[Cardy]

Hello everybody
I,ve just had a confirmation letter from Gb liners they are shipping my stuff in a reefer container. I,m going to ring them now to try and change it as i have read the problems some people have had with them. But just in case its too late has anybody got personal experience of goods being shipped in these please GOOD or BAD!! Also could someone tell me when you actually get the MAF inspection is it at the port or at your residence in NZ. all the threads about the rip offs with the maf charges from the shippers are winding me up to. Havent got long to sort it out there here to load our stuff on 2nd march at 8.30 am. All info welcome
Thanks Paul and Bev :( :uhoh

[jim&alma]

Reefers are usually used for food stuff as well as for cargoes that have to be kept at a stable atmosphere to store them in excellent condition for the whole trip (for temp, humidity, etc.). Maybe you have cargoes like that? Otherwise, you can ask the shipping line why they're recommending a reefer for your cargoes.

[sarahw]

Usually the shipping co. recommends a reefer because its smaller inside (i.e. you have less stuff & won't fit a full container) & because they often have trouble filling them on the journey back from wherever they've come from. (Obviously its completely cleaned out after holding foodstuffs to then go to holding household stuff.

Our shipping co. recommended one & we booked it.... on the day they didn't have a reefer so we had a 20ft container - they told us they would fill it like a reefer (i.e. that we couldn't use the whole space in the container since we'd paid for a smaller container) and we'd be charged for extra space, but since we'd paid for sole use of the container it wasn't going to be used by anyone else it didn't really seem to matter. When I clapped eyes on them closing it up it was absolutely stacked to the seams so I don't think they took their own advice & we never got charged any extra.

Good luck!

[Cardy]

Thanks Sarah thats made us feel a bit better i have spoken to them today and they said it will be fumigated and dry and if not i can send it away for a replacement. Its all go here now trying to get ready.Cheers 5 new kiwis :raebanana :clap

[Marie P]

HI Paul ,

We had a reefer [used GB Liners too ],we figured a reefer must be cleaner than a 20ft if it transports food too .

When your stuff gets delivered ,you have the itemised list ,and you tick off the box number as it is taken off the container ,you tell the guys where you want it .Some box numbers were highlighted [camping gear ,diving gear ,golf shoes ,garden chairs ,christmas decorations ,etc] and these have to be left in an area [in our garage ] and not be opened .The MAF guy came to our house 2 days later and just asked about most boxes and a had a very and I mean a very quick glance into a dive bag and a the tent bag .

We told the shipper guys we would pay MAF ourselves ,they accepted this ,but the MAF guy still hasn't sent a bill .[he said his charge would be about $150 ,wheras the shippers had asked for over $380].

Good luck .

Marie x

[Cardy]

Thanks Marie . The more good news i get the better. How are you finding NZ ?