Yerevan - Post Report Question and Answers
What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I highly recommend shipping consumables if your employer offers that allowance. American brand peanut butter and any kind of real maple syrup are expensive here. Imported liquor and wine can be expensive. Beer selection is limited. There is one good brewery and the stores carry Corona, Heineken, Stella plus other local beers that are meh. They only had diplomatic pouch at the embassy (though I’ve heard rumors that they’re getting DPO) and you can only ship 16 oz of liquid per pouch shipment per person. Bring shampoo, conditioner, etc. Even brands like Loreal here are made in Russia and seem to be of poor quality. Bring a LOT of lotion and chapstick. It’s extremely dry like I’ve never experienced before. You’ll go through a lot of both of those things. Really any personal hygiene items that you are picky about are good to bring. You don’t want to use the feminine hygiene products that they sell here. If you like to bake, bring vanilla. - Jan 2022
Too many to list: cereal, coffee, chips, snacks, cookies, beans, marinates, seasonings, mustard, ketchup, pickles, sauerkraut, all liquid detergents, oxy-clean, pasta and other sauces, wine, beer, soft drinks. All aerosols, paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, napkins, dishwasher tablets, kitchen sponges, and Dawn. - Aug 2021
More liquid laundry detergent and dish soap. The brands here just do not seem to get things as clean or cut through the grease like American Dawn does. It is a consumables post so we shipped the typical liquid goods like peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, American wine and beer. - May 2021
Honestly, more peanut butter. That's about the only thing which I really miss! - Mar 2017
Only very specialized items. Otherwise, almost everything is available these days. Imported goods are more expensive than local. - Oct 2014
Cleaning supplies and paper towels - they're expensive here. Also, anything with a lithium battery cannot be shipped overseas. - Sep 2011
We shipped a lot of consumables, most of which is available here (but quite expensive).But you won't find peanut butter or many ethnic ingredients. - Oct 2009
Any and all items related to baking (chocolate chips, yeast, coconut, frosting), over the counter medications like NyQuil and sunscreen and particularly contact lens supplies, and anything to do with kids given the high price, suspect quality, and hit-and-miss availability of diapers, clothes, activities, DVDs, car seats, and outdoor games. Also home cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, sports equipment, and any snack, food (particularly ethnic) or other item that you would really need or miss. The Embassy Commissary is pretty well stocked, and restocks quarterly, but you have to check the expiration date. - Jul 2008
Bring our own baking supplies (especially if you do not have access to the Commissary). Most houses don't have closets so we always buy IKEA (disposable) wardrobes. You'll need to bring a healthy supply of English language books (novels, etc.) if you are a reader. - Jan 2008
