[Will_2007]

Hi all,

I have a few items I'm not sure I can take in the container, basically on my travels around the world I've collected a few knives and spears like these:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/1661956_568bee9aae.jpg, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Guatemalan_machete_scabbard.jpg/136px-Guatemalan_machete_scabbard.jpg
and one like what this chap is holding...
http://www.porpsw.com/Travels/Africa/images/Mvc-004f_Masai_Village_Warrior_With_Spear.jpg

Some of them are bound with, or have scabbards made from, cured animal hide. Does anyone know if this will be a problem with customs or MAF? I tried emailing the biosecurity peeps but haven't heard anything from them.

Would I be best just ensuring I know what number box they are in, and make sure that box is near the front of the container (along with the bikes, the walking boots, the camping gear, the gardening tools and the Christmas decorations!)?

Cheers,

Will.

[dilanium]

I emailed biosecurity and it took them a few days but they did eventually get back to me.

I unfortunately don't have any more information than that, but I can see why you wouldn't want to get rid of them.

[Georgebulldog]

Have you checked the banned items on the customs website only it's just cost us a fortune because we bought in an ornamental pipe, turned out to be OK but the fee was from the removals for all their leg work, also just had a drum from the Gambia taken away by MAF as made of skin to be fumigated, was quoted $50 but $0 to destroy so took that option as a childs toy.
Wish I had known about Customs beforehand not just MAF, well worth finding out before hand so your stuff doesn't get held up because of them, something that also has happened to us, had to wait Customs t be free to x-ray
Hope his helps a bit
Good luck

[wiki]

I needed a police clearance to bring in my antique cavalry sword.

I rang police in the city I was going to and asked for the firearms officer. Described my sword and asked if I needed a permit and he said yes.

I emailed him my details and photos of the weapon and he passed them on to Wellington weapons centre for approval. I got my permit (Sent to NZ residence) about three weeks later.

When our boxes arrived, Customs looked at the itinerary and asked to see permit for sword.

Permit didn't cost anything - but worth getting rather than risking confiscation.

The issue of MAF and animal skin is separate. I brought in a reindeer hide which didn't need to be treated by MAF, but they wanted to look at it to see if it had been properly cured.

good luck

[ICR]

Hello everybody,

This may be a dumb question but I feel I should ask it.

Would my lawnmower need to be specially cleaned before being taken in, if so would it not be better purchase a new one in NZ.

The same applies to woodworking tools, table saws etc..

Thanks

[JandM]

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/commercial-transport-and-border-management/arriving-by-sea/restricted-items
This may help.

We're thinking that in some cases, it'll be less hassle to replace things on arrival. But it depends on NZ prices and availability, and we're doing a lot of Googling and looking around on TradeMe.