[toots]

Hi, we live up on the North Shore of Auckland. Arrived here from the UK back in June of this year. I usually post on another forum but thought people here may like to know what I've discovered too.

Our container arrived at our house in July and MAF said they wanted to inspect a few items (vacuum cleaner, christmas tree etc). The company that was delivering and unloading our container asked us to give £350 in cash to the guys on the van when they arrived, this was to pay for the MAF fee.

MAF arrived, we chatted, they inspected and went away happy.

A few days ago I checked with MAF and asked what their fee had been back in July, the answer was $112. A bit different to the £350 I had paid to my moving company.

Asking around it seems that it is common place for these companies to ask for a standard fee of £300-400 dollars if MAF want to inspect. They pay MAF and then somehow "forget" to refund you that difference. I can only imagine that they take such a large amount to pay for any potential fumigation, or a handling charge if they unload specific items in a warehouse etc. But our case had none of this.

If you think you have been ripped off contact MAF and ask them how much your fees came to. If there is a difference you may like to go back to your company and politely request that they refund you the difference.

My concern is that this fraud is widespread, this is not an isolated incident, MAF themselves said in an email to me:

"We have complaints all the time about these companies charging more and blaming MAF for the charge. Your charge, was definetly $112.00 as you will see on the fax."

It is happening all the time. And not just to the Brits, hence the reason for posting here.

I've spoken to Citizens Advice who have contacted the Consumer's Institute and yesterday I emailed the minister for immigration who has passed on this information to the minister for customs Rick Barker.

You can contact MAF through their website or you can just phone them up.

Has anyone else had a similar experience that they would like to share?

For those of you whose containers haven't arrived yet you may like to pay MAF yourself. Their only condition is that you must be present when their inspection is carried out. We certainly were but we never advised that we could have paid them direct.

further info. can be found on the uk2nz forum or you can send me a private message.

[leslie]

thanks for the tip. will watch for that one. nice to be on top for a change...

all else groovy?

what is other forum???

[toots]

uk2nz.co.uk, tends to be mostly Brits.

Everything else is pretty groovy thanks. Sun is shining and I'm looking forward to a great weekend on the beach/beside the pool.

[Timbo]

Thanks for the tip Toots, and welcome to ENZ. please dont mention the lovely weather too much, you know we will only get jealous. :wah

[lindajax]

Hi Toots,
Thanks for the tip we go in 6 weeks and are using whites who contract out in NZ so I suppose this maybe a problem we'll encounter.
I hope not but if so I'll be ready to say ' isn't the maf fee $112, I think I'll pay them when they arrive ' and see what happens

love Lindaxxxx

[toots]

The MAF fee is made of two components : the clearance fee and the zone fee. Both elements could vary quite a bit, some people may have to pay for fumigation or disposal too. I think GST may be added as well.

Obviously people's fees are going to vary quite a bit and this may be why the companies are asking for so much up front. However, IMO they should be refunding any difference.

If your container is being unloaded at your home and you are going to be present I can see no reason why you couldn't say "Thanks, but it's OK, I'll pay MAF myself".

For those who are back home and getting in shipping quotes I'd raise this issue with your home companies too and make them aware of the situation. I'm going to go back to the company I used and let them know about our experience.

Why pay $200-300 dollars you don't have to? You could spend that money on your first BBQ!! ;)

[Caven]

Brilliant post Toots, thanks for taking the time. Glad to see you took it like the companies wanted you to, and didn't get any senior politicians involved or suchlike!! :laugh

Well done you mate :nice1

[toots]

:laugh :nice1

[toots]

Anyone else have an experience with paying MAF fees to the moving companies which they would like to share?

[Dave & Sandra]

We weren't charged any more for the MAF inspection. They obviously inspected it as boxes had been re-sealed with their inspection tape. Crown cleared it through customs and MAF and delivered it from Wellington to Feilding and we haven't had another bill, must have been included in original charge.

Sandra

[toots]

Thanks Sandra, it's good to hear from people who aren't being overcharged because it exposes the excessive charges that some of the other companies are imposing.

On the other forum I post on I'm hearing from lots of people, there seem to be only 2 companies that are working this scam (I've passed the names onto the commerce commission) and Crown isn't one of them I'm glad to say.

Anyone else know of companies that don't overcharge?

[toots]

Bump

Just wanted to bring this issue up again as I see it's been getting a lot of attention on other forums

[jonSE]

For all those in the process of moving the thread on "the other forum" is well worth reading.

