What should I stock up on in the UK before coming to UAE?
#16
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I have my shipping lorry coming soon and I have some spare space to take a few extras to Abi Dhabi.
Is there anything that is much cheaper in the UK than UAE that I should take? I’m thinking things like shampoos, cleaning products, socks?
I've not lived in the UAE before so any advice helps. Thanks
Is there anything that is much cheaper in the UK than UAE that I should take? I’m thinking things like shampoos, cleaning products, socks?
I've not lived in the UAE before so any advice helps. Thanks
According to the various mothers' groups that proliferate here the items to bring are Oxo cubes, wet wipes and Tampax. The latter two are available here but they are a weird obsession.
I have also seen people say they bring loo rolls, cleaning products and more, Somewhat nuts.
If you have children you will find that shoes and clothing is usually cheaper in the UK. Other items are birthday/Christmas cards, many toys.
These days pretty much everything is here, if you know where to look.
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I had colleagues in Saudi who habitually stole toilet rolls from the workplace rather than pay for them ! Ditto with teabags. Leading a life where the focus is on saving distorts your world-view !
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It's illegal to ship most of those items in a private container... The limits they quote at airports only apply to stuff you are bringing with you in a plane. When customs search your container, which they probably will, any pork or booze will be removed. And I dread to think what the cheese would be like after a month in a metal container sitting in the sun...
Good-quality mens clothing and shoes are mostly cheaper in the UK (especially if you can buy during a sale). Though tailoring is very cheap in the UAE, it is a a big struggle to get good fabrics. If you intend to get suits made for you, maybe bring the fabric and get it tailored here.
Good-quality mens clothing and shoes are mostly cheaper in the UK (especially if you can buy during a sale). Though tailoring is very cheap in the UAE, it is a a big struggle to get good fabrics. If you intend to get suits made for you, maybe bring the fabric and get it tailored here.
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bring chocolates....the chocolates out here are rank!
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I could never get my head around that either. A guy I used to work with regularly stole the toilet roll and the soap!
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If you haven't already done so, open a private pension in the UK before you leave. You can pay in £2,880 this tax year and each of the next 5 tax years and get a free 20% tax rebate (£720) automatically each year from HMRC. It would be rude not to accept free money. The only downside is that your cash is tied up until age 55 when you can retire.
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How can you get a tax rebate if you are not paying UK income tax ?
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Anyone who is paying into a personal pension when they leave can continue paying into it for five years after they have left and as contributions are made net of basic rate tax they get the tax relief that way. The limit is very low however at GBP 3,600 a year which you pay net of 20% tax.
Frankly it's not a large amount to invest, especially once you consider the charges and the restrictions on taking the benefits. I think this really only works if a person has other UK pension provision or can continue paying into an existing personal arrangement. If they have an existing personal/stakeholder pension there is no need to open a SIPP and pay additional charges.
It's always best to take advice from a professional in these matters.
Edit - not exactly something to pack into a container either...
Frankly it's not a large amount to invest, especially once you consider the charges and the restrictions on taking the benefits. I think this really only works if a person has other UK pension provision or can continue paying into an existing personal arrangement. If they have an existing personal/stakeholder pension there is no need to open a SIPP and pay additional charges.
It's always best to take advice from a professional in these matters.
Edit - not exactly something to pack into a container either...
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Try eating the rubbish the US call chocolate.
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The only thing that tastes different out here is the milk. But now Waitrose have the normal stuff, well, it at least looks and tastes normal.
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You buy milk that's been flown in?
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