Looking back: Items brought back versus left behind ...

After 5 months of R2I, seems like a good time to do a bit of analysis on what we brought with us from US versus what we could have brought and what we could have left behind. Hope this helps some of you who are doing R2I and trying to decide on shipping ....

Worth bringing

Kids bicycles, Razor scotter etc: Have heard that you don't get good geared ones here + the quality of bikes you get in US is very good. Apartment complexes provide space where kids can bike around. So, definitely bring.


Kids books: yes, bring them over. Access to libraries is not very good. Haven't explored private libraries yet.


Reflective clothes: This is something we should have brought. Since cars and kids share the walkways next to apartment complexes, would really help to have cloths that reflect head light.


Shoes: You get all brands like Reebok etc here now but at US prices. Schools dictate their own shoes, starting from Bata to Reebok. If you are buying at a outlet, you get good prices on Reebok in US. So, worth getting few pairs.


Sports equipment: Tennis rackets, Baseball gloves/bats, Caps, Tennis balls, Shuttle rackets etc.


iPhone/iPAD/iPODs, Wii/XBox, Cameras: These cost much more here and worth bringing. iPhone can be unlocked for Rs. 500-800.


Large TVs, Music systems, DVD players, Piano/Keyboard, Toolsets: Make sure to bring a good one but one each- customs is hefty for second sets, even if they are older models.


Laptops, Computer accessories like routers, printers etc: Laptops and camera chargers etc handle 220Volts. However, routers etc don't. Hence, you need to bring along a step-up transformer. You can buy 1000Watts model for Rs. 2500-3000 in Bangalore but if you are shipping a 110V TV, you need to ship a good 1500Watts one along with TV as well. But, remember these are heavy!


Cordless phones, Alarm clock with battery back-up: Cordless phones work just fine. We brought the Panasonic cordless and works fine. We didn't bring a alarm clock with LED type of display and battery back-up. The ones we had work on power and are useless now since time resets whenever there is a power switch-over(which is at least once a day). Tired of resetting it each day and it is sitting back in the box now! Imagine your wake-up alarm getting reset during mid-night and school bus is already there when you wake up!


Hypoallergenic bed sheet, pillow covers, moisturizers like cetaphil: Haven't found these yet here. If you are allergic to dust etc(which you get plenty here!), bring these along.


Clothing: Worth bringing good Shorts, Jeans etc, including for kids. I am sure you get these here. But, your mobility might be restricted during first few months and better to have a stack of these so that you are not running around to get the brands that you are already used to. Shirts etc are available plenty and no point buying those over there.

May be/May be not

Spring Mattress: If your kids have outgrown these, not worth bringing over - I personally feel the coir ones we get in India are much better. However, kids can't do jumping over on these. If the kids are smaller, they like the mattress ones and can be used until they outgrow those. 


Furniture: Leather Sofas, Dining table etc: Chairs are a hassle and take good amount of shipping space, especially if they can't be folded. Good dining table (with 6 chairs) is available in India for Rs. 14,000-Rs.20,000. So, if the dining table you have already given you the ROI, sell or dump it and a get new one here. Also, worth selling if it can't be dismantled. Leather sofas might be worth shipping if in good condition. Sofas with recliners are also available now (for a price, of course). Leather quality may not be as good as the ones you get in US. So, if you have shipping space, would be worth bringing over. However, note that the large sectional sofas take up good amount of space and your decision needs to take the space you will have once you move as well.


Kids Toys: Good opportunity to sell, donate, dump some of these and bring only the ones kids need. We shipped a bunch and they are still sitting neatly in boxes and unlikely will see the light of the day again!


Backpacks, school supplies: You get good backpacks these days, for Rs. 1000-Rs.3000 range. Same for school supplies - good  quality materials are available now, including the same brands as in US. 


Clothing: Kids warm cloths, Heavy jackets, Hangers: The heavy jackets you used in US might not be that useful in places like Bangalore. Also, lots of full armed shirts etc are not that useful since most months are warmer and kids roam around in T-shirts and shorts most of the time.


Step stools, carpets, trash cans, trash bags: All of these are available and unless you have excess, not worth buying and shipping. You will have to get used to what is available here sooner or later.

Not worth, IMHO

Soaps, Shampoo, Shaving Gel: Better to get used to the ones available here and you get pretty much every brand now here.


Paper towels, Cloth towels, cleaning supplies: Even though quality is not that good, you can't live on supplies of these items from US forever! Ship few of these so that you can wean off gradually :-)


Bed sheets, Mattress Covers: Not worth buying new ones and shipping. You get much better colors here and quality is good as well.


Kitchen appliances:
Blender, Hair dryer, Washer, Dryer, Refrigerator, Microwave, Treadmill, Water filters, Ceramic items, Lamps etc: Most of these are high-wattage appliance and you will need a good sized transformer. If you can sell these items, sell those and you can buy new ones here. Also, if any of the US items stop working, you are in tough luck. So, not worth bringing over.
For ex, a decent LG brand washer and refrigerator cost Rs. 30,000 each for us and work nicely. Bit expensive compared to the US rates but if you add up the cost of transformer, shipping etc, cost would be close to what you pay here.