Brasilia - Post Report Question and Answers
What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
There's actually Sam's Club here and of course DPO/Pouch, so really just liquids that are more difficult to ship. We brought a bunch of peanut butter for instance. - Jan 2024
The typical "American staples" are not as good here such as peanut butter, cereals and certain baking materials. otherwise, it is easy to get most things here. - Oct 2021
Cereal - packets here are small and expensive. - May 2020
We can use Amazon, so most stuff from the States is easy to get, but I wish we'd shipped more laundry detergent. But that's mostly because I like a specific brand. - May 2017
Paper and plastic products such as garbage bags, Ziploc bags, aluminum foil, Saran wrap and Tupperware containers. They are very poor quality here. We also order all of our diapers and wipes from the States through Amazon. - May 2017
Dawn dishwashing liquid, vegetable broth, 2-3 humidifiers, colorful blankets, quilts, pillow covers, lampshades, rugs, pictures, etc. EVERYTHING is beige here, do your mental outlook a favor and bring lots of color in your suitcases, UAB and HHE.
Bring your own vacuum cleaning and wrapping paper/ gift bags (raid a dollar store). Bring bug spray for your body. Bring patio furniture (smaller size if in an apartment, but we have 3 balconies, and no furniture). I would also have brought an outdoor storage unit to put on one of the balconies for extra storage space) - Mar 2017
Liquids. Since the currency has dropped, this place has gotten a lot more affordable. Initially everyone said bring tires--but now the price is better here than in the US. I would also bring good quality beer.;) - May 2016
i prepared well since this is our 5th post, but bring all the liquids you might want or need. - Aug 2015
Patio/yard furniture. Playground or trampoline for the kids. - Aug 2015
Peanut butter, bug spray, sunscreen and aluminum foil. - Aug 2015
The welcome kit of dishes, sheets, towels, etc... provided by the Embassy is OK, but considering that we don't get our shipments for up to 4 or 5 months, I should have sent more of my favorite cooking things in advance by mail - i.e. baking stuff, nice knives, additional cutting boards. - Jun 2014
A bicycle and helmet. - Sep 2012
We brought a trampoline and are happy we did. Anything you bring (especially outdoor furniture, bbq, etc) can be resold for what you paid for it or more. - Dec 2011
Anything with any significant cost you will want to ship or order from the US once you arrive. I cannot stress that enough. If it is imported into Brazil, do not buy it here. Local goods and services are reasonable. - Aug 2011
Baby/toddler/preschooler items (from diapers to toys -- particularly oversized toys that can't be shipped there) marinades, and Mexican food. - Dec 2009
Diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, toys, sun screen, electronics, bras (no cup sizes here, and you can't try on white ones before buying), bathing suits (skimpy here). - Nov 2009
Humidifiers for the dry season. - Jun 2009
Send any liquids you will need with HHE. You can´t get them through the pouch or APO. Things like Listerine are very expensive here. - Aug 2008
