What to Bring vs. What to Store (an opinion)

Dishwashers: Store them. Dishwashers can pose problems due to the high level of calcium in the local water. Many people use good quality machines successfully when they use water softeners and rinse agents. German dishwashers are better. They have a filter system and built in water softener dispensers. If you are going to move into MTV or PHV, most stairwell units normally include dishwashers in the kitchen areas. If you are going to live on the economy, one will be loaned to you from the Army at no charge.

Washer/Dryer: Store them. Ignore any information that suggests you bring them. Machines built for the German electrical current are available through the Quartermaster issue. Your American model might be fancier, but it will cost to have it converted, and using it on a transformer will shorten its life span. Also, German washers only have a cold water intake, therefore, the unit must heat its own water; while American washers have both hot and cold water intakes. If you bring yours, you may end up washing only with cold water. You may find that your German washer cleans the clothes best anyway. If you live on MTV or PHV the older stairwells have community laundry rooms, and the new renovated stairwells have washer/dryer units in each apartment. If you live on the economy, a washer and dryer will be loaned to you from the Army at no charge.

Lamps: Bring them. Quartermaster/Housing lamps are scarce and not the most stylish. A simple adapter and a German light bulb (both available at the PX) are all that are needed to convert.

Curtains: Store them. The opinion here is divided. An explanation may help you decide for yourself. German curtains and drapes are hung from the ceiling, not from the wall. German curtains are therefore longer than average American curtains. American curtains can be easily adapted for use buy sewing a special hanging tape to the upper edge of the curtain. The only difference then is that the floor length of American drapes (about 80") will be approximately 1-2 feet off the floor as German curtains are about 92". You can use a flat, not fitted, twin or double bed sheet to make curtains that are the perfect length. Drapes that hang on Germany style rods are supplied to all quarters. Germans have beautiful sheers that can be purchased in all price categories.

Rugs: Bring them. Bring all that you think you will need. The housing rugs and carpets are not the best. Also, the housing/quartermaster issue is limited to two room sized rugs. Most stairwell apartments will have hardwood floors, and homes on the economy have hardwood, tile and carpeted floors. Note that the carpeting is not plush, and the floors are very hard. You can purchase rugs/area carpets from the PX furniture in Mannheim for reasonable prices. Note catalog stores will not ship their largest rugs overseas addresses. Check with them for details. You can also buy beautiful area rugs over here, be they German, Turkish, or Belgian, and the prices on some of them are more than reasonable.

Beds: Bring them. Double beds are scarce, and smaller than the American style double beds. If you are over 6ft tall, you might hang over the end. Note that your king-size mattress will fit perfectly across two twin-size quartermaster/housing beds. Cribs are not available through quartermaster/housing, but may be purchased from the PX or Thrift Shop.

Sewing Machine: Bring it. You will find you don’t have a lot of choices in the PX, as to clothing, women and children. Teens like the economy shopping, as styles are "in".

Small Appliances: Many people store 110-volt appliances and buy 220-volt appliances here. Other people use their 110-volt appliances with transformers. It is not advisable to bring high value appliances (kitchen center, etc.) as operation on a transformer can reduce the life of the appliance. Most on-base housing has both 110 and 220 voltage.

Clock Radios: Store them. The radio part will work with a transformer, however the clock part will lose 10 minutes per hour because German electricity is 50 instead of 60 cycles per minute. Of course, battery operated clocks and radios are fine.

Storage Space Items: Bring them. Bring any shelves, bookcases, chests, or hanging racks that you think you might need. There are no built in closets in private rental housing.

Unique Items: Bring them. Bring any items that make your home, your home. Pictures, knick-knack’s and other items that make your home unique. Since all of us depend on quartermaster/housing furniture to some extent, our furnishings are very similar. You will probably want to bring small items, which will give your home a distinctive flavor.

Entertainment Items: Bring them. Bring any special serving dishes or other items/equipment you use often, china glasses, silverware, etc.

Recreational Equipment: Bring them. Bring bikes, tennis racquets, golf clubs, etc. Recreation facilities, both German and military are available.

Clothes: Germany’s weather is constantly changing. Temperatures in the summer are 60-85 degrees and the nights are cool. Winter temperatures can be around freezing. There is little snow in Heidelberg most winters, however we can be and have been fooled a time or two. If you like snow, there is plenty nearby, up on the mountain. There is definitely lots of rain, but you learn to keep going no matter what the weather is.

Shoes: For people with hard-to-fit feet (very narrow or long - for women size 11/11W or larger and men size 12 or larger), bring several pairs of shoes and an address for ordering more from the States.

