Relocating Back from US and Bring Back The Household Items in Container

Chindi on 16/02/2023 - 00:38
Last edited 16/02/2023 - 09:34 by 1 other user

I am relocating back from US and want to know whether it will be good idea to bring my stuff back in container. I have been quoted 7K USD (~10K AUD) for following:

1 King foam mattress
1 Queen foam mattress
1 queen bed frame
1 Bose sound system with subwoofer
1 side table
1 65 inch Sony 4K TV (basic one, not fancy)
6 Luggage full of stuff like clothes, toys and kitchen items
1 Adult push bike (Specialized brand with hydraulic disc brakes)
1 Computer table
1 Office Chair
1 3 seater leather couch
1 Dell 4k Computer monitor
2 LG Ultrafine 5k monitors

It will take 2 months for container to reach Melbourne

If I buy all these items back in Australia (mix of used and new), does it makes sense to get a container and get from there?

What do you think?

Many thanks :-)

Poll Options

  • 2
    Bring It from US
  • 57
    Don't bring and buy in AU
Travel

Comments

  • bargaino on 16/02/2023 - 00:51
    +6

    Garage sale time. Not worth $7k to ship.

    Check out the airline baggage limits on US airlines.
    You might get 3x32kg + 2x carry-on, per person. How is your freq. flyer status?

    • Chindi on 16/02/2023 - 01:14

      I am okay to spend more on airline luggage but I have 2 kids with me so getting all luggage back and pushing trolley won't be possible.
      You reckon, I will get help at Airport while coming back (someone to push trolleys for me and help them load in taxi)?
      Thanks for the inputs :-)

      • bargaino on 16/02/2023 - 01:43

        I came back with 80kg of luggage. When I stood sad at bottom of escalators, people helped me :-)
        How old are your kids? Get them in training.

        • Gaz1 on 16/02/2023 - 13:22

          Or find a lift - there should be a lift option in most airports, etc.

  • dcep on 16/02/2023 - 00:58
    +3

    If you think you can sell them off for some money fairly easily, i would do it.

    1 King foam mattress
    1 Queen foam mattress
    1 queen bed frame
    1 side table
    1 Computer table
    1 Office Chair
    1 3 seater leather couch

    Furniture can be very cheap or expensive in Australia, depending on what you're looking to get. I would go for cheap furniture but that's just me being cheap.
    As for mattress, you can get very decent King/Queen for $300 or less , eg. zzzAtelier factory outlet store, or others deals posted here.

    1 65 inch Sony 4K TV (basic one, not fancy)
    1 Bose sound system with subwoofer
    1 Dell 4k Computer monitor
    2 LG Ultrafine 5k monitors

    I suppose you could easily sell these electronics stuffs for decent money and buy them here again for a fair price, except for that LG Ultrafine 5k would be pretty expensive with coping substantial loss just to sell & re-buy them new over here.

    6 Luggage full of stuff like clothes, toys and kitchen items
    1 Adult push bike (Specialized brand with hydraulic disc brakes)

    Correct me if i'm wrong but I think US airlines baggage doesn't go by weight ; rather by piece ?
    You reckon these will fit as checked-in baggage ?

    • Chindi on 16/02/2023 - 01:15
      +1

      I will use sendmybags.com (used in past too) to ship additional luggage. They charge ~200USD per bag.

  • lumiere on 16/02/2023 - 01:22
    +5

    Note also that you may need transformers to operate any electrical items (120V versus 240V here).

    • Chindi on 16/02/2023 - 01:24
      +1

      Monitors and Sound system are compatible. Need to check the TV

    • brotherfranciz on 16/02/2023 - 01:55
      +4

      Note also that you may need transformers to operate any electrical items

      Time to call on Optimus Prime!

      • Forfiet on 16/02/2023 - 06:40
        +1

        Ozbargainers, roll out!?!

  • garetz on 16/02/2023 - 05:09
    +2

    Anything electrical definitely not worth it, as you change voltages between countries. Sell the bose and the screens and tv asap.

    As for the furniture, you will easily be able to replace everything you have there for 10k aud locally.
    Ikea will be much cheaper for most of that stuff.

    The only thing that might be worth shipping is the push bike, if you can take it apart and make it alot smaller, then reassemble it in australia again.
    If its a 5-10k bike and it costs 1k shipping, that makes a lot of sense. If its any cheaper than that, then sell it.

