Xmas Decorations

karltsmith · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject:

Hi Rae,

I don't think you will have any problems as you appear to be taking the rules and regs very seriously and appear to be taking all the right precautions!

What MAF hate is shipments where the owners have done absolutely nothing to clean or disinfect certain items! It also comes down to personalities and dealing with any government organisation in any country is in my experience never consistent...it can be that you just drop on the right or wrong official!

A note re vacuum cleaners is that as long as they are clean and have had the bags and filters removed you should be OK. Just bring new filters and bags with you!

Bikes, ski boots, walking boots, playpits etc all need cleaning thoroughly or jetwashing + disinfecting with something likes Jeyes fluid. If you leave a trace of this on some of the items you container will give a lovelly clean smell when the doors are opened and Mr or Ms MAF will be happy!

Nice One

Raeven · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:04 am Post subject:

Hi, karl,

LOL, I do seem to be rather fixated on all this, don't I? I just hated the idea of transporting sentimental near-and-dear items alllllllll the way over to NZ, only to have them unceremoniously dumped into the trash because I had failed to do what was required. So I have researched this issue quite thoroughly, including a direct inquiry to MAF re items I was unsure about, and I now feel confident to answer most any question on the subject!

I promised to post the results of what I learned from MAF here for the benefit of all, so here's me following through. By the way, the MAF officer who replied to my inquiry is Nikolai Goriatchev, and his command of English, though excellent, indicates to me that MAF are quite pleased to employ new immigrants!

Nikolai says:

Clean, Dried Flower Arrangements:
This item may require quarantine treatment (heat treatment) to destroy
viability of seeds and to kill all potential disease agents. This treatment is done by private company, located near the airport. It may take 2-3 days and normal charge is $20. (Rae comment: Read money maker for NZ!!)

Goosedown Pillows: Unless any live insects found, all finished products containing feathers may be released unconditionally. (Rae comment: Insects??? And people KEEP them??? Gaaaahhh!!!)

Flokati Rug: I am not sure what you meant. As for common rugs and carpets, they are not considered to be risk goods, although still may be subject to inspection.

Hats Or Other Items With Decorative Feathers: If decorative feathers have not been processed (dyed in bright colours for example), they will require formaline fumigation ($20). There is no need to clean them.

Herb And Spice Collections: All spices and herbs need to be declared and have to be inspected by MAF officer. They are not prohibited. Some herbs (containing seeds f.e.) may require treatment. Normally, most of spices and herbs bought from supermarkets are fine. (Rae comment: YYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!)

Costly Liquors In Various States of Consumption (brandies, liqueurs, other hard-to-find alcohol items used in cooking and for other, err, purposes): This is not a quarantine concern. Customs limits alcohol (3L per person), but I suggest you to contact them directly in this regard. (Rae comment: Not wishing to create problems of any kind, I will do my utmost to consume as many of these as possible before our departure. Oh, the humanity!)

Christmas Decorations: Any decorations containing natural plant products may be a problem. Pine cones need to be treated and can be released after that.

Wicker Items, Such as Baskets or Chairs: You do not need to clean them. These plant products need to be declared and inspected.

Ok, karl, this is all I have to say about that -- you have my word!

Happy moving!!! Razz

Rae