aquirke

Hi all

We are just about to make the move to Melbourne next Wednesday 29th May. We have PR visas but are not 100% sure if we will stay in Australia (family ties etc) So we decided to spend a few months looking as bit closer into life in Melbourne. I know from reading previous threads here that a few months is not a lot of time, but we will used the time to see if Melbourne is a place we would like to spend more time in.

So I have packed up the house as if we are shipping everything over and we will ship if we decide to stay. When we arrive we are spending 5 weeks up north to get some sunshine (long over due here in Ireland) My issue is when we fly we have 30kg luggage allowance and I need to pack summer clothes, Melbourne everyday winter clothes, some meet and greet and interview clothes.

I was going to ship a single 20kg box with interview suits for the both of us plus some winter shoes via the postal system (registered it costs about 80euro). Does anyone have experience of doing this, could customs be an issue. Research is showing mixed experiences.

Thanks in advance

Anne

Pollyana

I've done it several times, just marked the box as "clothes" not had any issues.

aquirke

Thanks pollyanna. I'll continue packing. ...Nearly there

carolinephillips

Just make sure the shoes are very clean. Customs can be funny about dirt.

LeeWillo

Don't send anything new - or if you do remove the tags. Customs don't like new stuff being sent.

asher

Let me know how it went as I need to do this too

Pomster

we brought over the stuff we needed in our cases- then ordered a few large parcels from Tesco who charge £10 for whatever the size of the parcel.

We initially did this because when we arrived in October, it was chilly and all the shops had moved onto Tshirts and shorts....Tesco had plenty of warmer clothes on offer and we are now converts. (compared to the quality on offer here in Aus, Tesco is top notch!!!!)

Wombatz

Just did same thing about a month ago, we even included some kitchen utensils, calendars and other stuff on top of some clothes and got it delivered within 10 days without any hassles, they hadn't even opened the parcel.

asher

just sent my parcel with transglobal so far so good they say 3-4 days air mail

DML

Who's best to use from the UK for this? We have sent our stuff but have realised there's more to go yet - duh!

ponyrama

just fedex it or something. i have done it several times, just state it is personal effects. that way you wont get any customs or quarantine issues. hopefully.

asher

you can send stuff up to $1000 tax free

I used trans global ups cost me about 70 pounds with extra insurance for a fairly large box it should arrive tomorrow

asher

Box arrived today safe and sound, had been to America but remained unopened No further charges to pay hurray it was a big box.

old.sparkles

LOL - Happy Christmas (or is it birthday - nope Happy Welcome Home present )

DML

asher - not wishing to be nosey but approx what weight and dimensions were your box? thanks