Richyok

Hi - has anyone done this recently (last couple of years) and could give me any advice on pitfalls and perhaps who to use or not use. Thanks

MrsFychan

have a read of this:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/new-z...-uk-nz-831745/

SSky

Do it, I wish we had!

Esme61

Our VW T5 is on route at present, should arrive 1/12, will let the forum know how we get on with customs etc shortly

MrsFychan

that would be great and would you also give what had to be done to make it NZ compliant to allow it to be registered and road worthy.

wakwak

We are bringing our old 1971 VW

MrsFychan

I know someone who bought over their camper and said it was a nightmare and cost lots more than expected and took months longer also to get it compliant.

Parnell

given the state of driving


Bull Bars front rear sides


Instead of self lane warning it should be approaching Asian

Parnell

I know a lot of people who don't listen and muck up with an F, compliance.


Nothing against your friend or families experience but I would love to hear directly from someone who is methodical and followed instructions and comes out with a balanced experience.


All I am saying is that for the few experiences I have read I have run into loads on the road who have done so with no issues. So big void in my opinion.

wakwak

We've been speaking to the AA for guidance in both vehicles. Our truck has had to have some certificates of compliance from the manufacturer.

As for the VW. They've guided us as much as possible and we've taken advice from the VW owners club. We think he will be ok, there's some rust which worries us but body is sound.
It's a worry.

How much more methodical can we be? Are we missing stuff? Your experiences on this would be well received

Esme61

Update - was coming into Wellington but closed due to Earthquake we are still waiting to hear where it will dock - Napier has been mentioned

Esme61

Finally off loaded in Napier and has taken over a week by rail to get to New Plymouth. arrived in NP on Tuesday and today it was handed over to NZVanlines who have been great with their correspondence due to the earthquake in Wellington they have emailed and phoned to keep us updated.
So its out of the port, all our boxes from inside were delivered this morning and it looks like only the top of the awning bag had been opened. We collected the camper on D plates from the garage and it went for initial assessment for its low volume certificate as its a modified van, that is now been processed but will not be completed before xmas hols as the plates are issued in Wellington and the close today! It is now at the AA having its compliance completed an will be back tomorrow afternoon.
With the 3 week delay we have been able to speak with the garages and they have tried their best to complete the compliance but we are just a few days too late.
We were told many time that it wouldn't clear MAF without fumigation due to awnings and camping gear so we didn't incur any cleaning fees. The only problem looks to be the rear seatbelts which are attached to the rock n roll bed which may have to be removed - it will become registed for 2 seats not 4 but thats not a problem for us.

Parnell

Any advice on getting one for purposes of mobile office


Heading around regional NZ in 2017 and majority of places there will not be motels or campgrounds. And will be lugging full office gear around (with sat phone)


Ideally 4 berth (adult) berth


Will be towing SUV


Trying to narrow range down as in UK Feb to purchase and place on boat.

wakwak

Sounds like it went ok aside from delays

What were the fumigation costs? Did you pay fees for the contents and were these just camper related? Wondering what we can squeeze in the back!

Ours has been lowered so we think that could cause an issue....!

Esme61

We now wish we had put more inside the vehicle, main stuff was the camper contents, awning and tools, we had been told that as soon as they see camping on the inventory then you get fumigated, we packed ourselves and wrote everything on the inventory list and labelled the boxes. We had no fumigation costs just MAF inspections, port duties which cost us $1100, I also had to sign to say I would pay $1600 if I sell the vehicle within 2yrs, we had owned it over 4yrs which greatly reduces import costs. Any modification to the vehicle needs a low volume plate issued, only one garage in New Plymouth can do this (more in main cities) unknown how much it will cost but the AA charged us $530 for compliance- we had mis matched tyres on rear so have had to sort that out, in UK it would have passed as both have near maximum tread. Hopefully sorted and on the road first week January. Add other costs to the thread when known and our overall experience as I read many threads before we decided to import.