Fumigation!

richsadams · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 8:18 am Post subject: Fumigation!

Hi All

My wife and I were fretting over taking some things to NZ as they were on the "questionable" Confused

list of items the NZ Customs/MAF would allow in the country (they are VERY ecologically conscious Nice One

). We've been told to list everything and not try to hide anything as NZ Customs and the MAF take their work seriously and will tear apart an entire shipment if they find something that wasn't declared. Eek

Here's their list of things they want to know about...

In particular I was concerned about my beloved golf clubs Wah

and my wife has three or four of those nice decorator trees she wants to take.

So we contacted the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry...the folks that deal with such things (along with NZ Customs). They said they'd be happy to look at whatever we brought, but that some things may need fumigation or "heat treatment" to kill any nasties that may be living in or on them. They then directed us to the company that does such things for them, QTC Limited.

We e-mailed QTC and they got right back to us. To fumigate my clubs and four of the "faux" trees would run around $100 USD IF they needed it. And they stressed IF saying that as long as there's no signs of insects, etc. and that everything was spotless, they'd probably just approve them and that would be that. What a relief! Much cheaper than replacements! And now the wife is happy...and when my wife is happy...everyone's happy! Mr. Green

If you need to contact QTC, here's their e-mail address:

urbpest01@xtra.co.nz

Here's the website for NZ Customs:

http://www.customs.govt.nz/

Here's the website for the NZMAF:

http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/

On other threads here and elsewhere most of the people that have already moved said that the authorities just want to see that everything has been fully cleaned (such as vacuum bags removed and filters replaced, etc.) and sanitized. Some did say they had issues with wicker or cane furniture though, so best to check first.

All of the folks at NZ Customs and MAF were very helpful and responded to e-mails right away. Clapping

I think they appreciate the trouble of moving and want to make things as easy as possible for everyone.

Hope that helps with some of your decisions! Clink

Robert · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:27 pm Post subject:

We had a strimmer which got stuffed onto the container at the last minute by mistake. The MAF guy just scraped the grass residue off it and took the stuff away for disposal. All he was worried about was seeds.
Although we had to pay $240 for the inspection (which seems pretty inevitable) this was as far as it went.

karltsmith · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 9:17 pm Post subject:

Our shipment containing such things as walking boots, moutain bikes, ski boots, sand pits outdoor furniture etc has been pre-cleared by MAF and Cutoms ahead of arrival tomorrow. A MAF guy phoned me and asked what state everything was in from a cleanliness point of veiw and when i told him he could eat his dinner off it as I had jet washed, dininfected (with JEYES) and rinsed each item and in the case of the bikes cling film wrapped the tyres after cleaning he great just what i wanted to here we wont need to inpect it then...Gidday and welcome to NZ! Top bloke I take my hat off to you... Razz

veronica · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:52 pm Post subject:

I don't think that they are to bothered about things from the UK more from the tropical type countries, we were told that the heat in the containers in the month or two they are being shipped from the UK kills of lots of the bugs and provided it's all clean they are OK with it.