Things to bring and what not to bring, when coming to Britain from the Philippines

K plans to visit the dentist before coming here - good idea.

Now, with 30kgs each for K and for her seven year old boy, plus 7kg each hand carry, total 74 kgs, what to bring?

Comments on these suggestions very welcome.

I have suggested that she should bring:

Nice dresses, and shoes, jeans, tops, underwear

Child's underwear

Coats, jackets, boots, scarves, hats, gloves, jumpers are all better bought here.

Children's clothes and shoes about the same in both places?

Excellent advice regarding keepsakes and photos, Oss, they are easily overlooked.

My wife gave nearly all her clothes away to her neices and sisters before coming here.

I thought she was being generous but now realise she only wears any item of clothing once anyway!

Bagoong, Mang Tomas, Katinko... Kidding!

Aside from the essential documents, those garments and foot wear you mentioned.

I suggest she doesn't bring much clothes because most of her clothes would probably be suited for the Philippine weather anyway. From what I've heard, the UK is in for a cold winter. Just buy her new ones.

I'm just going to bring with me my business attire, track suits, some shirts and shorts, pyjamas, underwears, slippers, a pair of formal shoes and a pair of trainers. I'll try to keep it as light as possible. I'll buy more attire when I earn my first pay-check.

New country, new life, new clothes...

It's good to start of fresh.

Don't forget all the visa application stuff, Kaye will need the majority of it for your first FLR once you are married.

I have consulted my ex wife, who confirmed Kaye's idea that dried fish and tamarind paste would be worth bringing, along with children's underwear, and who requested that Kaye bring the sort of plastic bag used for making ice in the freezer in the Philippines, which is different to the English kind!

Strikes a chord with me.
Especially when it come to shoes.

Before relocating we shipped a full Balikbayan Box full of shoes. I noticed many had not been worn and still had the price label.

I'm told that underwear in UK is not only far superior in quality but also cheaper.
La Senza have unbelievable Xmas sales.

My wife was still buying 'child' size clothing even just before she left UK. Many shops with great childrens clothing at good price.

I'm no expert but Philippine clothing is pretty well suited to the Philippine climate means not many times of suitability in UK

Food for thought.

Now that is a top idea. I think those bags are brill.

2okgs of dried fish is allowed into UK ........if you wish

If you're going to live in Newcastle or Sunderland, it's fine to wear those shorts, T-shirts and high heels in -5 C on a windy Saturday night.

(In London, this may also apply to the men ).

All seems sensible. I would definitely encourage her to not bring too many bright colored thin dresses. We focused on sentimental items and things that could not be replaced.

If she has boots - tell her to wear those, rather than put them in a suitcase and wear multiple layers of clothes - planes are colder than the Philippines climate.

Also, as it can be very cold for a Filipina on a plane, they need to bring a warm cardigan, sweater or coat for the journey, and wear jeans not a dress.

A pile of Filipino CD's (taken out of the jewel cases) as they are as rare as hen's teeth in the UK.

My knowledge is a bit limited on flights but if you wear multiple layers you can always remove some if necessary.