[dkilgo00]

I am moving to Auckland in October and i am trying to determine if it is cost effective to ship any items from the US or if I should just buy all new items when I arrive. I have seen many posts here on this topic, but most of them seem to be people moving a full house of goods. If I were to ship anything, I would ship the following:

- Queen size bed (including box spring but no frame)
- Kitchen supplies - dishes, pots, pans etc
- Computer- Does anyone know if using a converter for a Power Mac G5 is potentially harmful to the computer?
-IKEA furniture still in the box
-Other items such as clothing, books, pictures

I don't think I will have enough to need a 20ft container. I just wanted to get other peoples thoughts on this based on the small quantity of items I may need to ship.

[Nathan]

Bring it all and then some!

You might have to pay tariff and GST on the things that are 'new in the box'. Rumor has it that Customs is tightening up lately. Taking it out and repacking if you can seems to avoid the cost.

Apple sells the adapters, so it's difficult to imagine that a converter would be a problem. Surge protection is important here.

Any cheap plastic stuff is very expensive here, e.g., the plastic storage boxes are often >$20. A big cooler... $20-25 in US will cost >$100 here!! Warm socks!!, similar to Smartwool can run >$30/pr. I don't know where you're coming from, but if you're not from NW you should think carefully about how you're going to keep stuff dry... even in your closet, etc... We used a bunch of silica gel packets in packing and have continued to use them for storage of clothes and books, etc. Cosmetics are very expensive.

Basically, you'll get 10 cents on the dollar for anything you get rid of there and you'll pay 2-3X to replace it here.

On the other hand, if you want to ditch the materialistic thing, it's easy because of the prices and there's so much to do that is so accessible.

Good luck,

Nathan

[JandM]

No advice, but welcome to the forum and hope all your planning goes well.:)

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Can't help, not from US, but welcome and good luck.

[Chiba]

It's unlikely you'll need a power converter for your Mac. All of our Apple kit is dual voltage (bought in 110v Japan) and is auto switching. Take a close look at the labeling, or worst case give Apple a call with your serial number in hand, or visit your nearest Apple Store.

[Watna]

I didn't ship much here. We rented at home and didn't own much of the furnture. We only shipped one box with winter coats etc in it. I'm note here in NZ permanently, we plan to back in two years or so.

Despite that, If I could go back in time I'd bring more, much more. I wish I'd bought more warm clothes before I left, I wish I'd brought my kitchen stuff and I wish I'd brought more personal posessions (all my books - I miss them, my CDS more photos and momentoes)

I'd get quotes and bring as much as possible without spending an astronomical amount. There's not as much of a selection here for goods and they're are more expensive in comparison to earnings.

[dilanium]

I doubt you'll need a converter for your mac. My G4 tower had a switch in the back to switch voltages. My husband's Wall-street G3 laptop automatically converts (and it's 10 years old). Both of our newer laptops automatically convert as well.

We're bringing books, electronics (DVDs and video games), clothes, a few of out more expensive kitchen supplies (a couple of knives and a nice saucepan). All of our pictures have been converted to digital and the originals will be staying with my mother here in the states.

However, we are going very light. We're only taking 12 boxes total (including our luggage for our clothes).