What You Need to Know about Shipping Appliances

What You Need to Know about Shipping Appliances

Shipping appliances doesn’t always make sense, but sometimes it is the best option. Before you can make an informed decision about whether or not you should include your appliances with the household goods you are shipping overseas, you need to know a few things. ‘Appliances’ is a broad term that can include anything from your freezer to your toaster or hair straightener, and people often forget to think about the smaller details when talking about shipping appliances.

First and foremost, different places have different electrical wiring systems and different electrical sockets. In Ireland, we use 230v supply voltage and 50Hz. Our plugs are type G, which is also known as a 13amp plug. The United Kingdom, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore and some of the countries in the Arabian Peninsula use the same plug type and a supply voltage between 220v and 240v. Other countries, including many in Africa and Asia, use the same plug type but different voltages. It is dangerous to plug appliances into a socket with the wrong voltage even if the plug fits.

Before you can decide about shipping appliances overseas, you need to research the electrical standards of the country where you are going. This is confusing in some countries, particularly those in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia, because more than one system can be in use. Whether you ship your own appliances or purchase new ones there, it is always wise to consult with a qualified, registered electrician to ensure your appliances are appropriate to your home’s wiring.

It is also important to understand the difference between adaptors and converters. An adaptor simply allows you to plug your electric item into a different shape of socket. This is not safe if the voltage is different. A converter changes the electricity going into your electric item. In many cases, you need both, and dual adapter/ converters do exist. Again, for your safety, please consult with a local electrician.

Should You Send Appliances in Household Goods Shipping Overseas?

Generally, it makes little sense to ship a cooker or washing machine. Models that work here don’t work in the USA or Canada, for example, and you can easily get new ones there. But if you are packing a container for shipping to the UK, you might want to include your washer, dryer, fridge freezer and electric cooker if they are in good condition, as well as smaller appliances.

Other situations merit more consideration. What if your appliances would work there, and they would be difficult to replace locally? While shipping large appliances is rarely the best option, smaller ones are a different story. What if you just really want to have the convenience of your kettle or hair dryer and these aren’t household staples in that part of the world?

As a general rule of thumb, if you are going for a finite period of time and it is safe to use an adaptor/ converter, it makes sense to bring small electric appliances that you use regularly. It very rarely makes sense to ship large items such as a fridge or washer unless you are shipping to the UK.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestEmail