[mattford]

Does anyone know of any restrictions on shipping scientific equipment to NZ? I have a pretty good microscope at home that I'd like to take with me (NZ pond life under the microscope - CAN'T WAIT!!), but I wondered if customs might raise issues on laboratory stuff being shipped into the country (they might think it's a biological hazard if it hasn't been sterilized or something?).

In reality the worst thing I've ever had under the lens is some green slime scooped from the bottom of the boating pond in Regent's park and a squashed beetle.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Karl i know you're a man of science, any ideas?

Cheers,
Matt

[karltsmith]

Hi Matt,

No probelm bringing in said microscope! Just clean it in the normal way. I brought in 2 1920's analytical balances, I collect old analytical balances, no problem. I also bought in an Edwardian field microscope. If you have specimens this might cause a problem but as long as they are mounted under glass should be OK.

Regards

Karl

[mattford]

Thanks karl. I thought I'd leave the mounted specimens I have behind anyway. How careful did you have to be when shipping the analytical balances? Fortunately I kept all the packaging for my microscope so it should pack away quite safely.

Cheers for the info!

Matt

[karltsmith]

Hi Matt,

Crown relocations flow packed them with polystyrene chips in individual boxes. I removed the pans wrapped them in tissue and sellotaped them inside the balance. I then tied down the balance arm in it's locke dposition, reoved the quartz knifes edges and packed them in a matchbox. Covered th graticule with a cardboard spacer and that was it...all up about 20 mins work! Both arrived in the same number of pieces that they started!