So, you’re moving abroad and you don’t know what to pack. We think it’s safe to assume that you’re not a professional international mover, otherwise you wouldn’t be here reading our blog. And that’s okay! That’s what this blog is all about. It’s a massive undertaking to figure out what will make the cut when you’re packing for your new life in a new country. This becomes even more of a challenge if you’re flying to your new destination and cramming your life into just a few checked bags and a carry on.
Hopefully we can ease your stress because we’ve been in your shoes, had these same thoughts, and worked through the panic and mayhem. You have so many things on your to do list and even more to figure out as your departure date approaches. What do you pack and what do you leave behind? The question isn’t, “how much stuff can I take?” But rather, “what items do I actually need?”
Moving Abroad
Moving “abroad” means you’re moving to a foreign country. You’re travelling thousands of kilometers away to a destination that is completely new to you. With so many thoughts jumbled around in your brain and emotions running through your body, it can be a lot to handle. Coming up with a “Moving Abroad Packing List” is probably the last thing on your mind.
Starting a new life abroad can be both exciting and stressful, but knowing what to pack and what to leave behind will be the key to your packing success. We’re here to help you make the packing process easier and more efficient. To get a more clear idea of what you should be packing, we have come up with the
Ultimate Packing List for Moving Abroad.
Moving Abroad Packing List Considerations
The first thing to consider is the length of your time away. If you’re moving away for 3 months, you need only a fraction of your items versus moving away for a couple of years or even permanently.
The next step in moving abroad is understanding where exactly you’re going to be moving to. The items you may need to pack will depend on your final destination. Of course, we already know you’re moving to a new country, but which country is it? Are you moving somewhere with a warm climate? Or are you moving to the arctic circle
Now, for the moment we have all been waiting for. I present to you, the Moving Abroad Packing List!
Essential Items When Moving Abroad
Travel Documents:
- Passports
- Personal ID
- Travel/Working visa’s (depending on the country, the application process may take months to process)
- Legal documents such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate (depending on your new destination, the original documents may be required as not all countries accept photo copy’s)
- Insurance policies
These essential documents should be the first thing you pack as these are critical to your move. Without these important documents, you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon unfortunately. We recommend you pack these items in your carry-on bag in a folder in a large Ziploc to keep them protected and waterproof. That way, they’re not only in a safe place, but they will be with you the entire time.
Personal Items:
- Personal electronics
- Cell Phone
- Medicine
- Travel adapter or converter
Electronics:
Be sure to pack your cameras, laptops, headphones and portable battery pack for those long travel days. It is always nice to be able to take some pictures along the way as well as having some good entertainment on those long flights.
Cell Phones:
Don’t forget your cell phones or smartphones! Depending on where you’re moving to, you may need to purchase a new sim card with a new cell phone number. Your current cell phone plan may not allow you to send international sms text messages or make calls to your friends and family members back home. It’s always best to check with your current mobile phone carrier and the cellular phone information on your current plan to see what features are and are not available internationally. Without knowing, you may end up with additional service provider charges. You can always call customer service if you’re unsure.
You can also look into e-sims if your phone supports them, as they are a great alternative to physical sim cards.
Medicine:
Packing your prescription medication is a must, but aside from that, it is also a good idea to have some basic medical supplies as well. This might include band-aids, ibuprofen and an antacid. Depending on your personal medical history and whether you have an underlying medical condition, you may even consider bringing a copy of your medical records.
Travel Adapters and Converters:
Because you’re moving to a different country, you may be required to purchase a travel adaptor or converter. These are especially handy because without them, you may not to be able to use the same electronics you’re bringing from your home country. Different countries, and different continents have different electrical outlets. So be sure to purchase the correct adaptor for your move abroad.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards and Cash
More commonly than not, you’ll run into a situation where you’ll need to purchase something along your travels. Having multiple payment options is great as you never know what form of payment a merchant may accept. Having a couple different credit cards or debit cards ready for international travel and some cash in the form of the local currency is a must! You never want to be in a situation abroad where one of your cards is declined and you don’t have access to your bank account.
It is also worth noting that some credit cards provide travel insurance which is an additional benefit when you’re moving abroad.
Clothing and Shoes
We get it! You love your clothes, and it might be hard to decide on what you want to take as you’ve accumulated these clothes throughout your entire life. But there is no doubt, clothing always takes up the most space in your luggage.
Being in a new city, in an unfamiliar country always has its challenges when preparing what you should pack. It’s always encouraged to do a little research on where you’ll be moving to in order to get an idea of the climate and the kind of weather you can expect to experience. Your new destination and relocation date has a huge impact on what kind of clothing you’ll be focused on bringing with you.
