Moving to a new country is an exciting journey, but the packing can be overwhelming. When moving internationally, it’s important to start packing early and pack only essential items. You wouldn’t want shipping costs to eat up your budget or spend on excess baggage fees, so pack only the most important things.

In this blog, you will find a packing list for moving abroad, including what to pack and what not to pack for an international move.

Packing List for Moving Abroad: What to Pack When Moving Abroad

Essential items such as documents and clothing are things you should pack for your international move. Here’s a list of what to bring when moving abroad.

1. Important Documents

This may be the most essential item on the packing list for moving abroad. Make sure to bring all important documents, from your passport to your birth certificate. You will need documents to prove your identity, for employment, or for any other purposes as you begin to live in your new country.

Important documents to pack include:

• Passports and visas

• Flight tickets and itinerary

• Marriage certificate

• Birth certificate

• Medical records

• Diploma and Transcript of Records

For added security, it is better to have photocopies of your important documents. You can also consider digitizing your important documents. Additionally, it’s better to keep important documents on hand rather than put them inside your luggage.

2. Clothing
   
   

   

Another important thing to include in your packing list for moving abroad is clothing. You can start by packing clothes you know you will wear frequently. You should also keep in mind the country you are relocating to and consider the weather. 

For instance, if you’re moving to a country where it doesn’t snow, then you can leave winter clothes behind. Moving abroad can also be a good opportunity to declutter and decide which clothes to keep and bring to your new country and which clothes to give away. 

There is no need to bring clothes and shoes that you won’t be wearing. So, sort your clothes and bring only the ones you’re sure you will wear. And remember, pack just enough. Don’t pack too many clothes.

3. Electronics

Electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, adapters, power banks, and chargers are important items to bring abroad. You will need these devices to communicate with family and friends and navigate your new home. Also, don’t forget to bring other items such as cameras, headphones, and external hard drives.

4. Toiletries

Now, you shouldn’t pack large-sized toiletries or too many toiletries. Toiletries are readily available to purchase in your new country, but it’s better to bring toiletries for the first few days of your move. It’s practical to have a basic set of toiletries prepared for immediate use upon arrival in your new country.

This will save you from having a rushed trip to the store for toiletries. When packing toiletries, go light. Just bring essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant.

5. Medications

It’s good to bring a supply of prescription medicine, as it may take some time to find a new doctor in your new home and get refills or a new prescription. Additionally, make sure to bring essential medication for headaches, cough, or fever. If you’re someone who has trouble flying or suffers from motion sickness, pack the necessary medicine.

6. Sentimental Items

There may be items that mean so much to you and are difficult to let go of. These can be photographs, books, heirlooms, or any other item that brings you comfort. You can take sentimental items with you abroad. If there’s not enough space in your luggage, consider international shipping services.

Packing List for Moving Abroad: What NOT to Pack for Your International Move

Generally, things that are replaceable, prohibited, or dangerous are things you shouldn’t bring to the country you are relocating to. Here’s a list of what to leave behind when you move abroad.

1. Home Appliances

Now, there’s no need to bring your TV, kitchen appliances, or any other large appliances. You will be able to buy these appliances abroad. Additionally, these items are expensive to transport. Consider selling your home appliances before you relocate to your new country.

2. Bed Linen

Sheets and pillows can take up a lot of bag space or space in your shipment. You can also purchase new sheets and pillows when you get to your new home. So, unless the blankets, sheets, or pillows are sentimental items or are meaningful to you, it is better to leave bed linen behind. You can consider donating these items before you leave.

3. Restricted or Prohibited Items

Each country has different rules for what you can import into the country. So, check the rules of the country you are relocating to and make sure not to pack restricted or prohibited items.

4. Hazardous Items

It’s important not to pack hazardous or dangerous items such as flammable liquids, toxic substances, matches, aerosols, and explosives. Hazardous items pose a high risk of accidents. Your international shipper can advise on what items cannot be shipped.

5. Replaceable or Duplicate Items

You shouldn’t pack duplicate items or items that can easily be replaced. You want to pack light as much as possible, bringing only the most essential things to your new home. So, there’s no need to bring extra sets of utensils or dishes or multiple electronics or gadgets. Just keep in mind that there’s no need to bring things that you can easily buy at your new home.

6. Things You “Might” Need

Now, when packing things for moving abroad, make sure to distinguish what you actually need and what you might need. If you have items that you have never even used in your current location, then there’s no need to bring them to the country you are relocating to.

As mentioned earlier, moving abroad is a good opportunity to declutter, so get rid of items you no longer need and pack only items you’re sure you will use at your new home.

Final Thoughts on Packing for Moving Abroad

It’s important to include only the things that you need in your packing list for moving abroad. Pack only what you need, and not things you might need. Pack just enough items and not too much (for instance, don’t pack too many clothes).