Moving to Delhi in Feb

amystarcraft

After several months of negotiations, I have managed to arrange a new job in Delhi which will start in February. I have learnt so much from this site so it has made the decision so much easier for us. We go in with open eyes.

The job Im going to provides a furnished apartment but only provides a small allowance for relocation/settling. In some ways Im glad as IMers seem to indicate to only bring 'patience' with me, I think someone said 20 boxes full.

Im just interested in what would be the things above all that would be best to bring. Im going to be ditching most stuff here and paying to store the rest. I was thinking personal type stuff such as photos/pictures and sentimental type toys for my daughter (4). The rest we can buy. Its just a tough call when we have bread makers etc here, but have to pay $30/kg to ship it over. Any tips?

Also does anyone have any recommendations on vaccinations. We will have medical provided as part of the job but I understand we should prepare ourselves before hand. Im planning to take the family to our doctor shortly but its always interesting to get a point of view from that end.

Thanks IMers

Nick-H

Congratulations on the job, and welcome to the site. You've obviously been browsing here for a while

$30 for what kind of shipping? by air? If so check out the cost by sea: you'll have to wait around for it longer, but won't have to pay as much. Remember, though, that you are likely to be charged duty for anything you import.

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amystarcraft

Thanks for that. The $30/kg was for air. Currently looking at shipping which does seem cheaper but there seems to be additional charges for eveything. Still looking.

Ive had some advice on the customs duty but seem to get a different opinion the more I look. Sounds as though its a bit of a scam. The common thing seems to be that anything electrical will get around a 30% tax(?) irrespective of whether you've owned it for ten years and Alcohol are the two biggies.

Im looking to try and minimise the stuff I bring and just purchase in country most things I need. I will be bringing a PC (less monitor) and laptop but the tax thing has me a bit worried. Can anyone shed some light on their experiences. For example Id bring my printer but if its going to cost me more money than its worth Ill buy a new one there. With less than two months to go we need to start making some decisions on what to take and what not to.

Anyway happy new year to all.

Dave

Nick-H

Indeed you do! if you ship it by sea it might take a couple of months to get here.

This customs business is tough to answer. If you are here long-term, with a residents permit, you can apply to import your stuff under a scheme called Transfer of Residence.

You'll be working here, so you'll have to do the foreigner's registration/residents permit thing anyway. This is something that the shipping company should be able to advise on!

Mine was all done by the shipping company here --- and cost me GBP50 in duty! That's for a whole house full of furniture and electronics. But I was pretty scared and prepared for the worst

amystarcraft

Thanks Nick, Ill have to look into it, talking with frieght companies at the moment.

The duty has had me frightened so I was contemplating not having any freight so I wouldnt have the problem.

Looks like its worth it but its these tricks that catch the unweary. Thanks

The other thing I heard was that some of the customs are somewhat dodgy and your stuff is often gone through and things taken. Any truth to this? Im sure I saw a few bad stories on IM.

Nick-H

The last time I heard of something going missing in the airport it was something silly like one sheet. Not the valuable electronics, but one sheet!

It is so long since I saw my possessions (they have been in warehouses in UK and Chennai for more than a year now) that I'll be hard put to know if anything's gone --- but I've taken a part delivery of most of the electronics, which is all correct.

Customs has the reputation of being one of the most 'profitable' areas of government service. It is better to have someone here who knows who they are dealing with.