When it comes to shoes for example, if you’re moving to a tropical paradise, flip flops might be all you need. But if you’re moving in the middle of winter to a colder, snowier climate, warm boots may be the better option.
Because luggage space is typically limited, only bring the clothing that you can see yourself actually wearing.
Depending on the country, it might be even cheaper to purchase new clothes when you arrive. (Note: this may not be the case if you’re a taller person moving to an Asian country where the sizing typically does not accommodate for Western body sizes).
Toiletries
Having a toothbrush and toothpaste is always important. When it comes to toiletries, the best tips we can provide you with are, unless you have specific brands or items you find difficult to find on a good day, it’s a better idea to purchase your toiletries in your new home country. Most everyday toiletries can be found anywhere around the world so don’t worry too much about bringing every last toiletry item as it will just take up too much space. It’s better to save that space and the weight for items that aren’t replaceable.
Feeling Homesick?
Moving abroad has many challenges. It’s a long time to be away from home, dealing with a potential language barrier, and even culture shock. You’re missing your best friend, your family, and maybe your favourite food! But we want to tell you, it’s completely normal to feel a little homesick after making an overseas move like this.
Your first week is going to be tough, but keep in mind, after a couple of months you’re going to be settled in and feeling even more comfortable. One of the things we recommend in bringing to your new home is sentimental items. Something that’s going to remind you of home and reassure you that everything’s going to be okay.
Now that we have gathered all of the essential items, it’s time we pack!
How to Pack
When it comes to packing, there are several different options when moving abroad.
If you’re moving an entire household, sea freight may be your best bet. This will no doubt be your best option to accommodate the large number of items you’ll be taking with you. But if you’re moving on your own or just taking the basics, you won’t need too much space. So packing a few suitcases or pieces of luggage will be sufficient. A great way to save space in your luggage is to use vacuum bags or packing cubes. Any amount of space is beneficial and you will want to pack as efficiently as possible.
Benefits of using vacuum bags or packing cubes include:
- The ability to remove excess air and compress the bags. Not only do you remove all of the unnecessary air that’s taking up space in your bags, but you’ll ultimately be able to fit more things into your luggage.
- Ability to organize your items per cube or per bag. This is extremely helpful when you’re unpacking. Not only is it easier to sort items into categories, but you’ll find it quicker to find things rather than having everything thrown in one large compartment.
- Protects your clothes. Having your items packed within another bag adds another layer of protection.
Items To Avoid When Moving Abroad
The best way to avoid paying any excess baggage fees is to only consider bringing the most necessary items. Items such as family heirlooms or fragile items might be best to leave behind. Common sense says, bringing these types of items is always a risk as they may get permanently lost or damaged.
Consider renting a storage unit as this is a great way to store these items safely.
Your Luggage
You will require 2 types of luggage when flying and moving abroad.
Carry-on luggage is the luggage you will be bringing with you on the plane. Depending on the airline, your carry-on luggage can weigh a maximum of 8kg. It’s always best to check with the airline and confirm the maximum weight and size permitted. Typically, it has to be able to fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. We recommend bags with lots of compartments for easy access to items in the airport or mid-flight.
Checked luggage is the luggage you will be giving to the airline staff at the check-in counter to deal with. This luggage will then be placed in the cargo hold of the airplane and will not be accessible until you reach your new location. Typically, the maximum weight of checked luggage is 24kg, but to avoid any last-minute additional fees at check-in time, be sure to check the size and weight limits of the luggage you’re allowed with your chosen airline ahead of time. Most of the time, paying for additional bags or oversized bags before you arrive at the airport is cheaper than paying at the counter. Luggage straps are a common add-on to checked bags. They wrap around the suitcase to provide some additional rigidity and protection as they get thrown around the plane. This can prevent the zipper from tearing open and keeps your items safe in the bag rather than falling out on the tarmac.
If you’re looking to purchase new luggage, read more about the luggage we recommend below:
The Best Hardside Luggage Sets
Well, it’s official! You are now a packing professional!
It’s time to put these useful packing tips to good use!
With our years of experience traveling, we hope this moving abroad packing list has helped with your international relocation without having to pay for those expensive packing services.
We think you’re ready for your big move and for your new adventure! We know international moving is hard, but if you follow this packing guide, you should have enough time to get everything together before making your long distance move.
Good luck and happy packing!
These are the essential packing tips for moving abroad. If this packing guide was helpful, download the FREE Moving Abroad Packing Checklist below!
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