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The Must-Have Packing List for Moving Overseas

8/25/2023

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Moving Overseas: Packing and Shopping Lists to Guide Your Move; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel and Lifestyle Blog
The Must-Have Packing List for Moving Overseas
Preparing for an overseas move is a multifaceted endeavor that demands meticulous planning and thoughtful organization. Packing for such a journey entails more than just filling suitcases. Each item chosen carries the promise of a new adventure while requiring strategic decision-making to ensure a smooth transition to a foreign land. In this intricate process, striking a balance between sentimentality and practicality is key, as belongings become not only a reflection of one's identity but also the building blocks of a new life abroad.

Read on to see a complete packing list for moving abroad, as well as a list of items to purchase once you arrive at your destination.


Things to Pack With You:

Moving Abroad Packing List: Clothing and Personal Items; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel and Lifestyle Blog
Clothing and Personal Items

Clothing and Personal Items

​I highly recommend packing a capsule-style wardrobe. When I travel, I choose one base color and two complimentary colors and pack only clothes in those colors (ie. blue with pink and gray or black with gray and yellow, etc.) and then pack three to four pairs of shoes that match all of the clothes.
  1. Pants/Jeans (6-7, depending on climate)
  2. Shirts/Tops (7-8 that can be layered, with a mix of sleeve lengths, depending on climate)
  3. Shorts/Skirts (3-4, depending on climate)
  4. Dresses (3-4 casual everyday + 1 dressy, if applicable)
  5. Sweaters/Jackets/Coats (1-2 of each, depending on climate)
  6. Underwear and socks
  7. Sleepwear (7-8; a mix of sleeve lengths and shorts/pants)
  8. Comfortable shoes for walking
  9. Formal shoes
  10. Sandals (depending on climate)
  11. Winter boots (depending on climate)
  12. Rainboots/Wellies (depending on climate)
  13. Raincoat and/or umbrella
  14. Slippers/House Shoes/Flip Flops
  15. Swimwear (1-2, if relevant)
  16. Hat, Scarf, and Gloves (for colder climates)
  17. Sunglasses
  18. Prescription glasses/contacts (if applicable; I recommend getting new ones right before you leave)

Toiletries

  1. Toothbrush and toothpaste
  2. Shampoo and conditioner (if you have a very specific kind you always use, make sure it's available in your destination country; if not, plan accordingly; also keep in mind that in many countries, 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner products are popular and separate conditioners are difficult to find)
  3. Body wash or soap (limit this to what you will need immediately upon arrival; you can always purchase more as needed)
  4. Deodorant
  5. Razor and shaving cream
  6. Hairbrush/Comb
  7. Hairdryer or straightener (check voltage compatibility; these may be easier to purchase when you arrive)
  8. Feminine hygiene products (if applicable)
  9. Personal medications and prescriptions ​(if applicable; at the very least, I would plan to take your OTC pain killer of choice, some heartburn medicine, an OTC tummy medicine, cold medicine gel caps, and your favorite allergy medication)
  10. Make-up and jewelry (if applicable)
  11. Sunscreen and hand sanitizer

Electronics

  1. Smartphone and charger
  2. Laptop or tablet
  3. Power adapter/converters (if needed for different plug types)
  4. External hard drive or USB flash drive
  5. Headphones/Earbuds
  6. Camera (if desired)
  7. Portable power bank
  8. Smart watch or Fitbit (or a regular watch, if preferred) 

miscellaneous

  1. Health insurance information
  2. Travel documents (passport, driver license, visa, student ID)
  3. Cash (a small amount in both your home country's currency and your destination country's currency)
  4. Credit/debit cards
  5. First aid kit
  6. Small sewing kit
  7. Detergent pods/packets (or purchase when you arrive)
  8. Flashlight or headlamp
  9. Rechargeable batteries and charger
  10. Photos from home and other sentimental items (especially if you will not be returning home for the holidays, take one or two holiday items with sentimental value)
  11. Consider taking a few holiday items for holidays that are unique to your home country (ie. The U.S.'s Thanksgiving or Independence Day), as it can be fun to host a party for your local friends to celebrate your home country's unique holidays
  12. Small backpacks or day bags for outings
  13. Overnight bags for weekend getaways
  14. One medium purse and one large purse in neutral colors (if applicable)
  15. Books, if you are a reader (if you are moving to another English-speaking country, you may consider taking only a couple of books with you and sourcing more from charity shops and book stores when you arrive, or make the switch to only e-books)
  16. Favorite (small) toys, stuffies, loveys (if you are moving with small children)

