Moving country & taking PC with me in parts-would like opinion

pintree3 · 11 Jul 2015

I'm moving overseas and to make a long story short if I take my PC as is I will need an extra box, making this my 4th piece of luggage means an additional $300. It occurred to me however, that if I take it apart, and leave the box/case here then I could put all within my box. What do you guys think of this?
I would pack each piece in bubble rap, then possibly envelope it with my clothes as extra cushioning. Then once there buy a new box/case and place everything back
Any suggestions/comments? Do you foresee problems I may not have thought of--Problems either in the transportation or in the reassembling?
[in case you're thinking y not buy a new pc once there: 2 reasons licenses for software owned and money.]

Layback Bear · 11 Jul 2015

Placing computer hardware in luggage might cause a customs problem.
I would check that first.

Ranger4 · 11 Jul 2015

I suppose you could do it that way, but you are likely to be asked a lot of questions at airports as to what is in your baggage, metal objects etc. will show up on the Xray machines & you may have to unpack to show them what it is.
How much is a new case going to cost where you are going.
Might be worth looking at the cost of sending it separately with one of the express delivery services.

Mellon Head · 12 Jul 2015

At the very least, enclose the components in anti-static bags before putting them in the bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is notorious for generating static electricity, which will negatively affect your components.

I agree with Ranger4 on sending it separately by a courier of some sort.

pintree3 · 12 Jul 2015

Oh OK. Exactly the answers I was hoping for I thank you all very much. I had forgotten about the static thing and hadn't even considered customs being a problem. As to why not send it separately: I looked into it and It would cost too much and then, more importantly, would guarantee problems on arrival once there.

If anyone can come up with other things please let me know. This has been wonderful.

Indianatone · 13 Jul 2015

Or you can do what I did when I moved from England to Indiana. Ship your software ahead of time with misc stuff well packaged and tracked. I brought my memory, hard drive and other bits and bobs with me on the carry on. This was before 9/11. I was searched and they looked in my bag and just said you could lose the HD at the USA end as they might seize it to check for nasty stuff. At the USA end they did not even look in my carry on bag. Whatever you do do not pack your favourite cheese in your suitcase, looks like plastic explosives. Better to have it on carry on. If you are moving country it is going to cost you whatever you do. Here in the USA computer parts are cheaper than in the UK.

Nedly · 13 Jul 2015

Bringing documentation regarding the computer and(or) it's parts would help as well.

MeOnMine · 13 Jul 2015

[QUOTE=Mellon Head;3107162]At the very least, enclose the components in anti-static bags before putting them in the bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is notorious for generating static electricity, which will negatively affect your components.

I am pretty sure this is Universal, but if your bubble wrap is pink in colour then it is antistatic.
However putting it in antistatic bags is a very good backup approach.

Sorry to some of you great people for the way I spell the word "colour"