[justin.g.s]

My wife is a wee bit of a clean freak, and she is very attached to a few household cleaning items. She has asked it she can bring over laundry detergent, fabric softener, ect... thanks justin

[Diny]

Hi Justin

Are you talking about your carry luggage or your container?

I wouldn't have a clue whether you can pack detergents in your case - although if I was to hazard a guess I'd say it would be very unwise and not allowed.

However, last week we had a shipping company around to give us a quote, I asked them whether I could buy a supply of my favourite toiletries and cleaning products and pack them away in the container. They told me that, as far as they knew, there were no restrictions on a 'normal' amount of household cleaning items.

I have another company (Crown) coming today to give us another quote, I will make a point of asking them and then I will let you know.

Hope this helps.

Diny

[veronica]

what type does she like and i will see if its in the supermarket when i go next.

[Carol]

I brought LOADS of Body shop stuff when we came....reminded me of home for a while.
No problems with the container.....for us anyway.

It actually all went off before I used it all up!
:eek

[Diny]

Justin

Crown have been this afternoon and I specifically asked them about cleaning detergents etc. I was told that there would be no problem putting a 'personal amount' (i.e. - not export quantities) of cleaning agents etc in the container. They simply advised that they should be well wrapped and preferably put in plastic containers in case of leakage.

Hope this helps.

Diny

[Raeven]

Hi, Diny,

Oh, thank god. I was looking yesterday at the massive collection of cleaning products I've accumulated over the years and thinking I could have provided well for our retirement had I only invested the funds in an IRA instead. I'll purchase some plastic containers so these things can be taken along.

I do know that caustic or corrosive agents cannot be taken -- or at least that's what I've been told by our packers. I guess we'll leave it up to them what can go and what must stay, but the problem is, I don't really trust them! They were the same ones who told me I couldn't bring my herb and spice collection. But when I contacted MAF directly, they told me no problem, just declare it and let us inspect it when it comes in. I would have thrown away hundreds of dollars' worth of spices!!

I'll write to 'em again and see if I can get a definitive answer on all manner of cleaning products. Will keep you updated.

Justin, where've you been? How are things going for you guys?

All the best, Rae

[Diny]

Ahh - that reminds me ... he did say that flamable goods could not be packed for the obvious reasons.

I am lead to believe that herbs and spices are ok to bring in as long as they have been commercially produced and preferably in their original packaging. Anything you have grown yourself in the garden would be a definate no no (which I guess I can understand).

Something else which was pointed out to me this afternoon, any wicker wear or basket wear is advised against. You can take it if you wish, but it's almost certain that the customs guys will want to inspect it and maybe fumigate it should they see it listed on your documents. Not too sure what to do about this as one of my favourite pieces of furniture is a genuine Lloyd Loom (sp) high back chair that was given to me by my nanna.

It's all coming back to me now ............. anything that has been in contact with the 'earth' (bike tryres, garden furniture, kids outdoor toys, shoes etc) need to be scrubbed cleaned (pressure washer or steam cleaner) and then wiped down with Jayes Fluid or any other strong disinfectant. He said that if the contents of your container smell of a strong disinfectant then this will reduce the possibility of the customs doing a spot check on it. I'm now left thinking how long the smell of the disinfectant will remain on the furniture etc once it's 'in situ' in NZ.

Another thing that may be worth mentioning: I have been quoted for collection from UK to delivery in NZ times ranging from 5 weeks to 12 weeks. The main thing to take into account is that you have to be in NZ before your shipment arrives for customs/legal reasons.

Diny

[Raeven]

When I wrote to MAF, I asked about spice collections, wicker, wood, dried flower arrangements, feather pillows, feathers on hats, Christmas decorations, flokati rugs and other things which I can't remember now and can't locate in my e-mail reply from MAF because of the hard drive failure I suffered about 2 weeks ago. The reply essentially said it could all be brought over, should be declared and was subject to inspection. They are primarily concerned with viable seeds (spice collection, Christmas decorations with pinecones) and active insect infestations (wicker, wood, feathers).

I will be bringing over all these things.

And as you can see from my old post, I lied to Karl... sorry, Karl!!!

Rae

[Diny]

Something else which I found rather amusing.

In my spare bedroom I have a sheepskin rug next to the bed. We bought it in NZ a few years ago when our kids were still in push chairs. We would line the seat with the sheepskin and then the boys had a really warm 'nest' to sit in. Obviously they've grown out of pushchairs now so the rug is now used as it was originally meant to be.

Getting to the point ....man from 'Crown' came in this afternoon, pointed to the rug and said 'NO'. But .....it came from NZ in the first place I told him.

Doesn't matter, it can't go back.

How strange.

Diny

[Raeven]

Hi, Diny,

I'd disagree with that one. My flokati rug is a natural fiber woolen rug, and MAF said no problem. Here's a quote from their website:

Animal skin items
Various animal pests and diseases could be harboured; however like wooden items, these souvenirs would generally be allowed into the country after treatment.

I'd show this to Crown and see if you can take it, if you want to. Bear in mind you will probably incur the cost of treatment. Here's a link to that particular page: http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/animal-products/index.htm

Hope this helps!! - Rae

[Diny]

That's a big help Rae - I would like to take it. I think it has a 'stamp' on the 'hide' side of it which says something about NZ anyway, maybe that would be of some help if/when it was inspected.

Also (yeah - remembered something else) - we're buying a new vacuum cleaner to take with us (see previous thread re' Dyson Vacs). Strictly speaking we should be up for import duty on it but we've been told to take it out of the original box and just pack it with all the othr household stuff. Hopefully they won't pick up it's brand new and no duty will be charged.

Who would have thought there's so many regulations and subsequent loopholes involved.

Diny

[Raeven]

Hi, Diny,

I can't say this with any authority, because I haven't gone through to NZ yet.. but based on the many experiences I've read about of others, I get the feeling that MAF sort of looks the other way on these items. It's like the old joke, though... guy prays to God that he'll win the lottery, so each week he prays, checks, and he doesn't win... very disappointed... happens over and over... one day, big voice comes booming out of the sky, "Help me out, here -- buy a ticket!!!"

Meaning that if you give them half a chance, by taking your new goods out of the box and putting a few fingerprints on them, MAF workers can argue it's at least possible you got that vacuum cleaner/lawn mower/power tool as clean as if it were brand new so they let it go through without imposing duty!!

I'll find out if I'm right soon enough, I guess. :mrgreen:

Rae

[Diny]

I reckon a couple of scuff mark on the rubber bumper part of the vacuum and abit of biro here and there might make it look used.

That coupled with my 'I'm only a girlie and I didn't know I couldn't bring new things into the country' act might just work.

I'm willing to try my luck anyway.

Diny

[justin.g.s]

If my wife were an NBA player she would have said," BIG UPS Y'ALL." But as a gracious house wife she has instead said, "thank you very much."

We are still around, the house is sold, the check's in the bank :nice1
we were set to go over for a three week visit on Mon. But I think that we will push it back till oct 9th.

We are staying at the folks house, man O' man, packing with a 2.5 year old and a 4 month old was beyond belief.

Where is that emoticon with the with guy's eye twiching.

[karltsmith]

Hi Justin,

Cleaning stuff.....is that for real?????? My wife is also a cleaning fluid adict...collects them it seams (doesn't drink 'em...yet!)

Packing with the tots....yup...been there done that...with twin 2 yr old daughters........one step forward two steps back...

BTW.......I own the twutching eye emoticon........it has become my very dear friend these past months :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

Karl :cool