Store Catalogs: Bring them. Bring your favorite store catalogs, or at least the address with you. Catalogs can be ordered from Germany. Don’t forget addresses for your special interest catalogs. Your local ACS Office has JC Penney and Spiegel Catalogs and order forms, for your convenience. NOTE: Not all catalogs/stores will ship to an APO address, especially larger items. HINT: Credit cards are easier to obtain before leaving the States.

Over the Counter Drug items: Items such as specific brand names can be hard to find. Make sure that you have some method of ordering or obtaining hard-to-get products from the States. Also, your favorite cosmetics, perfumes, cologne, etc., may not be available here, as the PX carries only high profile, high cost items in this line. Occasionally, you can find some of the name brands on the economy, at a lower cost.

Family Records: Bring them. Bring all of your important family records such as IRS records, business records, insurance records, etc. Make sure your executor knows where to locate a copy of your will.

Furniture: Quartermaster/housing will furnish the following furniture upon a need only basis: upholstered sofa (1) and chairs (2), dinning room table (1) and chairs (4), china cabinet/buffet (1), lamps (2-3), beds (1 per couple, and 1 per child), night-stands (1 per person), shrunks (1 per person, 2 per active duty member), dressers/chest-of-drawers (1 per person), etc. The furniture provided, although functional, is old and not very fashionable.

Televisions: Bring them. You can bring your television or buy another one here, at the PX, but it’s best if you pick up a TV on sale in the States, as the prices are a bit high on this side of the ocean. U.S. TV sets can be used with a transformer, or converted to 220 volts. U.S. TV sets will receive Armed Forces Network (AFN), which has 4 channels now, depending on where you live. AFN is only receivable if you live on, or very near, a government housing area. U.S. TV sets will also receive American cable service (10 channels) which is available only in government housing. U.S. TV sets will not receive German broadcast or cable channels. If you want to receive cable or Satellite TV, you must have a multi-system television. Multi-system televisions are available from the PX, which will receive both the American and German programming.

Hold Baggage: This is a shipment of air-freight to Germany, packed out and sent in time for it to arrive within 35 to 45 days of shipment. Check with your transportation office for the proper weight allowance. Make sure that you are under your weight allowance so it will be airfreighted. Heidelberg Army Community Service (ACS) has a Loan Closet with items you will need upon your arrival, such as irons, ironing boards, dishes, pots and pans, silverware, toasters, etc., until your hold baggage arrives. The Thrift Shop is another source of temporarily needed items. If you will be living on the economy, it is best to use 220-volt appliances in the kitchen, as some are not equipped to handle the power, even using transformers, of the American appliances. You can pick up many of these items at the Thrift Shop or on the economy. As stated earlier, shopping on the economy can be fun, especially if you use your tax relief form to have the 16% taken off of your purchases. Below are some of the things people include in their hold baggage.

v Broom, dust pan, mop and/or vacuum
v Dish towels, bathroom towels and bed linens
v Books and/or hobby items
v Toys and other items that your children would like
v Some of next season’s clothes in case household goods are delayed and the weather changes
v Uniforms--Bring what you think you’ll need with you, in your accompanied luggage. The rest you can put in hold baggage. Be especially careful if you are moving around the holiday season, as you might need dress blues and evening dresses. Be advised that specific Air Force uniform items
can only be purchased at Air Force Bases, i.e. Ramstein AB. It may be a good idea to order
nametapes, USAF tapes, and rank (blue) before arriving in country if they are or will be needed
v Baby furniture such as a crib, playpen, walker, etc. High chairs and car seats are available for loan from ACS, located at the Heidelberg Shopping Center, Bldg 3850, 2nd floor, Rm 258.
v Hand tools. Hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, etc. Especially recommended are some cement nails to hang pictures.

The following items are available for temporary loan from ACS, but some people prefer to ship their own items in the hold baggage shipment.

v Some dishes, flatware, glasses, pots, pans, baking dishes, measuring cups/spoons
v Small appliances – toaster, iron, and coffee pots.

You should ensure that the following items are NOT SENT VIA HOLD BAGGAGE, as the possibility of damage is greater in a hold baggage shipment than in a household goods shipment.

v Nice china, crystal, etc.
v High value items, i.e., stereo, TV, VCR, large CD changers & players
v Antiques or any other items with monetary or sentimental value which could not be replaced
v Any other breakable items.

SUGGESTION: Insist that your various pickups be on separate days so that the household goods shipment, storage, and hold baggage shipment do not get confused. Moving companies and sometimes even transportation offices will pressure you to do otherwise. INSIST THAT PICKUPS BE DONE ON SEPARATE DAYS!!!!!

