FROM USA TO DUMA - MAKING AN ELECTRONIC LIST

GREETINGS!

I am creating my list of computer and electronic equipment and supplies to bring with me to Dumaguete.

I am all ears and elbows to get what I need before I arrive, so I can get set-up quickly and be ready to roll.

Background:

Will attend University for three years.
I will be allotted 7,000 USD value exemption of customs import tax

Will have HIGH need for:

1. Computer connected to high-speed cable/internet (if possible)
What work-arounds will I need if I cannot get or have to share internet?

2. Latop and thumb drives -same issues - same question as above.

3. Printer and ink - Do I even need to buy here in the States or can this wait?

4. All peripheral equipment needed to avoid getting them "fried" and dusty and anything else.

5. MagicJack - anything needed to go with this?

Of lesser importance, but would sure be nice to have:

6. Flat screen TV

7. OTHER????? Smart phone? I-PAD? Tablet? Something else?

QUESTIONS:

1. What types of peripheral equipment is needed:

besides surge protectors and battery back-up for computer, laptop, and printer. What else (no matter how trivial or small)?

What types of equipment specifications do these things need to have in order to be usable?
For example: What kind/type of transformer or step-down?

What is/are the ideal and best features to have in order to make sure those piece of equipment will work well and LAST a long time?

What to avoid?

QUESTION 2:

2. I've read FLATSCREEN TVs are expensive in Dumaguete. Should I consider including one into the mix on this customs tax waiver?

If so, what do the specs on the TV need to have so it works properly and LASTS a long time?

QUESTION 3:

Is there ANYTHING ELSE (no matter how trivial or small) not mentioned that I should know about?

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What I'm trying to do here is bring the electronic gear that may cost less here in the States and bring it with me so as to keep my Dumaguete "start up" costs down. Why pay more for an item in Dumaguete when I can get it here, right?

Of course, I'm ASSUMING I'll actually receive this trunk of stuff without it going "missing in transit", and that this trunk of stuff will arrive undamaged and be in perfect working order.

So how real is that scenario?

I'm making my list so I can buy a little bit at a time - watch for sales, etc.

Thank-you for your time and for your most thoughtful replies. Much appreciated!

V/R,

nwlivewire

 

Thank-you for posting all this information.

As you may have gathered, I am not a computer nerd. Just your everyday, baseline end-user/abuser.

So anything you write about this topic, PLEASE assume I have a simple, basic knowledge level.

Because that's the truth of where I am with this.

So thread poster, please include all basic information, no matter how small, or trivial it may seem to you.

Believe me, you'll help me and others who may pass upon this thread.

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I am NOT shipping a container to the Philippines.

Since I'm only going to be here for three solid years, I simply cannot justify the costs.

HOWEVER, what I was thinking of doing is the following, and need some serious input with this idea.

Or any other recommendation you have that could work.

I'm thinking:

IF I buy a foot locker or two (three at the most), then I wonder if I can fly those footlockers with me when I arrive to Manila to begin the Courtesy SRRV process?

I know I'll get hit with excess baggage charges from the airlines.

But I wonder if I can get them into the country without having to pay additional taxes on them, too?

I'm just coming with a couple of suitcases, so it's not like I'm coming with a lot of stuff like a rock star.

Is this possible to simply bring two or three footlockers with me as extra baggage and get them through customs without having a big deal made over them and getting taxed to death?

Remember, when I get off the plane in Manila, I won't as yet have my Courtesy SRRV and it's tax waiver.

I'm just trying to figure out a "work-around" for this kind of scenario if this be the case.

I'll for sure have a better "chain-of-custody" on these footlockers by flying them with me, too.

What's the real deal on this piece of the puzzle?

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I'm not an Apple user, so everything coming over will be the regular MS and non-Apple stuff.

I'm planning on getting a GoPro Hero4 and some extra stuff for this video camera. It's a very small and versatile piece that is light weight, and easy to carry/use.

If the GoPro can do what I think it can do, then this will eliminate the need for still photo camera/equipment and open up space in a footlocker for this 2-in1.

Salamat!

V/R,

nwlivewire

 

I brought a 23 inch Samsung TV with me last year from the UK and it is still going strong. In the UK we have 230 volts and 50hz, the only thing that wound not work is the sowing machine, because that's 50hz and PH is 60hz, devices that have a motor will run slower.

 

I think you are over planning this. You will be living in Dumaguete long term, so get here with as little as possible and build up when you get here.

I'm a horrible person to ask though. I don't even have a TV. I'm using mobile data for my internet. I think a laptop and a cell phone are the only digital devices you need - get them when you get here.

I don't bother with surge protectors. I probably should, but work from many different places where I can plug in. I'm not going to lug a surge protector with me. I would rather just keep my stuff well backed up and my devices cheap to replace.

My next system probably won't even be a laptop. I'm eyeballing cheap Windows tablets with keyboards attached. MS has the Surface 3, but local cell phone providers have their own cheaper versions.

As mentioned, lugging a bunch of stuff is a pain. Find your apartment / house before you bother with bringing anything but the basics here. Then just get those items shipped or buy them here.

Personally, I didn't plan much at all. I had no idea what I was doing. I had a ticket into Manila and nothing more lined up than that. I had a laptop, backpack and small suitcase.

If I were to do it again, I would have just got a bigger backpack and left the suitcase.

 

Dear Wrye83:

WOW! Great ideas!

I will look into Johnny Air for sure! This sounds like an ideal set-up. I get the things I need while in the States, pack it in footlocker(s), leave them with friend, and then fly to Manila to get the SRRV.

As soon as I get the SRRV with the tax waiver papers, then I have my friend send the footlocker(s) to Johnny Air and they ship to me.

GREAT idea! I'll see what I can do to get ahold of them to see how to do this. They have a location in San Francisco, which is where I'm planning on flying out of.

No schlepping trunks to hotel in Angeles, Dumaguete and on and on. I SURE wasn't looking forward to that

Will make sure all tags are removed from new items before packing.

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I'll fly into Manila, but go directly to PRA about 1 1/2 hours N/NW of Manila - Angeles City. I'll be in a "hold pattern" up there until PRA completes their process with me.

PRA said 30-45 days -which seems ridiculously long considering the tourist VISA is only good for 30 days.

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I thought the GoPro to be handy when I'm in the water. I like to fish and snorkel. Don't know how to scuba dive, but willing to learn how. And some of the GoPro accessories will leave my hands free so I don't always have to hold it while filming. I can strap it to almost any part of my body (chest, helmet, forearm, etc), and could even strap it on the back of a dog or an elephant if I wanted, too. It can also be attached to cars, boats, bikes, trains, bobsleds - that kind of stuff for motion filming.

A still camera will have to come later. But a still camera is always a very handy thing to have.

nwlivewire

 

Yes but then with the Visa waiver you get to 59 days. After that, you can Extend every 2 months for up to 3 years. So bags of Time.

JP