What do you wish you had stocked up on from the USA before coming?

[I wish I had known....]

Moving to Singapore and wondering what we should be buying in the USA to bring over. I know any larger sized clothing & under garments, shoes and simple tee-shirts.
If you could do it again, knowing what you know now, what would you have bought from the USA before moving over because it's either far more expensive (like strollers) or hard to find in Singapore? I assume TV/DVD should be bought locally? Many thanks for the feedback!

[texasmom2008]

Grape jelly!!

[Grill!]

Gas or charcoal grill -  whatever your preference. They are both stupid expensive here. If you think you want a new mattress for your bed, get it there as well. Another stupid expensive item here. Exercise equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes, weight machines, etc. are also way overpriced.

[Singin09]

As a PP mentioned, any sports related items. Shoes, (dress shoes for the office are typically at least double the price here and the range and sizing is very limited). Tex mex food, tortillas typically cost about S$8 for a small pack.Otherwise, you can get most items here (either in specialty shops or ordering online), you just have to be prepared to pay for them.

[expatica]

Not sure if you are bringing beds or not...but Asian beds are approx 20% smaller (in length) than what you are used to.

I bought some cotton/bamboo blended sheet sets from Target (own brand). Bamboo is good as it resists mold and great for this climate.

I also went to T J Maxx and Marshalls for cotton quilts (comforters/duvets are too hot for Singapore, even the lightest/thinnest ones from IKEA were too hot for us and we have air-con on when we go to sleep). 

Ovens are small in Singapore....my roasting pans are too large and won't fit! If you bring baking sheets etc. only bring the smallest sizes!

Coleman coolboxes are much cheaper in the US - bring one with handle and wheels! Along with a barbeque don't forget the tongs and other accessories.

I also went to Costco and bought new saucepans...they're very expensive in Singapore...Le Creuset cast iron ones are super-expensive here!

[vitamins, benadryl spray]

vitamins are very expensive, also stock up on  benadryl spray and off.  Oh - also - spray suntan lotion.

[Waste]

Spray on sunscreen is a waste. Half of what you spray out ends up in the air and not on the person. Great way for Coppertone to make more money because you end up having to buy more sooner than if you just bought a tube of cream.

[stuff n things]

Excedrin Migraine pills!

And they don't sell Swiffer products here, so if you like to clean with them, stock up.

As someone mentioned, they sell most things that you can get in the US, but just be prepared to pay a lot more.

[Learned the hard way...]

Almost everything!  I kid.  I've been here for about a month, also from the States.  What I wish I knew prior:  1) Medication.  They have it here, but apparently they are not as effective (ie. excedrin, cold medicine, etc) 2) Clothing.  If you are into brand names, buy them in the States before coming here.  3) If you shop online - get them shipped home before coming here.  If any eComm site do not have retail stores/branches here, you will be charged an arm/leg for shipping.  I'm sure there are more...but it's what I've learned so far...

[was shocked]

Tampons!!  I'm from the UK but was shocked to find out they dont really have much options here in tampons (as the locals dont tend to use them) and they are quite expensive, luckily I have a friend who comes over frequently who keeps me stocked up.  Also I think the insect repellent here is rubbish so again I get it from home.  One last thing, had I known I could bring in meat and cheese I definately would have - you can get most things here but some i.e. bacon doesn't compare to UK standards.

[DB]

I would suggest that you don't rush past the duty free store, you can bring one litre of alcohol in (don't quote me on that).

[to "was shocked"]

Are you for real?
I read lots of interesting stuff in here but never read that local women do not use tampons, how ridiculous is that ?
Where do you live ? Probably in a $$$$ condo full of 50++ post-menauposal expat wives !!

I'm laughing at my desk now, that's hilarious Please post more like this, I have 10 more mins to kill before my next meeting!

[Shocked too!]

Tampon use among more traditional Chinese women is still rare.  Outside of the main cities in China it is a nightmare trying to find them.  It's only in the last month that Watsons in Shanghai have started to stock them so, no, nothing to do with hanging out in post-menopausal circles - it's true.  Having said that, Cold Storage, Watsons and Guardian all stock tampons in Singapore but the range/choice is somewhat limited.

[clearly...]

Are you for real?
I read lots of interesting stuff in here but never read that local women do not use tampons, how ridiculous is that ?
Where do you live ? Probably in a $$$$ condo full of 50++ post-menauposal expat wives !!

I'm laughing at my desk now, that's hilarious Please post more like this, I have 10 more mins to kill before my next meeting!

You don't have much to do with women, do you?

Expat women OFTEN comment on this when they arrive here. Asian women do NOT generally use tampons, so it can be very difficult to find decent tampons. Even when when you do find them, the two brands that are stocked are outrageously priced.

[And...]

I wish someone had warned me before I traveled to Vietnam. Can't find ANYTHING ANYWHERE!  I can imagine rural China's the same.

Will second the PP - for tampons you've basically got tampax and ob, both expensive.