Moving to US - taking food in the shipping container

[CielBleuEtNuages]

We will probably be moving to the US before the end of the year. I have a million and one questions but right now I'm wondering if we can food in the shipping container that will be moving our clothes etc. to the US?

I know shipping takes 4-6 weeks, so I'm thinking:

OXO cubes
Biscuits
Chocolate
Marmite
Nutella
Apple sauce (it's from France & usually has long dates)

Basically, anything to cheer us up in the first few weeks whilst finding our feet.

Yes, we're hoping the HR will laugh at the boss' timing and calm things a bit. Apart from anything else we have our August holidays booked plus a trip back to the UK in October booked that we dont want to miss!

The relocation package will be good and will include schools. They knownthat French schools are a must. DH is a director and earns a lot. If the package isnt good enough then we just won't go. But they are very keen on him going so I think we can negotiate. We're not too fussed to be honest. Its purely for the career move. We're both home bodies and would love to stay where we are.

We’re in Chicago and there’s a French school here with a good reputation, there’s small discount for being actually French too. Maybe something to investigate once you know where you’re heading? And we have an excellent local bakery that does a baguette that is almost as good as what you typically buy in France- it’s certainly good enough to keep French DH happy! Our visas were about a 3 month turn around time but it can depend, August isn’t completely unrealistic but if the paperwork hasn’t been filed yet it’s probably not going to happen quite that quickly. In the meantime I’d chill out on the plans to import mass quantities of marmite
Good luck with the move!

Discount for being French sounds good. As does a decent baguette. And the 3 month visa turnaround! Lol

I think our visas were only a month but the company had pre approved status of some kind.
I don't love US food. We bought a bread machine.
But apple sauce and Nutella you can buy plenty of.
You aren't allowed food or drink in the shipping crate.

I sent loads of food in our shipping container, but that was about 15 years ago.

The company should allocate you a relocation agent, they will show you the schools and houses. I would pick the school first and then work out the house from there.
Make sure you have a full copy of dc's vaccinations with you, we couldn't register for our school without them.

Shipping takes 4-6 weeks? I was told a similar time scale. The reality was different. Moved here in December 2016. Stuff was put on the ship day after Boxing Day. End of April I finally was able to pick it up after it was released by customs.

wow that is, ummm, a very long time!

Our shipping took 6 weeks I think.

For schools here is a link to AEFE - agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger
It should give you an idea of the schools available and the fees - and the discount for children of French nationals.

I wouldn’t worry too much about food but I’d make sure you take your favorite shampoo and soaps.

www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement

Thanks

What is AS mumsnet ?

We moved to Westchester, north of New York, a year ago. Have had a few visitors and they always bring 600 Yorkshire tea bags and a few catering tubs of Marmite as we get through a lot so would be expensive here. Nutella easily available. I get British digestive biscuits (plain and choc) from most supermarkets, also squash for the kids easily found in the European sections. Sourdough bread and baguettes are fine but I wouldn't buy the sliced here as it's strangely sweet.
There's a french school near us in Mamaroneck which has a friendly community. Friends seem very happy there. 40 minutes commute to NYC.
Our air shipment turned up a week or so after we arrived, then the sea shipment was available about 6 weeks later. We weren't moving into our house for a couple of months though, so they stored it all for us until we were ready. I think a few cans of food did make it in as the packers just emptied all cupboards but I wouldn't choose to bring anything in case it held up the shipping.

Just checking you've found the BritishExpats US forum ciel,. That is a goldmine of information.

Scarus - where will I find the BritishExpats forum please - desperate for info on my impending move to Southern California but only had a couple of answers. I know so little I don't even know what to ask! Been reading other threads for info and found your reference.

@Figleaf sry didn't seem your question till today - the British Expats moving to the US forum is here:
britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/

You can search the history, lots of people have headed to Southern California, or start your own thread.

Thanks Scarus xx

I always laugh at people who travel overseas with loads of food. Like you cannot buy food in the USA....

mycatismeowican I know, it's odd, back when we first lived in the USA 18 years ago there was a lot I missed, cheese, tea, non-sugary bread, marmite etc. Now there's nothing you can't get here, the local supermarket even has hobnobs, winegums, jelly babies and twiglets.