Things to Buy When You Arrive:

Moving Abroad Shopping List by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel and Lifestyle Blog
Moving Overseas Shopping List

Furniture, Kitchen, Dining, Bedding, Linens

Unless you are going to a country where Western things like this are not readily available, I recommend purchasing most of these items when you arrive. Though you may want to bring a favorite blanket (especially for kids, if applicable) or coffee mug, for the most part, these items are expensive to ship, heavy and bulky to carry, and fairly easy to replace. If you're trying to stick to a budget, source these from charity shops or go the IKEA route (or a combination of both).
1-2 per person:
  1. Pillow, pillowcase, and sheets set
  2. Bed frame and mattress
  3. Blanket or comforter
  4. Bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth
  5. Reusable water bottle​
1 Set per family:
  1. Food storage containers
  2. Cutlery
  3. Plates and bowls
  4. Glasses
  5. Coffee/tea mugs and travel mugs
  6. Cooking utensils
  7. Pots and pans
  8. Coffee maker or kettle, and any other small kitchen appliances you find helpful
  9. Television and stand (if needed)
  10. Sofa and/or lounge chairs
  11. Dining table and chairs
  12. Decorative items (wall hangings, vases, lamps, etc.)
  13. Book shelf or other shelving unit
  14. Side/end tables for both bedrooms and shared spaces
  15. Laundry basket(s)

A Few Additional Notes:

I am not including anything for pets in the packing list. If you are moving overseas with a beloved pet or pets, please make sure you include items for your furry family members as well. Things like canned and/or dry food (at least enough for the first week or so), special treats, a crate or soft travel bag, a favorite bed and/or blanket, favorite toys, and collapsible food and water bowls are essential to pack with you. Once you arrive, you can always add a new special toy and more durable food and water bowls for your furry friend(s).

This list also does not include things for hobbies. If you are a knitter and have a favorite pair of knitting needles, or you are a gardener with a favorite pair of gardening gloves, take them. Yes, you could probably replace those things, but they are small and special, so pack them!

Obviously, if you are renting a furnished apartment, the purchasing list will be greatly diminished.

If you already know someone in your destination country whom you trust to procure the necessary items that you'll need right away (things like beds and bedding and some basic food items, particularly), your transition will be much easier. If not, it may be wise to plan to spend the first few nights in a hotel or B&B so that you have time to acquire the things you need.

Of course, before packing, check the baggage allowance and any restrictions imposed by the airline.

Research the climate of the host country and plan accordingly. Does it rain nine months out of the year? Is it warm even during the winter or will you need true winter clothes?

​Also keep local clothing customs in mind. Is it customary for women to keep their shoulders and knees covered?


Don't forget to bring essential personal items, such as favorite snacks, that might not be readily available in your new location, but remember that you are moving abroad in order to enjoy new experiences and embrace a new culture.

Packing and Purchasing Checklists for Moving Abroad

$1.99 $1.00

Download your must-have packing and purchasing checklists for your move overseas!


This is a two-page digital PDF file.

Download it Now!

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    Carolyn 
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    The daughter of an English teacher, Carolyn has been an avid reader and writer from an early age.  She decided to chronicle the exquisitEXPLORATIONS journey through a travel and RV lifestyle blog, full of RV-related tips and stories of their travel adventures. As a mom and dog mom, her focus has shifted slightly to include both pet-friendly and kid-friendly places to go and things to do.


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