Quito - Post Report Question and Answers
What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
We brought quite a bit of wine and are glad we did. You can find a decent selection of South American and European wines here, particularly Spanish, but it is significantly more expensive than the US. - Jul 2023
I shipped unscented cleaning products and soaps. - Jul 2023
All of their soaps - hand soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid- are intensely fragrant and filled with chemicals, I've not found anything non-scented here. Less common spices or Asian ingredients are hard to find. And there are very few American brands here so if you are wed to your Rice Krispies or Kind bars, you'll want to bring those. - Jul 2019
Laundry detergent (but get it online). Cat litter. There really isn't anything you cannot get online and to you in the span of a week. BBQ sauce, dice tomatoes, gnocchi, or kids' snacks. The embassy has a commissary with many of these things but it is more expensive than in the U.S. - Jul 2018
Mainly things that won't come through DPO. Shampoo, conditioner, lotions, big things of olive oil, liquor, white wine. The commissary has some stuff but the prices are high. - Mar 2017
Having lived abroad plenty I rarely regret not shipping something as I learn to live without. However, I can say that if you do not have access to good international mail (DPO) bring clothing as it is quite pricey in this city and shoes are not of great quality. I laughed seeing that shoes as Payless here cost well over $50 for the cheapest kids' shoes. - Sep 2016
You can get anything here, but what I wish somebody would have told me is how big of a terrace you can have. I would have shipped nice patio furniture. - Aug 2014
I'd bring a bigger car/SUV. My poor little sedan scraped the bottom on many a speed-bump. - Jul 2012
I can get most stuff here. Bring electronics! They are so expensive to buy here. Also, nice clothes are expensive, so I have friends and family bring me sweaters from home when they visit. - Jan 2011
I mail order or purchase Stateside most clothing, shoes and cosmetics, as good quality items here are expensive. I would bring a good grill and patio furniture; most apartments and houses have balconies or patios, and the weather is delightful for sitting out. - May 2010
nothing. - Oct 2009
Nothing, although it would be smart to make any major electronics purchases beforehand and ship them with your HHE. Electronics and clothes are pricey and best purchased elsewhere. - Jan 2009
