[tee and dee]

My OH has a trillion bits of tools incl many tool bits that are clean but "used" and look rusty but aren't if you know what I mean - he's already spent hours scrubbing some of them with wire wool, cleaner etc and doesn't know how hard to try. None are really outside tools - mainly joinery stuff. Any advice - packers come in a week. Should he continue to scub his fingers to the bone - he wants to keep them as he's accumulated them over a 20 year period at some expense !
Tracey :cheers

[gotourvisa]

Tracey Hi
My experience was they were mostly looking for soil on the tools. I borrowed a friends power washer and power washed anything that had been used outside, including bikes etc. My tools I left alone and there was no problem. The only thing they picked up on were a few bits on the lawn mower that I missed. Even that was no problem, he just scrapped them into a bag and took it away. I would imagine if OH just made sure the items had nothing clinging to it, it should be O.K.
Nigel

[Blakie]

Good post, good timing and good response. Thank you.

We are in the same boat at the moment with 10 days before removalists arrive. Darn, we just sold our mower. Have had the strimmer (Whippersnipper) and the chainsaw professionally cleaned.

I think Gotourvisa's response clears things up for us but tee and dee if you still want more info try Chippie - sorry not very clued up on how to post links to other forum members.

Cheers

Blakie

[jubjub]

We just removed any loose bits of rust/dirt and gave stuff a right good wash/disinfect, and a steam clean for the real stubborn stuff on the lawn mower.

They are mainly looking for mud/grass/seeds and any other plant material.

[Smiler]

Tracey

MAF are really looking for soil and seeds etc.

After cleaning them you could rub them with a thin coat of oil, before they are packed.

[felix]

My understanding is that everything has to be mint...totally clean and rust free..not too sure why rust is an issue..perchance as its somewhere soil etc can hide. I went to huge lengths and powerwashed, scrubbed, painted, disinfected everything that had been outdoors..okay it took time but MAF were well happy and I have heard stories where you are both charged for cleaning and given a right hard time if they find ought you have been careless with. Really it does pay to have everything squeaky clean in my opinion. They have huge powers (so I am told..bit like the VAT man) and can impound your goods or in some cases I have heard of containers being expelled from the country as the goods inside were not as they should be.

[andersonclan]

We pressure washed all the garden and outdoor stuff - but brought three tool boxes of OH's tools. They only checked the obvious outdoor stuff like lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, golf clubs, etc and ours all sailed through with flying colours.

Margaret

[marcia]

We emailed MAf a few months ago about this and here is a copy of the email i sent and the response!



We will be moving to new Zealand later on this year and have a few queries about some of the things we want to bring.

In the UK my husband’s hobby is racing F1 stock cars and he wishes to carry on racing in New Zealand in the super stocks. He builds his own cars and repairs them himself and has all the equipment to do the jobs. Can we bring over such items as, lathe, pillar drill, welder, grinders, drill bits, lathe tools etc, in the container with our household goods?



If we can bring these items what do we need to do as regards cleaning them, (we know that all traces of dirt need to be cleaned from any garden equipment – what are the requirements for engineering items?)



Thanking you in advance for your help on this matter.



Marcia Beaumont-smith



Marcia
There is no quarantine restriction on the importing of items listed & they can be sent as personal effects
They just need to be free of organic material & suggest you clean them down prior to shipment as they can often harbour insects & spiders (perhaps spray them with a residual flyspray)
Hope this is of assistance

Regards

Chris Spence
Duty Manager
MAF Quarantine Service
Christchurch
Ph 03 358 1872
027 6730422
fx 03 358 1854