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What did you bring when you moved to the US?

By okko in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

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I've looked into the air cargo but I'm just afraid it would be risky? Do you have any experience and maybe can you suggest me a company that is good? The reason I'm a little concerned is the fact that with a cargo usually you share with bigger companies and not other people (unlike mail) and this would maybe result in a more rough handling of the packages and less guarantee that it will arrive intact.. Correct me if I am wrong of course :D

No it depends on what company you pick I believe. I don't know any companies in Denmark but Travel Cargo in Sweden is good and they have a drop off place in Malmo. As I understood it, it will go on the same plane as you travel on but it goes there as cargo. You'd have to file paperwork for it and pick it up the airport's cargo area of the airport (Meaning you'd be unable to just claim it at the luggage claim) as it has to be examined by customs.

If you tell them it's fragile they will do their best to make sure it is handled with care. It goes in a special cargo container and is not handled the way the luggage are handled.





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Unidentified
Unidentified

If Europeans bring anything it's candy. Americans do not know how to make good candy... Every time I go to the candy aisle I get homesick.

awaywego
awaywego

I think what you bring on an international move depends partly on what items are most important to you. We approached packing for our move from the US to Germany (other direction, I know) as an exerci

UnicornToes
UnicornToes

I brought the majority of my clothes, all my immigration related stuff, all other important documents and my most prized possessions (not all of them unfortunately, as I did not have room in my case).

Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

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2 x 20kg and one hand luggage, flying with Norwegian

Did you already book? If not, Icelandair lets you have 2 checked in bags + 1 carry on + 1 personal bag included in the ticket price. You have to pay for food but if you really want to bring a lot things over, Icelandair is awesome.





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okko Contributor

okko   1

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Maybe it is an offer only available from Germany. How far do you live from the border? If not too far it may be worth driving over and dropping packages of at a German post office.

From Germany, DHL has flatrate shipping to the USA, weight based (boxes must stay within certain measurements).

Here is the link: https://www.dhl.de/en/paket/pakete-versenden/weltweit-versenden/paket.html

I sent around 10 packages with 17-20kg each, per package it was 68.99 Euro (currently ca. 77 dollars). Packages up to 31.5kg are 94.99 Euro.

The packages are tracked and insured. In the US, they are delivered by USPS. Each of my package arrived in one piece (I taped them up very well and packed everything very good). No damages or losses, individual packages took between 7 and 15 days.

In Germany, they can be dropped off at any post office.

PS: Welcome to a future NJ resident, I am in NJ myself, up in New Brunswick, Middlesex County.

Thank you very much for this! I'll definitely take a look! And thanks, I will be moving to Mercy County and later on move closer to Newark :P

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okko Contributor

okko   1

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Did you already book? If not, Icelandair lets you have 2 checked in bags + 1 carry on + 1 personal bag included in the ticket price. You have to pay for food but if you really want to bring a lot things over, Icelandair is awesome.

Yes, I already did but I will keep it in mind next time I travel.. I didn't know that all of that was included!

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ChuckM Explorer

ChuckM   8

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One thing to consider is food. If you are coming from a culture that is much different the the American culture, talk with you partner about what is available. When my wife came from the middle east, I was shocked that she brought almost 3/4 of her luggage was spices, herbs, nuts and other food stuffs that she knew from talking with friends that she could not get in the US. Now when we travel back to her country, we do the same things, about 1/2 of our luggage coming home is filled with herbs and spices. These do not weigh much, but if you plan on cooking like you would at home, you can get meat, vegetables and starch here, but the herbs and spices from your home will be different.

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Ortolan Rising Star

Ortolan   381

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We sent things to the U.S. a little at a time, through DHL. We only sent the things we really loved that couldn't be replaced. It's just STUFF. We still ended up spending a few hundred dollars at least, in shipping costs.

Photo albums, mementos, a few books...leave the dishes and linens and forget about the furniture. Don't break your bank account for things that can be replaced. Bring all your most important papers with you, in your carry-on bag.

"Wherever you go, you take yourself with you." --Neil Gaiman

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TabeaK Proficient

TabeaK   517

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One thing to consider is food. If you are coming from a culture that is much different the the American culture, talk with you partner about what is available. When my wife came from the middle east, I was shocked that she brought almost 3/4 of her luggage was spices, herbs, nuts and other food stuffs that she knew from talking with friends that she could not get in the US. Now when we travel back to her country, we do the same things, about 1/2 of our luggage coming home is filled with herbs and spices. These do not weigh much, but if you plan on cooking like you would at home, you can get meat, vegetables and starch here, but the herbs and spices from your home will be different.