    Clothes and toys sort out what are the best quality items and most expensive to replace that fits in luggage for airport travel, give away the rest to charity.
    kitchen items also easily replaceable.

    • ESEMCE on 16/02/2023 - 09:02

      +1 Definitely do not bother bringing any electrical unless it's multi-voltage compatible (The monitors might be, but major electrical like the TV is typically not multi-voltage).

      Also is the US$7k quote inclusive of Importation Duty and GST?
      If not, factor that into the total cost you would pay.
      +10% Importation Duty and +10%GST on the value of goods (including Insurance Cost).

      After removing the electrical (and possibly the bike), I imagine you could buy the rest of the gear here for A$10k quite comfortably, and with Taxes, you could probably cover the value of a new bike as well.

      • RockyRaccoon on 16/02/2023 - 13:26

        Why would they pay import duty and GST on personal items?

        Liquor/wine etc over limit yes, even if its from your home cupboard and years old (Unless you get luck like we did)

        • ESEMCE on 16/02/2023 - 13:30

          https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/moving…

          Looks like exemption is available (but only for goods older than 12 months)

          Wood Furniture would introduce Bio security Australia Inspection issues/delays.

          • RockyRaccoon on 16/02/2023 - 13:41
            +1

            @ESEMCE:

            Wood Furniture would introduce Bio security Australia Inspection issues/delays.

            Based on personal experience this wont delay things, Quarrantine allow that fumigation can occur at shipping (at least from the US). Plus customs is a little lenient with items less than 12 months using commonsense to see if most is older and obviously used. Our collection of Wine (ironically mostly Australian) and various opened bottle of spirits slipped thru with no tax.

            • ESEMCE on 16/02/2023 - 13:47

              @RockyRaccoon: You've clearly got the advantage of firsthand experience in this scenario.
              I'm just coming from a Commercial Importation background.

              Possibly something else to factor in will be destination fees if these aren't specified in the quote.
              Allow ~A$2000 in wharf fees, Customs clearance and Container Pickup, Delivery and Dehire (actual fees vary quite dramatically between Australian Destination ports)

    • JimmyF on 16/02/2023 - 09:04
      +1

      Anything electrical definitely not worth it, as you change voltages between countries

      Most things are 110/220 volt friendly these days, but I agree, dump it and buy new locally. Different plugs are a pain.

      The only thing that might be worth shipping is the push bike, if you can take it apart and make it alot smaller,

      Most airlines will let you check a bike in, so OP might be better getting a bike travel case and paying any excess luggage fees rather than shipping it via a 3rd party.

  • payless69 on 16/02/2023 - 07:48
    -3

    Bring back a container full of American toilets.
    At least they flush…

    • mskeggs on 16/02/2023 - 07:57
      +1

      I can assure you they do much, much worse than the most “green” reduced flush model here. The outlet is very small and easily clogged.
      Truly a signal example of Americans assuming they had the best in the world without looking at anybody else’s!
      I believe in some parts of the USA they are adopting our type, rather than the side exit ‘whirlpool ’ popularized by the Simpsons, so hopefully they will have a better future flushing experience.

      • payless69 on 16/02/2023 - 08:21

        Of course they use 3" outlets with water temperatures specified at 60F and ceramics made to thous with ounces of 2 types.
        But flushes even on the moon!

    • sumyungguy on 16/02/2023 - 10:18
      +1

      You're onto something here, those items won't fill a 20' container. OP should consider the cost of a full container and add some stuff that's hard to get here and has a duty-exempt UPE vibe; like Herman Miller Aerons, Panasonic Massage chairs, Honda HF2625 Ride-On Mower, battery-powered garden equipment, lawn robots & tractors, maple syrup, Tesla accessories, etc, etc

      • payless69 on 16/02/2023 - 10:59
        +1

        Back in 1982 I moved from L.A. to Melbourne. All my furniture went to charity. The flight was cheaper the long way round.
        Brought along: A microwave oven, modern mod cons like cordless phones etc.
        And after arrival a big transformer,
        Lots of fun having my own microwave then.

    • bargaino on 16/02/2023 - 10:58

      At least they flush…

      They will not work so well here, as designed to flush clockwise.

  • JimmyF on 16/02/2023 - 09:02
    +1

    What do you think?

    Honestly nothing on that list appears exciting or hard to get in Australia. Plus it is all used.

    So sell it all in the USA, put that money plus the money spent on freight towards buying brand new stuff.

