Sending your garment

As a Major Partner of WOW, Mainfreight supports domestic and international designers by offering free freighting of garments to and from World of WearableArt HQ in Nelson, New Zealand.

Mainfreight sponsored freighting is available for designers in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and United States.

While the freighting cost is sponsored, there is a subsidised handling/customs fee to be paid by international designers. Drop-off dates are fixed, to allow time for freighting schedules. Garments must be delivered to drop-off points within the specified timeframes to qualify for sponsored freighting.

To take advantage of Mainfreight sponsored freighting you need to:

• Ensure the box(es) that you pack your garment into fits within 1.0 cubic metres (m3). If your box(es) are over 1.0m3 additional fees may be incurred.
• Book your garment with Mainfreight by emailing the appropriate participating depot.
• Drop off your packed garment at the appropriate depot during the specified drop-off dates (see below).

This free freighting option is from participating Mainfreight depots only and is not door-to-door.

Mainfreight Main Centres:
For free freighting to Nelson.
Wed 15 May - Wed 29 May 2024

Mainfreight Local Depots:  
For 20% off freighting to the nearest main centre depot.
Thurs 16  May – Thur 23 May 2024

You are also welcome to hand deliver your entry to World of WearableArt HQ in Nelson, however this is by appointment only. Please contact Logistics Coordinator Daniela Tiare to arrange a suitable date and time in advance.

All entries must be at World of WearableArt HQ in Nelson by Wednesday 12 June 2024, 5pm (NZT) at the latest.

Hand delivered entries must also be picked up from Nelson when it is time for the garment to be returned to the designer.

Insurance
‍Garment insurance is the designer's responsibility from the time of dispatch through to its ultimate return.
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Electronics and Batteries
Batteries and power banks are classed as dangerous goods and generally are not accepted for freighting. You will need to discuss with your freighting provider before packing batteries with your garment.

If your garment has electrical components, please make sure that you provide detailed instructions. Our guidelines on electrical components can be found here.‍

If your garment requires a specialised form of power supply, please email our Competition Coordinator, Angela Fisk to discuss further.

We will not be able to return any batteries or power banks sent with garments.
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Customs Clearances
New Zealand’s biosecurity and custom clearance requirements are important to understand when sending your garment. All customs and clearance costs must be covered by the designer.

• On your customs declaration form, state a nominal value for your garment (e.g. Less than AUD $100 or US $150). Please note that this is not a reflection of the true value of your garment, it is merely for customs purposes – you may insure your garment to any value.
• Garments not sent with a nominal value will incur additional customs charges, payable by you (the designer) before your entry is released into New Zealand. This will delay arrival in Nelson.
• Customs charges incurred on arrival in New Zealand will be in addition to those paid at origin.
• If you are asked by your freight provider to provide the Terms of Shipment (sometimes called Incoterms), use ‘Deliver Duty Paid’ (DDP).
• Please state on your documentation AND mark the box containing your entry: “Temporary Exhibit Only. Not for retail sale.”

We have created these templates to assist with documentation: SLI for Mainfreight Sponsored Freighting, Commercial Invoice

Bio-clearances
New Zealand has strict requirements around biosecurity and biological materials entering the country. These have been put in place to help protect New Zealand’s native plants and animals from introduced pests and diseases. If you have used biological materials, you will need to check carefully that your garment will be able to clear biosecurity requirements.

• Ensure that the contents including any biological materials are fully declared on your customs declaration.
• Before entering a garment that uses animal or plant products, establish whether the products are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php.
• If necessary, ensure that your entry is accompanied by the necessary export documentation from the CITES authority in the country of origin.

For more information on New Zealand Biosecurity:
Visit the Ministry for Primary Industries’ website for more information about New Zealand Biosecurity restrictions around importing your entry into New Zealand https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/.

If you have a specific query, you can also email info@mpi.govt.nz or phone 0064 9 909 3030.

We will return your garment back to the address in your WOW Designer Profile. Keep your address details up to date and correct.  

Garments will be returned to the designer by the same method which the garments were sent to us. For example, garments will be returned via Mainfreight sponsorship only if received via Mainfreight sponsorship. Garments that are hand delivered must be collected from Nelson.

Please note that your garment may not return in the same box.

Garments are returned at two points each year:

• Entries that are not selected at First Judging are returned September/October.
• Finalist entries are returned January/February.

Returning garments that are not selected at First Judging

• Entries that were received via Mainfreight sponsored freighting will be sent back to the Auckland Mainfreight depot in September. They will then be shipped in the next available container to the relevant depot.
• If you have sent your garment at your own expense, we will get in touch with you directly to make the necessary arrangements for returning it to you.
• New Zealand entries that are not selected will be returned to designers in September/October each year.

Returning Finalist Garments

• International garments that were sent via Mainfreight sponsored freighting (and are not being acquired or held on temporary loan) will be transported to the Mainfreight depot in Auckland by end of February. They will then be dispatched in the next available container shipment to the relevant depot.
• If you have sent your garment at your own expense, we will contact you by the end of January to make arrangements to return it to you.
• New Zealand garments are returned to designers in January/February each year (except for any garments acquired or being held on temporary loan).