Not sure if Wrye has covered it in his responses, but any type of electrical equipment you simply plug in at home is a no-no here. US has (as far as I know) 110V while over here it's supposed to be 220/230V (give ot take). A flatscreen will fry in an instant and so will a printer or PC that operates on 110V. Another (possible) difference is that here they use 60Hz. Not sure what is used in the US, but be careful. Transformers (for cellphones etc) and other electrical machinery will have a shorter lifespan if they are made for 50Hz.

 

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.

**********

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?

**********

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.

**********

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.

**********

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