Importing rocks / minerals & fossils into NZ

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ScuL

487 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#131008 5-Oct-2013 04:39

I'm wondering if anybody has an answer to this as I haven't been able to find anything about this subject on the sites of NZ customs or MAF.

I'm aware of the extremely tight restrictions on certain products especially those containing organic matter, I also know that MAF occasionally "steam" items in order to clean them.

Does anybody have an idea what the policy would be for a rock / fossil collection? The majority of the minerals are so precious and fragile that steaming them would completely destroy them. There has to be a process for this as museums should have a way of getting these into the country?

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Zeon

3916 posts

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#908293 5-Oct-2013 07:33

Don't see any issues as its not organic.

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ScuL

487 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#908336 5-Oct-2013 10:04

Zeon: Don't see any issues as its not organic.

Just being wary as they are always careful with things that have come from or been used in the outdoors (such as tents, hiking boots etc.)
Can't find any definite answer anywhere though :)

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Geektastic

17942 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#908368 5-Oct-2013 10:51

ScuL: I'm wondering if anybody has an answer to this as I haven't been able to find anything about this subject on the sites of NZ customs or MAF.

I'm aware of the extremely tight restrictions on certain products especially those containing organic matter, I also know that MAF occasionally "steam" items in order to clean them.

Does anybody have an idea what the policy would be for a rock / fossil collection? The majority of the minerals are so precious and fragile that steaming them would completely destroy them. There has to be a process for this as museums should have a way of getting these into the country?

Seems unlikely to cause issues IMO.

The rules are not universally applied anyway. I flew back into Auckland from SE Asia recently and ticked the yes box to the have you been on a farm question.

Was not even asked what farm type or anything - just waved through.

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#908391 5-Oct-2013 11:59

Doesn't look like it would be a problem

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/non-organic/standards/bmg-std-sowtr.htm#def

4.0 ROCK OR GRAVEL

4.1 Rock or gravel that is inspected and found to be free of organic material, is permitted without restriction.

4.2 Rock or gravel containing organic material must be treated as soil (see section 2.0 above).

but i would give them a call first

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/enter/declare

Enquiries: For general enquiries phone 0800 00 83 33 when calling within New Zealand or +64 4 894 0100 if calling from overseas - or email your enquiries to MPI Clearance. Our qualified inspectors will respond to your enquiries as soon as possible.

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