[marcia]

My hubby thinks he's gonna fill 'my container' (when we get to that point!) with all his tools and equipment that he has accumulated over the years, believe me he could fill a 20 footer by himself with all his rubbish.

Does anyone know if there are restrictions on exactly what can be brought over?

If he has to sell most of his stuff he wants to know how much replacements are in NZ and how good quality they are. He says he wants to look at some tool stores when we come out in Jan to price stuff up (I think not!!!)

Anyone got any tips or advice for us?

[Brian]

I've been struggling with the same question myself, particularly since my nifty 6-piece cordless tool set comes with a 110v-only charger. Not sure if I should bring it over and try to order a new charger or sell and rebuy individual tools when needed.

Here's the website of one of the hardware store chains. They don't have a huge selections of tools on the site but at least it can provide some reference. Some tools seem to be about the same as in the US, others are 2x or more.

http://www.mitre10.co.nz/

[Miffy]

You'd be surprised what you can fit into a 20ft container. We had 3 bed detached with 2 sheds and only 3/4 filled it.

My advice would be to bring everything. The power / voltage is similar so everything (apart tvs) work, you'll just need adapter plugs or change the plugs over when you get here.

I really regret e-baying my dyson (the husband talked me into it I can't remember why now ...)

The cost of relocating out here is alot so you won't want to pay out extra for stuf that you used to have in your original country, if only you had squeezed it into the container.

AND all the 'man tools' will be useful to reassemble all your furntiure when you get here :smile

[veronica]

Sorry, but if he's got it, clean it and bring it, you can get an amazing amount in a container and when things are packed up properly they don't take up as much space as you would think. Even if each individua item seems very reasonable when converted to pounds when you have to buy a lot of gear at one time it soon adds up. Also, once you are here you will have to think in dollars and forget about pounds, then the cost doesn't seem to feel as cheap.

[marcia]

Thanks for the advice.

I am trying to find out if anything is restricted too - he has loads of racking in the cellar and garage, with little drawers labelled up with nuts bolts etc etc. Are things like this allowed - would everything have to be totally degreased, and spotless??

I have tried searching to see if anything is restricted, and all i get on the MAF website is plant and machinery - which could cover a multitude of things.

He uses loads of these stuff for his hobby which is stock car racing, so it isn't business stuff, but will it cause a problem.

I'm trying to find out now because he has so much stuff (and is still buying more from ebay!!) we will have to sell some of it, but I want to know want he is allowed to take!

thanks for any help!

[Miffy]

You can pretty much bring anything in, its just food stuffs (and the usual illegal things drugs ... guns etc) that you need to be wary off.

We cleaned up all our 'man' power tools before getting them packed. Getting off the dust, dirt etc.
Same with anything to do with the garden.

The things that MAFF wanted to view were all garden furniture and utensils, all camping equipment, canoe and asseories, in fact anything that was envolved being used outside. Its was all checked and came through just fine (again we had spen a weekend cleaning everthing up, if we hadn't MAFF would have steamed cleaned it for us and charged us for it.)

My advise would be, clean it, pack it, and declare it on the customs / maff form. if indoubt, delcare it on the form. If MAFF doesn't like the look of it they will want to review it and make a decision from there. Htere was things that we declared on the MAFF form, just in case, that they didn't bother with.
If an item is not mentioned on the MAFF don't bring it in list, its prolly safe to bring it in.

Oh when your stuff is all packed up and taken away your moving company will give you a list of what is packed. KEEP THIS SAFE! along with the paperwork that you used to work out the value of your goods for insurance purposes.
When you do the import Customs paperwork will want this figure and having a list of what you packed will help when you have to declare various restricted goods. for example listing camping goods, garden furntiure items made out of animal skin etc etc etc.

[sarahw]

I agree - bring them (and any other tools he hasn't got but he thinks he might need)!!

Sorry know this will probably not want to be what you want to hear but Ian gave away so many tools before we left the UK & we now realise we really could do with them & can't afford to replace them very quickly!