    Also anything electrical you want to bring you need to check it is 110/220v. TVs, stereos will be fine, things with elements not so fine. Lucky turn most devices over and it will say the input voltage somewhere.

  • Gunnar on 16/02/2023 - 09:13
    +1

    A lot would depend on how much that stuff on that is worth. Most of that list it’s a bit whatever don’t bother but the two things is how much is the bed and bike are. If we’re talking a bed made of American hardwoods (eg American walnut) and a 5-10k bike then I’d consider doing it. If it’s a cheap bed and bike then don’t bother

  • boomramada on 16/02/2023 - 09:23

    Its all depend on the value of the items, e.g. King foam mattress could cost $500 to $3000 new, but when you selling them second hand, it be around $100,
    Same with 3 seater leather couch, that be around $500 to $2000 new, price on selling in short period of time, probably $200
    then you need to buy them again.

    Electronic items probably better to buy them here, as they get out of date, damage in transit (insurance usually pay for the depreciated value), etc.

    6 Luggage full of stuff like clothes, toys and kitchen items, that's probably box it and send to Australia, or go through with them again and chuck some that not in use.

    having said that, I spend $8k for 4 bed room worth of stuff, from CBR to ADL.

  • Ryanek on 16/02/2023 - 09:34
    +3

    New country, new life. Start anew my friend.

  • GourmetFoodie on 16/02/2023 - 09:39
    +2

    You really have to know your prices. I’d lean towards shipping it because everyone I know who has been overseas for a while then moved back here has been shocked at the prices of everything. You could blow $10k Aussie pretty fast. Even a basic Freedom sofa is $3k alone. Those 6 suitcases of toys could be $3k worth before you know it.

    I’d map out the full contents in an excel spreadsheet and try to price like for like the Aussie replacement cost. If you post on here the exact item and quality/brand, people can help you out.

    • RockyRaccoon on 16/02/2023 - 13:34

      Yes I agree with your comments to the OP above. They need to look at all the personal items, towels sheets etc often far better quality than can be found here at cheaper prices, and as you said quality toys, but if there isnt much of that and they arent stuff that will last, get rid of them.

      OP, the mattresses will be useless unless you have friends who have some spare here. You will be without them for 2 months or maybe even longer. Where do you sleep either before leaving if you ship earlier or after you get here. Shipped everything back and found out that the "hard" way our 2 month ship ended up 3 months. Keeping in mind also that the mattresses like evrything else gets fumigated, so you need to air things out.

  • tmcn85 on 16/02/2023 - 10:29

    Try to find someone else who is moving around the same time and maybe you can piggy back on their container with reduced items.

  • Seraphin7 on 16/02/2023 - 11:18
    +2

    Seems like a lot of coin for what seems like (mainly) a lot of lower end, second hand, and perhaps well worn stuff.

  • mr_alligator on 16/02/2023 - 11:41

    Unless all your items are gold plated, a very silly idea to even consider bringing stuff life computer table, chair, side table half way across the world.

    Looks like the shipping company has found your post and have also voted for 'Bring it from US'. :p

  • djsweet on 16/02/2023 - 11:57
    +2

    The real question is where are you going to sleep during the 2 months your mattress is in transit!

    • sumyungguy on 16/02/2023 - 13:41

      The 100+ night Emma/Koala/Ecosa/Eva/Noa/Macoda/Sleeping Duck free-trial gambit

  • Gaz1 on 16/02/2023 - 13:26

    If you owned a reasonable car over there (or could find a good american classic car) & it could fit into the same container (or perhaps a 40 foot rather than 20 foot - often not much extra) that might make it worthwhile (either to keep or sell for a profit).

  • foxmulder on 16/02/2023 - 13:50

    Maybe someone can tell op how much those things he can get here? I'm too tired to do anything, I have tax to worry about :)

  • caboose on 16/02/2023 - 13:57
    +2

    We moved back from the US in 2021 and had similar amount of stuff. We sold all large items or gave them away to friends, and basically only took back personal electronics and clothes. Souvenirs and other ancillary items (books and bobbleheads) that we didn't need immediately or could stand to lose, we shipped via Seven Seas Worldwide using a couple of cardboard boxes.

    The bike is the only piece I would consider bringing back, I sold mine and slightly regret it as the price on new bikes are a bit eye watering - it is possible to have it brought with you as part of your checked luggage (I paid an oversize luggage fee of ~$200 bringing it over to the US), and is probably worth the cost.

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