Now, I've read an awful lot about MAF inspections on here (haven't we all!) but I seem to be getting a conflicting story from my shipper's relocation consultant. This is her email:
Really? Can people comment on their experiences as this doesn't tally with what I read on here...IF MAF wants to physically inspect anything in your shipment, it has been my experience that it is performed at a bonded warehouse at the port of entry. I can not say if they do inspections at residence, but it doesn't make much sense because they want to quarantine and keep insects out of the country. If they allowed you to take questionable boxes home then what is to say that you wouldn't use the items and spread any possible contaminants.
Fumigation is more common and doesn't always require physical inspection first. If there are bikes, camping equipment, garden tools, etc. Often MAF will order the whole shipment fumigated rather than go through and pick out specific boxes. I have not had an extensive physical inspection on a shipment to NZ in over a year, most shipments were fumigated.