[jonSE]

Marcia

Unless you have good reason to thinkit won't all fit in a 20 foot container - most peoples stuff will - we only failed because we put 3 houses stuff in one 20 foot and the rest occupied a very small part of a 40 foot (the res had cars in) bring it all. Most household/tool stuff will cost the same here new as it does in the UK accounting for exchange rate differences. But it seems to be worth more 2nd hand in NZ.

Stock car racing is big here - your hubby will fit right in - I guess the classes are different and there is a lot of dirt track here versus UK style but he'll love it. Bring it all.

Jon - left very very little behind.

[marcia]

Marcia


Stock car racing is big here - your hubby will fit right in - I guess the classes are different and there is a lot of dirt track here versus UK style but he'll love it. Bring it all.

Jon - left very very little behind.

He's been invited to race when we visit in January if they can find him a car - he'll probably love it - the Brits are getting a bit 'soft' on the contact side and kev has always been known for his 'big hits.' Apparently the kiwis are quite rough so I'm sure he'll love it. Also the 'shale' tracks in the Uk are slowly disappearing and many are changing to tarmac as it's cheaper to maintain - but the racing on the tar is not as good - kev prefers to get dirty!! We will be visiting the tracks at Rotorua on the 14/15th jan and then palmerston North on the following weekend. Kev has also offered his spare car over here to a Kiwi for the world final in September (building up as many contacts as possible here!! :P )

[jonSE]

Marcia

I just re read this thread after a month.

Your OH should have no problem bringing all his nuts bolts shelving etc. Just make sure the inventory list is not full of "miscellaneous" boxes. If it is a box of bolts make sure it is labelled and inventoried as such. Maybe a box of NUTS will need to be explained though!

MAF are only interested in Biological/Animal hazards - Some oily nuts and bolts do not present a threat to NZs wildlife - A tent with all the mud seeds and pests from the English countryside does pose a threat.

But they take their job seriously and will look at anything not inventoried accurately.

Our MAF inspector seemed to appreciate that we had A) cleaned everything from the garden and B) got all the boxes that they wanted to inspect ready for them (incl the ones marked misc - like the one with a selection of computer bits some CDs and a piano stool) C) went and found the boxes with stuff like garden chairs and gardening tools tat they hadn't listed to be inspected.

they aren't there to get you they really are trying to prevent non native organisms getting in - if they weren't doing this NZ wouldn't be the same place it is.

Jon

[katandbob]

mmm, reading this site, is making me have conflicting thoughts about shipping our stuff over.
on another site they said if it wasnt worth much then sell it and get new stuff.
ok on principal but you're all right about the cost of buying large amounts mounting up.

are Mountain bikes cheaper over there as we have a brand new one in the shed, which the youngest has used twice since getting it for xmas 04!
and what about a Yamy DTR 125 01 trials bike? it has just cost us £900 for the lad to go to college on. are they available over there as he can't wait to get over to NZ and start doing some off road etc (as long as hes not being serious about wanting to do stunts such as 'superman' etc over ramps! eek)
I will have my Horsy stuff - it costs around £24 for a pair of Jodphurs, and £45 for a short winter riding coat are they around about the same over there or should I re kit myself out before arriving?
My Hubby has a MIG welder, is it worth bringing this out?

thanks in advance
(I have been sat here sincce 7.45am! I am supposed to be up in the loft sorting out stuff for junking etc he he, good site!!)

[marcia]

Kat and bob

There is so much advice about what to take and what not to, it is hard to deicde. We are lucky that we are going in january for a reccy and part of our time will be spent going around shops looking at prices of stuff, especially tools and equip, to see if it is worth selling in the uk and buying new in nz.

I would imagine that problems can occour if stuff from the uk breaks down and you need spare parts! Specially on stuff like welders, and motorbikes. Will post on here our findings when we get back from our trip!

[katandbob]

Thanks Marcia,

We would love to go and have a look see too, but its so expensive and while were away my hubby would be missing out on around 600 a week!, but maybe when the contracts finnished and we can get a flight cheap we may go -or a lottery win ;-)

I am comprising a spreadsheet of price comparisons from web pages, our flat scn LCD tv would cost £1500 still and they are going for £999 at the min here - and it has dual plugs!
and if it dont work - rob will have a huge monitor for his PC - ha ha

kat