That is most likely less of an issue for Europeans - I have been here a month and a half and I have been able to find almost anything, including the original German brands - plus there are specialty stores online. But your point is valid, even though you are very restricted as to what to bring into the US food wise.

K1 time line

 


I-129F sent: 12/23/2014
NOA-1: 12/29/2014
NOA-2: 06/05/2015 (158 days)
NOA-2 hardcopy: 06/11/2015 (6 days post NOA-2, 164 days total)
Sent to NVC: 06/16/2015 (11 days post NOA-2, 169 days total)
NVC receive: 06/25/2015 (20 days post NOA-2, 178 days total)
NVC case no: 06/30/2015 (25 days post NOA-2, 183 days total)
NVC left: 07/02/2015 (27 days post NOA-2, 185 days total)
Case Ready: 07/07/2015 (32 days post NOA-2, 190 days total)
submitted DS-160, paid visa fee.: 07/21/2015 (46 days post NOA-2, 204 days total)
Packet 3 sent: 07/25/2015 (50 days post NOA-2, 209 days total)
Pack 4 received: 07/30/2015 (55 days post NOA-2, 214 days total)
Medical: 09/17/2015 Interview: 09/23/2015 (108 days post NOA-2, 268 days total)
Interview Result: Approved Administrative Processing: 09/23/2015
CEAC Status Issued: 09/24/2015
Visa in hand: 09/28/2015
POE: 12/29/2015 Wedding: 01/11/2016


AOS Time Line

 

AOS package mailed: 01/13/2016
AOS package received: 01/20/2016 (day 1)
AOS NOA-1 text/email: 01/23/2016 (day 3), actual NOA-1 date 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS Fingerprint fee received: 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS check cashed: 01-25-2016 (day 5) Got 6 month NJ driver's license: 01-25-2016
3x NOA-1 hardcopies: 02/03/2016 (day 14)

Biometrics letter: 02/05/2016 (day 16) Biometrics appt (Elizabeth, NJ): 02/17/2016 (day 28)

EAD and AP approved email/txt: 03/29/2016 (day 67)

GC approval email/text: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

I-797 for I-765/I-131 in mail: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

EAD/AP delivered: 04/05/216 (day 75)

GC card being mailed status update: 04/07/16 (day 77)

GC received: 04/11/16 (day 84 post AOS NOA-1)

DONE WITH USCIS FOR 21 MONTHS!

ROC Window opens: 01/04/2018

 

ROC Time Line
ROC package mailed to Vermont 01/04/2018
ROC package received at Vermont 01/08/2018 (day 0)
Check cashed: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
NOA-1 date: 01/09/2018 (day 1)
NOA-1 received: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
Biometrics notice received: 02/09/2018 (day 32)
Biometrics appointment: 02/23/2018 (day 46)
Received 18-month extension letter: 08/13/2018 (day 209)
ROC Approved: 03/09/2019 (day 425)
Card Received: 03/16/2019  (day 432)
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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   899

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One thing to consider is food. If you are coming from a culture that is much different the the American culture, talk with you partner about what is available. When my wife came from the middle east, I was shocked that she brought almost 3/4 of her luggage was spices, herbs, nuts and other food stuffs that she knew from talking with friends that she could not get in the US. Now when we travel back to her country, we do the same things, about 1/2 of our luggage coming home is filled with herbs and spices. These do not weigh much, but if you plan on cooking like you would at home, you can get meat, vegetables and starch here, but the herbs and spices from your home will be different.

One has to be careful about bringing food stuff to the US. Most of the time you're fine, but if you encounter a Custom's officer on a bad day, they can confiscate those herbs and spices. But 9 out of 10 times, you get away with bringing these.

Luckily, nowadays practically everything, even hard to get food/cooking products, are generally available in US towns and cities.

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Yoveeta Explorer

Yoveeta   36

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Did you already book? If not, Icelandair lets you have 2 checked in bags + 1 carry on + 1 personal bag included in the ticket price. You have to pay for food but if you really want to bring a lot things over, Icelandair is awesome.

Norvegian has same, I had 2 checked bags, 1 bag pack as carry on and personal bag where I kept things like phone, my BIG envelope, documents, wallet and etc. And if talking about food, I'm glad I didn't bought dinner on board, the one they served for 25£ didn't look very appetising. . I just made some chicken salad and didn't starve during the flight. Overall I like Norvegian, because they offer really nice fares, and it was quite good, knowing it's budget flights.