Having recieved an invoice from The Moving Company for $900nZ for maf fees to be paid in advance I will be contacting Bishops move in the UK to enlighten them of this sharp practice. (NB Bishops in the UK were really good)

I wouldn't have much objection to paying MAF $900 to inspect our stuff . Thats why I moved to NZ. Conclude from this what you will.

The Moving company take note.

Jon
Waiheke

[Paul and Linda]

Border Charges to Increase
Increased charges for biosecurity services at the border will be in place by 2 June 2003.

Justin Downs, National Manager with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Quarantine Service (MAFQS) said current charges no longer accurately reflect the actual costs involved in maintaining New Zealand's biosecurity border defences.

"Existing cost recovery legislation has not been reviewed since 1993. Over the last decade there has been increased pressures on our borders through trade and tourism and our biosecurity systems must remain responsive to this pressure." he said.

MAFQS undertakes key biosecurity services such as the inspection and clearance of passengers, cargo and mail, and the approval and supervision of transitional and containment facilities. In relation to cargo, all biosecurity activities are funded by those who require the services such as importers and shipping companies.

Costs will continue to be charged at either a fixed or an hourly rate. Veterinary inspection rate of $96.10 per hour will remain the same, but the rate for general border inspection will increase from $57.40 per hour to $72.30 an hour, the new categories of Biosecurity Scientist and Biosecurity Adviser will be charged out at an hourly rate of $104.40 and $130.00 respectively.

Under the new regulations the basic cost for a permit issued by the Biosecurity Authority under the Biosecurity Act (1993) for the import of risk goods will be $130.

Mr Downs said the changes would also streamline current cost recovery legislation. The Biosecurity (Costs ) Regulations 1993, the Forest Disease Control Regulations 1967 and the Forest Produce Import and Export Regulations will be replaced with the Forests (Notice of Export of Indigenous Timber) Regulations 2003 and the Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2003.

[Paul and Linda]

and more specifically



Sea container inspections (regulation 7) This is an inspection undertaken to verify compliance against import requirements where documentation is to be verified or is not in order. Common examples are lack of cleaning or packing certification, or no descriptions. Specific amount ($5.65) payable by the importer. Specific amount ($40.40) payable by the importer.

The increase reflects the policy of charging for containers that are non-compliant with import regulations, rather than spreading the charge over all sea container inspections.
Personal effects (documentation only) (regulation 8 (a) and 28) This is where a consignment of personal effects is cleared after inspection of documentation only. Specific amount ($14.35) payable by the importer. Specific amount ($21.10) payable by the importer.

This amount is identical to the proposed documentation charge.
Personal effects of 0.5 m³ or less and "item only" inspection (regulations 8 (b), (c) and 28). This is an inspection of small consignments of personal effects imported by an individual for their own use. Common examples are unaccompanied suitcases, tea chests and cartons.
An item only inspection is where only one item in a consignment is to be inspected.
Specific amount ($28.70) payable by the importer for personal effects less than 0.5 m³ or the item only inspection. Specific amount ($60.85) payable by the importer.
Personal effects greater than 0.5 m³ but less than a full container load (regulations 8 (d) and 28). This is an inspection of large consignments of personal effects imported by an individual for their own use, or as part of their household goods. Specific amount ($57.40) payable by the importer.

Specific amount of $60.85 for first 0.5 cubic metre inspected plus $18.10 for each subsequent cubic metre or part thereof inspected payable by the importer.
Activity/item and current applicable regulation number Description Current rule and charge (where applicable): Proposed rule and charge: Comment
Personal effects comprising an entire shipping container (regulation 8 (e) and 28). This is an inspection of large consignments of personal effects imported by an individual for their own use, or part of their household goods comprising a full shipping container. Specific amount ($172) payable by the importer.

Specific amount for first 0.5 cubic metre inspected of $60.85 plus $18.10 for each subsequent cubic metre or part thereof inspected payable by the importer.

[chuchi]

How do you get in touch with MAF?

We were charged $395 for the MAF inspection and I would like to get a copy of our invoice.

Is there a freephone or an email?

[toots]

So guys, is over-charging still going on ( I hope not) if so what are people doing about it?

We're headed for Canada, we've sold a lot of our larger items (mostly Ikea - there isn't one here yet so there's quite a demand for it in NZ :) ) but it will be interesting to see how the process works in reverse and what inspection charges are imposed on our remaining possessions by another country.