Jakarta - Post Report Question and Answers
What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Alcohol, dryer sheets, laundry detergent, Q-tips, certain makeup/hair/personal products. Oh, tampons. Also, favorite OTC meds – for colds, stomach issues. - Dec 2023
We wish we had taken more Costco toilet paper along as rolls here are smaller and rougher, haha. - May 2023
Real maple syrup. - Oct 2021
Most things you need are available in Jakarta, including US brand clothes and makeup. I do not think there was much we could not find on the local market. What is very expensive is quality kids toys -- could be USD 40 for a small lego set. Or you could buy a 5 Chinese lego-like set. Recommend bringing gifts for birthday parties etc from your home country to cut expenses. - Sep 2020
While you'll pay more for imported items, and they aren't always available, there's nothing we haven't been able to find. For example, you can get Cheez Balls, Raisin Bran, Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, and Cherry Dr. Pepper (in addition to more normal items). Just like any other place, bring any super specific brands you can't live without. But seriously, they have pretty much everything you can imagine. - Feb 2018
WINE!!!! There is some at the Commissary but after two years you get bored! Cereal, it's about US$15 for a box of cereal in the local economy- maple syrup-shampoo and conditioner. - Jan 2015
Surprisingly, vaseline was almost impossible to find! Vitamins are available, but really expensive. - Jan 2013
Herbal tea. It costs US$8/box here. Cereal is also expensive, but I have switched to oatmeal. - Jun 2012
if you are a typical western size, then bring clothes to fit. - Jan 2012
Not much-only a few household items that I had trouble finding locally as well as a few comfort foods. - Jul 2011
A trampoline--it would be nice to have one in the yard and a basketball hoop. (The embassy just purchased new furniture--so I do not even miss my bed!) - Jul 2011
I shipped items regularly to post through the Embassy mail, but I would have shipped pet food and cat litter in my household effects if I'd realized the price. - Dec 2010
Insect repellent, decent Tea, bacon, sausages, casual clothing in natural fibres. - Nov 2010
Storage racks and bins. Dryfit, polyester t-shirts to endure the heat. Large shoes (as sizes above size 10 U.S. can be nearly impossible to find). - Jul 2010
Shoes, if you are above a U.S. women's size 7 or a U.S. Men's size 9. Everything else is available. - Mar 2008
