[auskiwi]

I am literally in the middle of packing up our kitchen. We are both obsessed cooks and have an enormous spices collection. Does anyone know if we can bring spice jars in our shipping container? Some are new, others are half full etc...I'd hate to have to replace all of it. Thanks a million!

Amy.

[Nienke]

My spices were packed into the container, together with some other food stuff, and the packers labelled the box as 'food stuff'. Somehow the MAF did not want to see this box, but I know there are some restrictions on what food you can bring here.

[Moorf]

http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/foodstuffs/index.htm

Even MAF are a big vague - I'd pop them all in a sealable bag or box and declare them on inventory - let them sift through them.

[Park City Partner]

I brought all of mine. The shippers packed the stuff and I don't think it was specifically designated on the inventory...no problems for us.

[Blakie]

Try emailing MAF as Moorf suggests. They are pretty quick with responses (usually). Then if you get a favourable response keep the email, copy it several times and attach a copy to your inventory with the relevant sentence highlighted.

I have asked this question for NZ wooden bowls and ornaments which are now on their way back and also for things made of paua shell.

Like you we want to take all our spices and I was just going to put them all into one of those clear plastic boxes, list on inventory and put it in container last incase mAF want to inspect.

Good luck.

[SoCal Gal]

Hi Amy,
You can also bring the ones you really need with you on the plane, I always bring things from Trader Joe's down to my NZ friends. This last time, in my luggage I had microwave popcorn, 3 kinds of chili powder in those little bags with the paper across the top (never opened of course) Jiffy mufin mix, cherry pie filling, and candy. I declared it all, and the only thing they wanted to see was the popcorn, (if I had declared it as microwave popcorn, no problem). The inspector asked me if it was the ones in the little blue bag, I said yes, and she sent me on my merry way. So if you have room, definately put your favorite spices right in your luggage and declare them!
SoCal Gal

[Blakie]

That American microwave popcorn can be bought in Wellington somewhere as my sister sends it to us in France! Delicious.

[anna_c]

That American microwave popcorn can be bought in Wellington somewhere as my sister sends it to us in France! Delicious.

It can be bought pretty much everywhere in Wellington. Personally I'm a traditionalist, despite having managed to burn the bottom of more than one pan.

[SoCal Gal]

And so the great popcorn debate begins! :-)
I should have been more specific.....it's microwave "Kettle Korn" flavor, and if anyone can find it in NZ, there will be about 10 very happy people that would love to get it locally! It's a sweet/salty hybrid, kind of like caramel corn without the stickiness. Do you know if it's available?

[auskiwi]

The micro kettle corn is ghastly! They use that fake sweetener stuff ( that I detest and can detect in the tiniest of quantities unfortunately). Nothing like the real fresh popped stuff you can buy at the fair... :( Hadn't even thought of bringing regular micro-popcorn over-had just figured it would be easily available in NZ. Better add that to my boxes!

Thanks to all for your assistance on the spices issue. You're awesome as usual!

Amy.

[Park City Partner]

the regular stuff is available but I haven't seen the kettle korn...but I don't like the micro stuff either...fake sweetner..ugh!