Dhaka - Post Report Question and Answers
What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I wish I had loaded my HHE with cleaning supplies, seasonings, sparkling water cans, toilet paper, etc. Luckily you can get most things on Amazon except for the heavy liquids. I thought everything would be super cheap here, but even clothes hangers at the store are $5 for 5 hangers! I can get 50 hangers on Amazon for $10. It's a stupid example, but I was just really shocked how expensive everything is especially considering the low quality. Everything is cheap plastic from China. I bought a $20 mop here and it's already broken. Just bring anything you think you could possibly need during your time here. Other people just deal with it, spend the money, or make it their housekeeper's problem. You know yourself better than anyone else. - Jul 2023
Mosquito repellent. - Dec 2021
I didn't have this option, but almost everything you need is available. During normal times, quick trips to Bangkok allow you to get anything you need. - Sep 2021
I shippped mostly Latin food products. - Jun 2019
Nail polish and remover. Laudry and dish soap. ` - Jul 2018
Bring everything you think you will need or want. Since US embassy personnel are not allowed to visit any local retail venues, it is difficult or impossible to obtain most household items locally. - Apr 2017
Most things are available on Amazon. I wish I had shipped some things that are not allowed on air freight: alcohol, certain cleaning supplies, nail polish and nail polish remover, etc. Chocolate should be hand-carried or else it'll melt in the mail (although I've had good luck ordering chocolate online in the winter). - Jun 2016
Carpets, green cleaning supplies, high quality liquor. - May 2016
More laundry soap (liquid restrictions through mail) and toilet paper (very cheap locally but I don't like it). Special food items like Mexican food ingridients. - Sep 2014
Shoes. Plenty of shoes becuase they wear out fast there. - Aug 2014
Favorite toiletry brands; dehumidifiers; every painting I ever loved (framing is CHEAP and good quality here). - Jul 2014
Equipment for a home gym. - Aug 2013
None. Maybe a bread machine. - Apr 2013
Whatever you can't live without, because you probably won't find it here. Bring good shoes, kids' toys, sunscreen, etc. Pouch saves us a lot by mailing. - Aug 2011
Order a lot through Amazon.com and other grocers that ship to DPO and/or pouch. Most food stuff at the commissary is expired and local market stuff is sometimes questionable. Anything that doesn't expire quickly I would recommend shipping. - Jun 2011
On the contrary, I brought tons of food from Trader Joe's, which I still haven't eaten. - Feb 2011
I would ship my favorite shampoo and DVDs, as all of the ones here are pirated. - Jan 2011
more books. - Jan 2011
More electric APS units. - Apr 2010
With the pouch/DPO and a good commissary, there are few things that I can't get (though I use drugstore.com frequently).Larger items that don't fit through the pouch are important to buy before packing out--artificial Christmas trees come to mind. Don't expect to buy a TV here as they are pricey; however, many people buy TVs on vacation in Bangkok or Hong Kong and bring them back as checked luggage. - Oct 2009
Not much. We came pretty prepared. - Aug 2009
If you like to BBQ, ship a grill, and anything that is too big for the pouch or APO. - Mar 2009
Sports equipment, electronics (multi system TV). - Oct 2008
Nothing. - Mar 2008
I have APO access so I order everything there via the internet. - Feb 2008
