Okay, so whenever moving to another country, people always want to know what they should bring. I have decided to compile this list after living in Brasil for seven months. I love living in Brasil, but there are is also something to be said for having products to use that you are familiar with. Creating a home in a new country must be a mix of the old and the new. Little comforts from home can make a big difference when you are adjusting to a new life. The first time you come to Brasil (if you have a work visa) you can bring in almost anything you want. We had a number of friends bring in all of these items, though of course I cannot promise you wouldn't have problems going through customs. Anything with a star is something that I have not been able to find yet. Everything else is just so much more expensive, its worth dragging here in your suitcase. Brasil is also one of the only countries that you can bring two 70 lb suitcases to for free. I am not sure how the policy was put in place but all of the airlines we have flown have this exception for travelers coming or leaving Brasil. It's great!
Packing List
Electronics in Brasil are very expensive and not quite as reliable... at least the brands we can afford. These are all items we have learned to live without, but would use on a regular basis.
-out flat screen t.v.
-dvd player
-speaker set for Ipod
-waffle iron
-large george foreman grill
-toaster oven
-blender (the ones here are entirely plastic)
-mixer
Clothing
-men's polo shirts
-men's dress khakis
-men's leather sandals
-workout clothes
-running shoes (they can be up to 4 xs the price here)
*I don't seem to have a problem finding affordable women's clothes, there are a lot of cute dresses for sale
Food Items
-pancake mix*
-real maple syrup*
-Ghiradelli brownie mix*
-chocolate chips*
-peanut butter*
-ziplock bags*
-cereal (kashi crunch, organic brands)*
-trail mix
Doggie Wish List
-squeaky tennis balls*
-jerky bones
-bully sticks*
-peanut butter*
Household
-fluffy towels
-linens
Toiletries
-high quality shampoo and conditioner
-deodorant (we can only find roll on)*
-spray on sunscreen
-contact lenses
If you live or have lived in Brasil and have anything to add, I would love the input. This list is a work in progress and I want to compile as complete a list as possible for expats.
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Hi
ReplyDeleteI was doing some research online and came across your website. I hope you don't mind me reaching out to you. I'm a casting assistant in New York for a popular show about people relocating outside North America. It's called House Hunters International and airs on the Home & Garden cable network (HGTV). We are casting people for this show right now and I was wondering if you or anyone you know would be interested in participating.
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Olá Andi-in-Rio!
ReplyDeleteHave been in Brazil - BH more precisely... LOVE the country and will be moving there in the future, hopefully by August 2011…
Have an online business here in the U.S. to service the U.S, Brazil and eventually Italy with home products. Knowing that U.S. products are in high demand in Brazil, we are seeking means to make them as affordable as possible for the general mass (including an annual membership as a wholesaler, similar to Direct Buy). In this process we have come across two companies of many in this country that offer great forward shipping services at the lowest rates – both are located in Miami and they accept packages for delivery to Brazil or any other part of the globe for that matter. You may want to check them out if you do not use a forward shipper…
The first is www.USAbox.com and they will ship anywhere in the world… has a $25 setup fee and a monthly cost of $9.95. One 4.55 Kg (10 lb.) express package delivered per month costs $45.25. So your overall costs for one year of the service would be $641.40 (setup fee: $15.00 + monthly fee: $9.95 x 12 + monthly 4.55 Kg shipment: $42.25 x 12). These figures are estimates… Several sites that review forward shippers have rated this site as number one so they must be doing something right!
The other is www.Skybox.net and they are Brazil specific and focus primarily on shoppers… they have generally com in 2nd or third on the same review sites… costs are a higher the USAbox but much cheaper than many others…
Hope his helps!
beijos e um forte abraço!!