[spid]

I love wood and have alot of wooden furniture and ornaments. SOmeif the ornaments i can lose but that still leaves 90%, tables, chairs, bokcases etc. Will the MAF have to inspect everything? They will have to unpack the whole container if they do and that i assume will be very costly.:wah

we also have a couple of bits with wicker in - i'm willing to get rid of these if necessary as i believe these are more difficult

[marcia]

Its awful isn't it - worrying over everything!!!

MAF are only interested in any wood which may contain intsects or bugs or diseases. (thats why they don't like wicker!) They want to inspect any UNTREATED wood, so normal furniture which has been polished or waxed is ok.

Be careful about what your shipping company say as well, they can sometimes be very misleading, check on here first with folks who have - been there, seen that, got the tee shirt!!!!!

[Jo Jo]

I brought loads of wooden furniture as well. The only things MAF inspected were wooden boxes, for some reason - they completely ignored all the other wooden stuff (shelves, beds, chairs, tables, bowls, ornaments, etc.)

[IanW99]

Its awful isn't it - worrying over everything!!!

MAF are only interested in any wood which may contain intsects or bugs or diseases. (thats why they don't like wicker!) They want to inspect any UNTREATED wood, so normal furniture which has been polished or waxed is ok.

Be careful about what your shipping company say as well, they can sometimes be very misleading, check on here first with folks who have - been there, seen that, got the tee shirt!!!!!

It should also be noted that if you did bring over something that MAF weren't happy with, then you would be given the option of destroying the item or having it fumigated at your cost. So if you want to bring it then it is still an option.

Ian

[Familyofmonkeys]

We brought loads of wicker, sea grass and rattan stuff....despite the shipping company saying it would be a no-no! MAF did inspect it all...but we made sure it was all packed together so fewer items to open. You can clean wicker stuff with mild detergent and thorough air dry....make sure to mention it when you fill in the MAF declaration forms. Even if your stuff does need fumigating, it is no where near as expensive as commonly believed.

Also....we brought all of our outdoor wooden garden furniture and even some plant pots. All cleaned with Jays fluid (as advised by MAF when we spoke to them direct) and then treated with teak oil. Again....it would probably help to mention what you cleaned with on forms so they spend less time inspecting.

Another one...we brought our lawn mowers and garden implements....cleaned as advised by MAF...and the shipping company advised us to get rid of it all.

[Steadybears]

Hi Spid - I contacted MAF idrectly and queried the wicker chair I have and I attach their email replying to my query.

'Thanks for your enquiry.

The wicker chair should be ok to enter NZ, however if it has any insects
or insect holes it may require fumigation treatment, costing approx $35.


And please remember to declare your items on the declaration card when
you arrive.

We appreciate your initiative in helping keep New Zealand beautiful.


Regards,

WeiOnn
Quarantine Inspector
MAFBNZ"

Hope that will help you.

Jayne

[spid]

thanks for all your help - this has helped a lot.:raebanana :raebanana

WHat is the price of garden furniture out there? i may leave ours behind.

[neilw71]

FYI - we brought in a wooden garden sculpture as a gift to my wife and much treasured. When the MAF lady opened it, all we saw was a mass of mushroom like growth all over it! The moisture in it and the heat in the container had led to ideal growing conditions for lots of spores in the wood.

I was gutted, as I was sure the lady would wrap it straight back up and say "I'll have to take that"! Anyway - all she did was give it a cursory glance and say that we would be best giving it a hose down and all will be fine!

Neil

[IanW99]

thanks for all your help - this has helped a lot.:raebanana :raebanana

WHat is the price of garden furniture out there? i may leave ours behind.

Simplest option is for you to check for yourself e.g. Mitre10 outdoor furniture (http://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/outdoor_living/outdoor_furniture/index.cfm) which shows the range of furniture available and the prices.

Ian