Digital BW, The Print

Hi guys, I'm back in Australia till mid August, then am flying back to the mid-
east. I want to buy a R800 while I'm here, get profiles etc, then take it back 
with me. Problem is that taking it as cargo makes me think that there's going to 
be a pretty nasty mess at the other end - even after removing the cartridges, 
there'll still be ink in the lines, and the low pressure plus freezing 
temperatures...?
I've talked to Epson here in Australia, and they "don't recommend it", but said I 
might be lucky. Yeah, OK.
Has anyone had any experience - good or bad - or ideas on how to manage 
getting a 'used' printer O/S, and still having a working product at the other 
end? Any help appreciated, thanks.
Alex