visitors permit and then submitted PR so not shipping belongings for me!.. however if there is one family member who has the longer work permit or PR, everything can be shipped in their name.

[marshanite]

kanatakiwi, that is a very good idea if you can manouever it, though I fear that most won't be able to.

I called the customs helpline & he was very unimpressed with my offering of "If OH comes for job interview then leaves the country coming back with a WP, will we avoid GST?" He was adamant that the first visa you enter the country on is the relevant visa (ie, no). I think that customs will be hot on this one for a while. He explained that they are trying to encourage people to go through the 'proper procedures' and arrange the correct visas before arriving in NZ.

I have decided to stop stressing about it as there's sweet fanny adams that I can do to change the situation. As you say lockstock; chalk it up to (expensive) experience. It is the price we have paid for being impetuous people!

We have decided to sell the car, and take 40 kgs of toys on the plane with us
(the twins allowance) & ship the rest when the house sells (all extremities crossed :roll ).

I have clicked on your scales & left a comment, but you don't seem to have any more green thingys!

Best Wishes, Fi (mrs M)

[IanW99]

...
I called the customs helpline & he was very unimpressed with my offering of "If OH comes for job interview then leaves the country coming back with a WP, will we avoid GST?" He was adamant that the first visa you enter the country on is the relevant visa (ie, no). I think that customs will be hot on this one for a while. He explained that they are trying to encourage people to go through the 'proper procedures' and arrange the correct visas before arriving in NZ.
...


I'm sure that it can't be true that the first visa you enter the country on is the one that counts, even if that is what customs are saying.

A lot of immigrants come to NZ initially on holiday and then decide to emigrate, if they were to follow this rule then none of them could bring their personal belongings into NZ without charge.

If the rule is as they are telling you, then how long would you need to be out of NZ before it would be Ok? This would have to be defined somewhere yet AFAIK it isn't.

Even if this rule was as stated then, your OH could visit on a tourist visa, get a job offer, leave and apply for work permit. Then when you ship your belongings you do this in your name, assuming that this is the first time you enter the country and have the appropriate visa. Doesn't appear to break the rules?

Ian

[IanW99]

Hi Fi (mrs M),

If you talk to customs again (or anyone else does), could you please ask them the name of the legislation that was changed on the 15th November. I would really like to study this to see what it actually says and also what it was intended to achieve.

I have been reviewing the various customs legislation but can't find any that cover this rule change?

Ian