THINGS TO DO WHILE STILL IN THE STATES. Acquire and handcarry all of these documents:

v Marriage Certificate
v Birth Certificates for all members of your family. Birth certificates are necessary for all schools
and child care centers
v Passports for all members of your family
v Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance and civilian insurance policies, or a list of companies, policy
numbers, types of insurance and business addresses
v Previous discharge papers, all divorce decrees, death certificates and annulments pertaining to
any prior marriages
v Immunization Record
v Adoption papers, if applicable
v Armed Forces Identification Cards for all family members
v Citizenship papers, if applicable
v A minimum of three (3) copies of serviceman’s Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or
Temporary Duty (TDY) orders
v Property and automobile titles, deeds and registrations
v Copy of Wills. The Legal Assistance Office can help you in this regard
v Copy of application(s) for allotment(s)
v Names and addresses of all companies where you have open or closed accounts
v Report cards for school age children. School transcripts, as these are necessary for job
applications or continuing education
v Saving and checking account books and appropriate mailing envelopes
v A minimum of three (3) current (within three years) copies of Power of Attorney, if applicable
v Household goods and shipping and storage documents
v Hold baggage documents
v Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) shipping documents
v Port of Call papers
v Medical records for all members of your family
v Social security cards for numbers for all members of your family
v Complete military address of service member
v International driver’s license. Needed for travel to other countries. You can also immediately rent a car if you have an international driver’s license issued in the States. Remember, an international
driver’s license is NOT valid in the country it was issued.

THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO STOCK UP ON

The supply of many items in the PX is usually limited and quickly exhausted, (if they are even available at all). Therefore, if you can anticipate a need for any of the following items, you may wish to bring extra supplies in your household goods.

Children’s clothing and shoes. Supply is always depleted in two to four weeks prior to the clothing season. German clothing and shoes are high quality and can be expensive, if you do not look in the right places. Catalog orders from the States can take from several days to several weeks, depending on the Company you order from. There are very large sales on the economy at the end of summer and winter seasons, and you will be able to find everything you will need at 50% off or more.

Adult shoes. Supply is not dependable and is limited in style and sizes. If you wear a large size, bring catalogs of your favorite shoes, both men and women. Also if you have children in sports, requiring special shoes, buy several pairs as the PX rarely, if ever, have sport shoes at reasonable prices, not to mention the size you need.

Children’s books. Limited in selection, and those available at the Bookmark are very expensive. If you know of any specific books that you will want for your children, you might wish to bring them with you.

Catalog order houses will not ship large items to Europe. If it’s big and you want it, buy it now and ship it.

Special stationary or other paper supplies.

Prescription drugs or other medication. Bring the medicine – not the prescription. Get the prescription filled just before you leave, and try to have a 3 to 6 month supply, as it may be a while getting a medical appointment at the hospital clinics. Prescriptions are not honored from one military medical facility to another. Make sure you have enough to last, for a while, before you leave. DO bring copies of eyeglass/contact prescriptions.

Craft supplies. These are available in very limited supply at the PX. Bringing craft catalogs is very helpful. You may also be able to find what you need on the economy, as the German culture is very much towards craft items.

Sewing notions. Parts are sometimes available for the Singer and Pfaff machines only, from the PX.

CARS: Ship yours or buy one here. These are your two options. The following is some information to help you decide.

New models of American and European cars should present few problems. Repairs should be at a minimum and parts will be more readily available. You will also want to be sure that the car you bring over, if that is what you choose to do, is in tip top shape, as the repair cost at AAFES is unbelievably HIGH. You will find that in most cases, it is much more cost effective, to have any and all repair work done on the German economy, as using the TAX RELIEF form will automatically take off 16% of the bill, and after that reduction, it is almost always, lower than the AAFES garage charges. You do not have to worry about a catalytic converter as unleaded gas is plentiful, and the ONLY gas available today, as leaded gas has been discontinued in Germany.

Older and large models. Do not ship a car to Germany with the intention of selling it here and buying a new one to ship back. For more information, check with the MP customs, 370-8998.

It has been said that the AAFES garage can only repair American cars, but as stated earlier, that is simply NOT TRUE. Service at the AAFES garage is very limited, at best, and parts, particularly, for older model cars, take up to 4 months to special order and receive, through AAFES. You will find in the Service Directory of the Stars & Stripes (local European American Newspaper) and the Herald Post (Base Newspaper) listings for parts suppliers in the States, and here in Germany, who can have parts delivered within 3-5 working days.

