Need advice on moving -- US to Riyadh

Last activity 03 August 2015 by stressedmom

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joe_soccialMember26 July 2015 03:30:23

I am taking a university teaching job in Riyadh, and now have to plan moving. Any and all advice gratefully accepted.
What should wife and I bring? What should we bring that it usually wouldn't occur to us to bring? Books & videos?
What should we not bring (alcohol, bibles, I know, but what else?)
Should we ship boxes, or just stick with airplane luggage?
Reputable shipping companies? How much will it cost?
Do they search our computers when we come? Do they confiscate them? How do I bring data files?
What else should we know?

goodvampNew member26 July 2015 07:51:50

Dear Joe,

Don't Worry. They don't search your computer / laptop.
But i advice you don't bring any CD/DVD especially porn movies. Sometimes they will check it.
Also don't bring alcohol and meat from pork and books from other religion than Islam.

You don't need to bring things too much. They sell it here

alpha.oneSerial expat26 July 2015 15:58:30

270

Bring things you can't live without, all other things available here so you can buy locally.
What do you want to ship...furniture? if so, no need there's plenty available.
Travel light, essentials only, bring your desktop/laptop/external hard-drive (make sure there's no porn on it).
If necessary, you can ship things using any of your local shippers.

florence.scholtzNew member27 July 2015 07:35:23

hi, so no chance of taking a Bible with - as part of big luggage not hand luggage - ?

goodvampNew member27 July 2015 11:09:20

Hi Florence,
I suggest you don't bring it. Even they are rarely check every luggage.
There is some people bring Bible for their own purpose and fine.
But if they find you bring a Bible you will get a problem , but don't worry they will not kill you or put you in the jail if they find it.

joe_soccialMember03 August 2015 00:54:05

thanks.

stressedmomSerial expat03 August 2015 05:16:39

661

If you have a preference for daily routine items like shampoo or conditioner or face stuff. Then bring a supply of those. Many are available but at a lot higher rate than say Target & not always the same quaiity.

DVD's/CDs bring & if you don't insist on cases, put them into case logics for easier carrying.

Don't use UPS they are expensive. I know on this end MoveOne is good and so is Four Winds. Try contacting them & see who their US equivalent is (think at least one is Mayflower) for pricing. Shipping will take at least 60days by sea plus you have customs so you could look at 3 months shipping.

Random things I bring are like lemon instant pudding, tampons (sorry I know) and french onion soup mix as I can't find any in Jeddah - don't know about Riyadh, but have been told the Tamimi stores are like Safeway & have a lot more import stuff (none in Jeddah as of yet).

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