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TabeaK Proficient

TabeaK   517

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Germany
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If Europeans bring anything it's candy. Americans do not know how to make good candy... Every time I go to the candy aisle I get homesick.

Agreed. Great chocolate, marzipan, great bonbons, fruit based sweets...that is the only thing I am missing.

K1 time line

 


I-129F sent: 12/23/2014
NOA-1: 12/29/2014
NOA-2: 06/05/2015 (158 days)
NOA-2 hardcopy: 06/11/2015 (6 days post NOA-2, 164 days total)
Sent to NVC: 06/16/2015 (11 days post NOA-2, 169 days total)
NVC receive: 06/25/2015 (20 days post NOA-2, 178 days total)
NVC case no: 06/30/2015 (25 days post NOA-2, 183 days total)
NVC left: 07/02/2015 (27 days post NOA-2, 185 days total)
Case Ready: 07/07/2015 (32 days post NOA-2, 190 days total)
submitted DS-160, paid visa fee.: 07/21/2015 (46 days post NOA-2, 204 days total)
Packet 3 sent: 07/25/2015 (50 days post NOA-2, 209 days total)
Pack 4 received: 07/30/2015 (55 days post NOA-2, 214 days total)
Medical: 09/17/2015 Interview: 09/23/2015 (108 days post NOA-2, 268 days total)
Interview Result: Approved Administrative Processing: 09/23/2015
CEAC Status Issued: 09/24/2015
Visa in hand: 09/28/2015
POE: 12/29/2015 Wedding: 01/11/2016


AOS Time Line

 

AOS package mailed: 01/13/2016
AOS package received: 01/20/2016 (day 1)
AOS NOA-1 text/email: 01/23/2016 (day 3), actual NOA-1 date 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS Fingerprint fee received: 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS check cashed: 01-25-2016 (day 5) Got 6 month NJ driver's license: 01-25-2016
3x NOA-1 hardcopies: 02/03/2016 (day 14)

Biometrics letter: 02/05/2016 (day 16) Biometrics appt (Elizabeth, NJ): 02/17/2016 (day 28)

EAD and AP approved email/txt: 03/29/2016 (day 67)

GC approval email/text: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

I-797 for I-765/I-131 in mail: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

EAD/AP delivered: 04/05/216 (day 75)

GC card being mailed status update: 04/07/16 (day 77)

GC received: 04/11/16 (day 84 post AOS NOA-1)

DONE WITH USCIS FOR 21 MONTHS!

ROC Window opens: 01/04/2018

 

ROC Time Line
ROC package mailed to Vermont 01/04/2018
ROC package received at Vermont 01/08/2018 (day 0)
Check cashed: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
NOA-1 date: 01/09/2018 (day 1)
NOA-1 received: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
Biometrics notice received: 02/09/2018 (day 32)
Biometrics appointment: 02/23/2018 (day 46)
Received 18-month extension letter: 08/13/2018 (day 209)
ROC Approved: 03/09/2019 (day 425)
Card Received: 03/16/2019  (day 432)
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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
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Norvegian has same, I had 2 checked bags, 1 bag pack as carry on and personal bag where I kept things like phone, my BIG envelope, documents, wallet and etc. And if talking about food, I'm glad I didn't bought dinner on board, the one they served for 25£ didn't look very appetising. . I just made some chicken salad and didn't starve during the flight. Overall I like Norvegian, because they offer really nice fares, and it was quite good, knowing it's budget flights.

Ah I did not know that. Good to know thank you! :)

Agreed. Great chocolate, marzipan, great bonbons, fruit based sweets...that is the only thing I am missing.

That and proper licorice! Like salty licorice. I've only been able to find soft licorice that has been imported from Australia which is really good but not the same as I'm used to...





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Georgia16 Mentor

Georgia16   2,858

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Denmark
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Ah I did not know that. Good to know thank you! :)

That and proper licorice! Like salty licorice. I've only been able to find soft licorice that has been imported from Australia which is really good but not the same as I'm used to...

You can buy our candy in the Scandinavian online store :) I just a bit expensive

Edited by Georgia16

 

 

 

 

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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
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You can buy our candy in the Scandinavian online store :) I just a bit expensive

Sadly the shipping costs makes it not worth it :( IKEA helps a bit but they don't really import the stuff I want because they're adapting after what Americans would actually like.





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Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,527

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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My Genius.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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