Seeking Advice on Mail Forwarding & Electronics

[dwmartin11]

Hi
I will be moving to Singapore from Australia in a couple months. It will likely be a temporary move of 3 years or so. I'm just starting to make arrangements for move now and starting to have questions. Does anyone have answers?

Has anyone had any experience using Aussie Mail Man mail forwarding service? It sounds interesting but was wondering if it might be more secure to ask a friend to receive & forward mail.

Have you had any particular problems using appliances etc. moved from Australia to Singapore? I know the plug configuration is different but aside from a plug converter or having an electrician switch the plug are there any specific issues with using electronics? It would be easier to get rid of things before shipping them if it is likely they won't work properly.
Thanks!

[nakatago]

Have you had any particular problems using appliances etc. moved from Australia to Singapore? I know the plug configuration is different but aside from a plug converter or having an electrician switch the plug are there any specific issues with using electronics? It would be easier to get rid of things before shipping them if it is likely they won't work properly.
Thanks!

Normally, no, except for some specialized items. You need to match the frequency (60 vs 50 Hz) but since I personally never had to, I don't know if Singapore and Australia are the same or different (you can look them up as a personal exercise). Even then, this is usually for high-power appliances.

There are other considerations as well (e.g. how well your thing would handle the humidity or TV systems) but could you list the items you were thinking of bringing?

[Strong Eagle]

Singapore and Oz voltage and frequency are the same. No issue with Oz appliances in Singapore... just add a different plug or buy good quality adapters.

[dwmartin11]

Thanks for prompt responses. Some of the things I was debating bringing were Stereo receiver, wine fridge, fans, drill, hairdryer, blender, espresso maker, blender, dust buster, lamp. Some of our bigger items like washer & dryer, fridge etc. we won't take since we don't know if we may end up getting a partially furnished property that would include them anyway. Some items that I'm pretty confident they should work fine without problems like printer, router, etc. I plan to take & just get a new cord/ or adapter. I had read that most items should be fine with only changing plugs / adapters but hate to go to bother of moving something that could be an odd exception that I just didn't know about. Thanks for suggestions.

[BBCWatcher]

Just check the Singapore Infocomm Development Authority's Web site to see what's required (if anything) to import communications equipment such as a wireless router. Technically you might need permission and/or have to declare such equipment. If you don't want to bother, repurchase such equipment after you arrive.

[Strong Eagle]

Just check the Singapore Infocomm Development Authority's Web site to see what's required (if anything) to import communications equipment such as a wireless router. Technically you might need permission and/or have to declare such equipment. If you don't want to bother, repurchase such equipment after you arrive.

They only do that because the equipment has to be certified for having the correct channels. But, Singapore is like the rest of the world (except North America) so it won't make any difference. I wouldn't bother declaring a bog standard router.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

[dwmartin11]

Thanks for the link on info about router etc. From skimming the link it seems it should be the same range of frequency etc. that is allowed in Australia and Singapore. I'll take the declaring bit into account but it seems like it would be approved.

[ecureilx]

Just check the Singapore Infocomm Development Authority's Web site to see what's required (if anything) to import communications equipment such as a wireless router. Technically you might need permission and/or have to declare such equipment. If you don't want to bother, repurchase such equipment after you arrive.

TAS/IDA approval for consumer products have been removed years ago, like 10 years plus ago. .

And Australia is part of the ITE or ITU or whatever convention and hence, approval is not needed, even if it is a telecommunication product, unlike before when even firmware upgrades had to be submitted to TAS for approval.

In any case, if you sign up for a Broadband plan, a router is always provided, unless you insist you don't want it

[x9200]

In any case, if you sign up for a Broadband plan, a router is always provided, unless you insist you don't want it

Note though that these routers may have their firmware altered to the liking of the provider.

[BBCWatcher]

Check IDA's/Customs' Web site for the current rules and requirements, if any. That's all. Nobody knows precisely what you're planning to bring into Singapore, so let's just send you to the official information.

By the way, IDA is also sometimes concerned about radio frequency power output, not only frequencies.

[Strong Eagle]

By the way, IDA is also sometimes concerned about radio frequency power output, not only frequencies.

Again, bog standard consumer routers are universal the world over when it comes to power output. Why wouldn't you be declaring your smartphone as well, as it is capable of acting as a wifi hotspot? Or your laptop, as it, too, is capable of being a wifi access point?

[x9200]

Check IDA's/Customs' Web site for the current rules and requirements, if any. That's all. Nobody knows precisely what you're planning to bring into Singapore, so let's just send you to the official information.

By the way, IDA is also sometimes concerned about radio frequency power output, not only frequencies.

If he uses a non-standard equipment (or firmware that can allow non-standard power) he should be aware of potential issues. As usual it's about common sense - if we take into account what may be of concern to the customs then the list is much longer than you suggested. For example, how about potential firmware IP issues and environmental compliance of the materials used (i.e. in PCB)?

[BBCWatcher]

Again, bog standard consumer routers are universal the world over when it comes to power output.

Your assertion is factually incorrect. ERIP (power output) limits vary across regulatory domains. (At least Cisco believes they do since they publish a table listing the varying regulatory limits, and Cisco probably knows something about networking.)

That said, for 2.4 GHz consumer grade wireless routers the ERIP limits for Australia and Singapore appear to be identical. But...refer to the official information, please. That's all, that's enough.

[ecureilx]

your smartphone as well, as it is capable of acting as a wifi hotspot? Or your laptop, as it, too, is capable of being a wifi access point?

Exactly.

I need to write to IDA and ask them to certify the China phone I bought in Philippines, and the Wi-Fi repeater i picked up in Malaysia

IDA is not kiaisu like the past years.

[Strong Eagle]

That said, for 2.4 GHz consumer grade wireless routers the ERIP limits for Australia and Singapore appear to be identical.

That's what I said... in fact, I referred specifically to the word 'consumer'.

Commercial wifi access points are a whole 'nother case.