Although large cars may be nice on long road trips, small cars are more convenient and easier to handle in Germany because of the narrow streets and small parking spaces. Many of the Americans, and now Germans, have mini-vans, and do quite well. However, these vans do not do well in the parking garages. These garages are built for small German cars. Just be aware of possibilities.

Tools for self-servicing are limited in supply. There are several auto-craft shops in the military community, here in Heidelberg & Mannheim, so if you have your own tools; you will have a place to work on your vehicle.

Tax-free gasoline is a rationed item in Germany. Most car owners can purchase up to 400 liters (approximately 100 gallons) a month. Prices fluctuate with the change in the Deutschmark to Dollar exchange rate. At the current exchange rate ($1.00 = 1.9 DM), rationed gas costs about $1.80/gallon. Unrationed gas costs about $4.50/gallon. If your car is a "gas guzzler", beware.

Buying a used car in Germany is an alternative. These cars, which are mostly third or fourth-hand, are usually plentiful and inexpensive. However, you should be prepared to spend some time and/or money on them.

All cars must pass a very RIGID and thorough inspection before they can be registered to operate. Malfunctioning parts, excessive body rust, any frame rust, or worn tires are not tolerated. Only buy a used car that is guaranteed to pass this inspection.

Any necessary repairs can be made at the AAFES garage or local German garage, or on your own at one of the local Auto Craft Shops.

Parts can sometimes be found at local craft shops by stripping abandoned vehicles. Parts catalogs are often very useful.

Buying a new car in Germany

American make cars are for sale from AAFES representatives. These cars can be shipped to and from Germany at government expense, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY USED THE SHIPPING ENTITLEMENT. You will also find several new and used American car dealers on the economy. Just be sure you have your Tax Relief form in hand when you visit them.

European model cars can be purchased from local dealers. These cars must be converted to U.S. specifications if you wish to bring it back to the States with you. Normally, you cannot ship these cars back to the States at government expense. If you buy a new car from a German dealer you do not have to pay the 16% value added tax.

Final Notes

Car insurance in Germany is mandatory. There are two types of payment schedules. NATO tariff and German tariff. The two rate systems are based on totally different factors. NATO tariff, much like the American system, is based on the driver’s age and marital status. German tariff is based on the car’s horsepower and the driver’s record. It is impossible to tell before you get here which tariff will be cheaper for you until your arrival. If you have a good driving record, bring a statement from your current insurance company stating how many years of accident-free driving you have accumulated. This statement will help if German tariff insurance will be cheaper for you. CHECK WITH YOUR CURRENT INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE MOVING TO SEE ABOUT INSURING YOUR CAR DURING SHIPMENT.

There are several automobile service clubs, like AAA back in the States, available to motorists in Germany. They are very helpful in case you have an accident or a breakdown, in the city or on the autobahn. You should look into membership when you register your car.

PETS. Whether to bring or leave the family pet is another difficult decision to make. A few important facts should be considered before making the decision.

Housing Problems

There is a limit of two pets per set of government quarters. Additionally, government quarters are stairwell housing which means your apartment may be on the third or fourth floor. Animals must be personally accompanied to the designated walking area. THE ANIMAL MUST BE ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES WHEN OUTSIDE THE OWNER’S LIVING QUARTERS.

There is a high incidence of rabies in Europe and therefore the Germans have a very strict leash law. Many pets, particularly large dogs, which need a lot of exercise and attention, would find this a very uncomfortable life-style.

Although pets are allowed in government housing, many German landlords will not allow pets, especially large dogs. Since housing is already scarce, bringing pets can complicate finding housing.

Transportation of pets.

You must have a valid world health certificate by a veterinarian issued no earlier than 10 days before the flight. Your post veterinarian can give you more information.

If you are traveling via a MAC flight, you will have to arrange to have your pet on your orders and you will have to pay a fee.

If you are traveling via commercial airlines, you may ship your pet as extra baggage. Airlines have pet containers for rent or purchase.

Unless you have your housing situation arranged before you arrive (which is unlikely) it would be best to send back for your pet after you arrive.

Other arrangements can be made by contracting a pet service to handle the transportation of your pet. Be sure to meet your pet’s flight promptly. Facilities for caring for your pet at the airline baggage terminal are poor and you might have to pay excessive charges if they must retain custody of your pet for even one hour.

Local Pet Care

Registration of all pets with your local military veterinary clinic is required within 10 days of arrival.

There is only limited veterinary care available on post.

German kennels can provide boarding services when you travel. There are no American kennels.