Things you didn't know you would need to buy

[Herbster]

Originally Posted by Badger Brock

Hi Herbie
I had been thinking of getting a quote for sending some essential stuff over separately from the main household stuff. Like the dog crate, leads, bowls, pillows, ELECTRIC BLANKET, winter woollies. I wont need the rest until I buy somewhere, which might take a couple of months, so it can take longer to get there for all I care, rather than me paying storage charges...I get your point about chocolate, their's isnt a patch on ours is it? I didnt think you could take it though...Following on from Moa's query, I suppose it depends if you want to spend time when you first arrive, hunting for kettles and toasters etc. I would say take (and an adaptor) so you can have a cuppa when you arrive...Veronica

Hya:
Exactly! When we came out for a reccie, the first place we stayed in had a microwave & small fridge, but NO coat-hangers or teaspoons! Other places had no kettles/coffee maker or china cups, & beds like iron (ok we're on a budget, but these were usually rated 3*)... My advice would be to think carefully & plan as far ahead as possible... Once you've decided to ship everything out, are you going as soon as, or are you going to take 4/6 weeks seeing the rellies & The Sights you've been meaning to see all your Life?? There's quite a lot to be said for staying with friends & family for as long as poss, if only to save essential $$ & they'll be happy to have you knowing you'll be going For Sure!
It has to HELP big time, if you have family in Oz that you can borrow all the essentials from - bedding, cutlery, pots & pans, etc., as it is, your store cupboard will be empty & you'll spend ages & $$ restocking that with condiments, canned goods, cereals, etc., etc..
Actually it's a misunderstanding that you can't bring in Chocies, biscuits, etc.. They HATE anything RAW, FRESH or SEEDY, so nothing high in eggs or honey, & dead kippers, popcorn, spices, side of beef are def NO-NO'S!! But I declared crisps... Goodbye Seabrooks... the only ones I truly like! (Smiths crinkles are similar, but no cigar!) Ricolas, ibuprofen, paracetamol, (as medications) Germolene, Twix's, Tic Tacs, Kit Kats, as a test really - declaring it all, including my down pillow... For ease, I packed everything I wanted to declare in one suitcase, that was easily opened & all my declared items were together, so I could show the officer with minimal fuss. He was happy & agreed that there is a lot of confusion as to whether something is actually FOOD, but he SAID: if in doubt declare it. ALSO, I think they rather like it if you keep things in their original packaging, so they can weigh it on their magic scales & see that it seems right! Unfortunately your pooch mightn't fare so well as trotters, hooves & rawhide chews are verbotten! However, you might be able to bring in their fav dried & canned food, if you go to the Auzzie Customs site.
When packing up your container - or rather when looking for removalists, check with them if they allow you to ship canned goods, etc... some of them are NOT at all keen - more hassle this end when going thru' quarantine, & question yourself how it will travel 10 weeks+ on the High Seas??
Anyway gotta dash, we've found the water heater at last!!!
Cheers, The Herbmiester!