[Angela]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to pack stuff in old cardboard boxes - especially boxes that contained food (like frozen chips in plastic bags). The boxes have things like apples, frozen chips, etc printed on the side of the box.

Also, do you have to get a lawn mower steam cleaned and do you need evidence of this.

Thanks in advance

[veronica]

We used secondhand boxes from a variety of sources and this wasn't questioned at all. For your own sakes just make sure they are clean and dry though.

[Diny]

Have you thought about asking the company who are actually shipping the container (after you've packed it) whether they can supply boxes.

Britannia are shipping our container but we're doing a self pack. They have supplied all the boxes, paper and tape.

Diny

[veronica]

You usually have to pay for those at a price they set. Anyone in Essex there is a funny little place of the A127 just between Wickford and Rayleigh that sells clean flat pack 2nd hand boxes relatively cheaply. PM me if you want the phone no. and address.

[Moorf]

We too received free flat-packed boxes, tape and even marker pens from our previous shipper when moving down to Sussex from Scotland with Shore Porters. And likewise, GB Liners, who are shipping us out here, provided my mother with free boxes as she had some of our items in her house that she was self packing.

You'd think it would be in their interest to provide suitable boxes - plus wouldn't using "other" boxes affect insurance? i.e if a box isn't fit for purpose could they argue this was cause of breakages and then negate your insurance? Just a thought... :?

[Milliemoo]

Diny,

Did I see on another thread somewhere that your self packing apart from the furniture. That sounds ideal. I really want to pack our books and CDs in appropriate boxes alphabetically so that when we unpack they can go straight on the shelf :mrgreen: I wouldn't expect a packing company to do this :laugh

How does it affect the insurance when you do it half and half this way? Does it mean your only covered for the furniture that they pack themselves?

Milliemoo :nice1

[Diny]

Hi Millie

That's right, the furniture only is being packed by the shipping company, and we're doing everything else.

Everything is insured once it is loaded onto the container, obviously if I break/damage something while I'm packing it the shipping co will not pay up, but once it's on it's way it's fully covered.

I must admit, I'm glad we're doing the packing ourselves (or should I say myself :? ), I've grouped things together which I hope will make things easier for me the other end.

As for the packing boxes, tape, paper etc, they were NOT included on the quote but have been given free of charge.

Diny

[Milliemoo]

Thanks Diny! :P

Milliemoo :nice1

[NW2NZ]

Can anyone tell me how long the estimator is at your house? I know this will differ subject to size of houses, amount of "stuff" etc, but I've booked a day off work in a few weeks to get quotes and PSS are coming at 10.30am. I want to get at least a couple of quotes on the day, so as not to waste a full day's holiday, and wonder if I book someone else for say a couple of hours later, are PSS likely to have finished?

After reading this through, I do realise this is one of those daft "how long is a piece of string" questions!! :oops:

[Diny]

We've had 4 different companies come to quote us. If you allow yourself an hour - maybe an hour 15 mins each appointment I'm sure you'll be ok.

Tell the person that you have another company coming to give you a quote. It'll make them get on with the job and it will also show them that you're shopping around for the best price. You never know, it may just work in your favour.

Diny

[markyspark]

I have just sent an email to MAF, will let you know what they say. Interesting links on this subject:

http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/contact/enquiries.htm
http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/personal-effects/index.htm

this is what the shipping company have to sign,

http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/personal-effects/IHSSEACO-APPENDIX%20I.pdf

Hope this helps

[NW2NZ]

Cheers Diny, I'll get in touch with a few more then and make a day of it!

[markyspark]

Here is the reply I got from MAF, I did ask "do we need to get our lawn mower and other garden equipment steam cleaned along with evidence of this, ie a receipt"
-------------------

Dear Mark,

One thing to watch out for when using recycled boxes is that you do not
use egg carton boxes. We have no problems with other types of food
boxes.

It is a good idea to get garden equipment and lawnmowers cleaned, but
on arrival in NZ they will be inspected, and recleaned if necessary.

I hope this helps,

Kelly Anderson
Quarantine Officer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see, nothing specifically saying you need to steam clean, although things do need cleaning thoroughly, and perfectly acceptable to take those boxes. :cheers

[Angela]

Many thanks all, lots of help :cheers