We normally only request payment at the time the kayak construction is started. We will let you know at the time it is needed. However the kayak must be paid for in full before it leaves our care. Payment can be made by Direct Lodgement to Sisson Kayaks bank account, Mastercard, Visa, or by cheque before the kayak shipment date.   Cheques will be normally deposited no more than 8 working days prior to dispatch.

Our offshore quotes do not include customs clearance, local handling and cartage charges, local taxes or any other charges that may be levied in your country. 

Creditcard fraud is on the rise internationally. Crooks are using legitimate cardholders identities illegally and brazenly. As from 1st July 2001 we will no longer process mail-order merchant (cardholder not present) for offshore (export) payments. We will continue to process mail-order merchant payments for New Zealand (domestic) payments. Any local fraudsters can expect the full impact of the rule of New Zealand Law!

Holders of U.S. Dollars can now request a quote (and pay) in U.S. Dollars. These U.S. Dollar quotes will be issued on the basis that only Sisson Kayaks sets the applicable exchange rate.  You can either accept our U.S. Dollar amount or arrange to settle the equivalent N.Z. Dollar amount shown. U.S. Dollar ‘short’ payments (creative customer bank antics) will permanently delay shipment of the completed kayak.

Kayaks sometimes suffer freight damage. All freight damage claims must be lodged against the final carrier. It is preferable to note the damage on the waybill at the time you sign it. Read the fine print beside your signature.

Transport insurance within New Zealand all kayaks are sent ‘Limited Carriers Risk’ which under the Carriage of Goods Act guarantees NZ$1500 maximum cover provided the waybill requests this cover. All kayak shipment within New Zealand are sent ‘Limited Carriers Risk’ unless otherwise stated. If you want a full insurance cover on your kayak shipment, please ask for it. An extra charge will apply. Either way, be aware, the insurance will pay (for total loss) on the basis of cost – not retail price. All damage claims within New Zealand must be lodged against the carrier.

Export Insurance is a component of C.I.F. freighting – which is the usual export shipping service we quote. Any structural (the odd scratch can be seen as normal during a 5000+ mile trip) damage should be reported to Sisson Kayaks by faxing a copy of the signed waybill – noting the damage to the carrier. Sisson Kayaks owns a global, annually renewed, under-righting shipping insurance policy that covers all Sisson Kayaks export shipments. However most times this policy is unused for small L.C.L. (Less than Containerload) shipment damage because of the high excess threshold that applies. It is in the interest of our customers that we do not activate this policy for your damage rectification – the cash settlement which is based on the cost to produce the kayak only (not the freight and other charges) can drag out as long as 12 months! In practice Sisson Kayaks will ask for a local quote to repair the damage. We then prepay the repair bill to the repairer. All we need to proceed is some e-mailed images to assess the damage. In the event of total destruction Sisson Kayaks will replace the damaged hull. The disposal of the damaged hull will be at the sole discretion of Sisson Kayaks. No cash refund is implied or offered.

Export C.I.F. Insurance claims should be approached with the same goodwill that existed at the time the kayak was ordered. No financial or ‘product improvement’ betterment will be contemplated. 

Export Claim Procedure

1. The damage must be recorded in writing onto the final delivering carrier’s waybill prior to signing for the kayak. Any damage found within the next few hours must be reported in writing to the final delivering carrier immediately it is found. No claim will be settled without this proof of transport damage.
2. The damage must be photographed and the images showing that damage must be sent to Sisson Kayaks Ltd by e-mail or by post. (Contact details at top of this page). Sisson Kayaks Ltd, being the issuer of the insurance cover is the acceptor of any claim.
3. Three independent repair quotes must be supplied to Sisson Kayaks Ltd by fax (contact details at top of this page). Each quote must contain the repairers fax number and e-mail address.
4. Sisson Kayaks will select the best repairer (with input from kayak owner) 
5. Sisson Kayaks will pre-pay the repair bill from our chosen repairer. No repairs must be undertaken prior to Sisson Kayaks Ltd paying the quoted repair bill. No claim will be settled on repairs carried out and not previously approved by Sisson Kayaks Ltd.
6. The kayak owner can then proceed to arrange the repairs. 
7. In the extremely rare event that the shipped kayak is deemed by Sisson Kayaks Ltd to be a ‘write-off’, Sisson Kayaks will arrange for a new replacement hull to shipped to the kayak owner. Evidence of the damaged hull being ‘landfilled’ must be provided to Sisson Kayaks prior to the shipment of the new hull. Such replacement does not include insurance cover. If the kayak owner requires the replacement hull to have insurance cover, he may be requested by Sisson Kayaks Ltd to pre-pay the premium to cover the second shipment.
8. Any claim that contains fraud or ‘betterment’ will be declined and filed with our underwriter..

Shipping insurance is always based on cost values so any Cash Settlement that may be negotiated will cover the manufactured cost of the damaged items only. Documentation, freight, insurance and packaging costs are exclude items and will not be covered by any cash settlement. 

Our aim is to get you onto the water in a sound kayak in the most practical way. That takes goodwill at both ends. Any clever ‘creative’ claim that does not recognise our long experience (we will know) in the field of kayak repair will be ignored. No full cash refund is implied or offered by Sisson Kayaks Ltd.

Packaging policy
Our kayak packaging is based on the ‘minimalist’ principle. The packaged kayak is still light enough for one person to carry. Export kayaks have course sand paper taped to the hull at the bow and stern to withstand dragging on concrete damage. A strong rope comes from either end so that freighters can tie the kayak from the roof above other cargo. Cardboard is taped to the mid hull (contact to ground) point and high point of the deck. The whole lot is vacuumed into two thick plastic sleeves and then wrapped in cling wrap. For LCL freighting this mix has proved to be the best. In fact our LCL shipper will not accept our kayaks packaged any other way.

Freight is chargeable within New Zealand. 

North Island $190
South Island $110 (except Christchurch)
Christchurch $65

International deliveries incur documentation, insurance, packing and shipping cost. Please email us for further details.

 Within New Zealand goods are freighted "Limited Carriers Risk" ($NZ 1500 maximum claim). If additional cover is required please email for a quotation.