What do you regret not bringing with you?

Still debating whether to bring the dual-voltage Con Air hair dryer. I do still have a British voltage one over there but its pretty old and not as good.

I would have bought a dual voltage outlet strip, which is readily available in the US, but not here. All of my external hard drives are dual voltage, but unless I buy adapter plugs (which really aren't a good idea) I am snookered. These outlet strips accept almost any plug, so plug in the dual voltage gear, plug into the UK mains, and you are good to go.

Would also have bought the step-down transformers in the US because they are MUCH cheaper. We loaded a 40-foot container, so shipping a little of this and a little of that was not an issue. Aside from that, at least a gallon of white vinegar, household ammonia (for cleaning), a HUGE box of baking soda (also good for cleaning) buttermilk powder (for baking) and at least a year's supply of paper towels (cheaper and better).

I would have bought a dual voltage outlet strip, which is readily available in the US, but not here. All of my external hard drives are dual voltage, but unless I buy adapter plugs (which really aren't a good idea) I am snookered. These outlet strips accept almost any plug, so plug in the dual voltage gear, plug into the UK mains, and you are good to go.

Would also have bought the step-down transformers in the US because they are MUCH cheaper. We loaded a 40-foot container, so shipping a little of this and a little of that was not an issue. Aside from that, at least a gallon of white vinegar, household ammonia (for cleaning), a HUGE box of baking soda (also good for cleaning) buttermilk powder (for baking) and at least a year's supply of paper towels (cheaper and better).

Thank you great suggestions! I am getting a couple of step down transformers before we move and thanks to your suggestions, I just ordered one outlet strip and a all in one travel power plug with surge protection. Will order a couple more of the power strips later also.

I will stock up on buttermilk powder,love it, and did not even think about it when reading how buttermilk was difficult to come by in a few threads, great suggestion!

I will also pick up a few large boxes of baking soda.

Already working on the Paper Towels which will be free or close to free (with coupons)

Keep these suggestions coming! They are great!

Amazing what people regard as essential. Don't think I'd bother with paper towels -- I lived with the British version for over 20 years and never even thought about it. But there's probably other stuff I'd have lugged over that others would be surprised at 

Aside from that, at least a gallon of white vinegar, household ammonia (for cleaning), a HUGE box of baking soda (also good for cleaning) buttermilk powder (for baking) and at least a year's supply of paper towels (cheaper and better).

Honestly, would you really have paid to ship over these things?  You'll eventually run out anyway...

Don't think I'd bother with paper towels --

I also can't imagine wasting valuable and expensive shipping space on paper towels no matter how cheap they are.  I'm not a fan of the paper towels here but they do sell Plenty which is the rebranded Bounty. 

I used rolls of paper towels as padding when I packed my stuff, because I knew I'd want them. They do sell Bounty here (under the name Plenty) and it does compare (yes, I put them side by side) but the rolls are shorter. Um, width wise.

I can get white vinegar in abundance here (at canning and pickling time), but I would give a lot for a big bottle of household ammonia. And bleach (you can find small bottles of thin bleach here sometimes, but most bleach has a thickening agent it in). And some containers of abrasive cleanser -- you know, Comet or Dutch.

Sure, you run out eventually...but you go back home eventually, too  

I can get white vinegar in abundance here (at canning and pickling time), but I would give a lot for a big bottle of household ammonia. And bleach (you can find small bottles of thin bleach here sometimes, but most bleach has a thickening agent it in). And some containers of abrasive cleanser -- you know, Comet or Dutch.

I think this is probably a moot point, since I don't think you're allowed to ship hazardous chemicals, at least according to UPackWeShip

The reason I didn't ship over any of that was fear that it would leak in transit.

I rented part of a container, though, and as far as I can tell, nobody checked nothing, ever. I swear, I could've shipped over a hundred cubic feet of AK-47s and kiddie porn.

Since I never use Bleach or ammonia that is not an issue. As far as using up space to ship paper towels I wouldn't do that.

But we will be using a 20 foot container and I honestly think we will have plenty of room and since I extreme coupon and toilet paper and paper towels are basically FREEBEE's or perks of extreme couponing (we use charmin and bounty) if we have room they will get shipped. If we don't then our friends will not have to buy either for a while.

I  extreme coupon for NON-PERISHABLE items, i.e. deodorant, shampoo, razors, paper products etc not so much into the food side of extreme couponing.

For me there is no room for regrets as I simply could not afford to ship anything.  I came over with two big suitcases and my harp (the inside of the case was padded with clothes). 

I posted several small boxes to myself containing mostly my music books.  I had to leave all my other books and everything else behind.  I gave mostly everything away, sold my futon and frame for cheap to my boss (it's now a couch in the staff break room). 

I had *so* many books, my one regret is not making a list of what they were so that I could slowly replace them.

I have no problems at all here finding ammonia, buttermilk or white vinegar. Really, those items shouldn't be an issue for anyone.

I brought over a bunch of deodorants, boxes of tampons, shampoo, etc., because I was convinced I wouldn't be able to find what I wanted here. Ridiculous. I very quickly found the same products, or equivalents or, more often than not, something I even preferred.

Bring anything with sentimental value and things that you can't replace. But the rest of it ... I wouldn't bother.

I brought over a bunch of deodorants, boxes of tampons, shampoo, etc., because I was convinced I wouldn't be able to find what I wanted here. Ridiculous. I very quickly found the same products, or equivalents or, more often than not, something I even preferred.

Bring anything with sentimental value and things that you can't replace. But the rest of it ... I wouldn't bother.

This. It is also very likely that you won't have the space to store all of those extra supplies!

Honestly, would you really have paid to ship over these things?  You'll eventually run out anyway...

We had a 40 foot container, as I said in the original post so 'paying' was not an issue as the cost of the container was the cost, no matter how full. If you have a container, then pack out with everything you want. The tighter the 'pack' the higher likelihood of your stuff arriving in good condition.

We have packed shipping containers for several overseas moves over the past few years. If you think you want it/need it, then ship it!

We had a 40 foot container, as I said in the original post so 'paying' was not an issue as the cost of the container was the cost, no matter how full. If you have a container, then pack out with everything you want. The tighter the 'pack' the higher likelihood of your stuff arriving in good condition.

We have packed shipping containers for several overseas moves over the past few years. If you think you want it/need it, then ship it!

you are exactly right about packing and I think paper towels would be great fillers, the less movement, the less breakage. you also take advantage of every drawer, pot, etc no unfilled spaces. People would be amazed at how much you can get into a container if packed right.

we are not taking much furniture, mattresses, a few family pieces, and a couple of pieces that are especially meaningful to my husband and myself. We are in the antique business so we have always replaced furniture over the years and it will be fun hunting down the perfect pieces for our new home. I'm sure we are going to have plenty of room in the 20 footer we are taking.