What to Pack to Move Abroad

Move enough and you’ll think that you’ve got the process down pat—that is, until you set your sights further and decide to move internationally. Figuring out what to pack to move abroad is a balancing act between what you need, what you want, and what you can feasibly bring along based on your moving logistics and budget. And it can definitely seem overwhelming to start.

Downsizing your belongings is a good idea any time that you relocate, but it becomes really important when you need to pack to move abroad. The more boxes that you need to ship the more expensive your move is going to be, and it can also be a pain to deal with a lot of stuff when you’re trying to settle in to a new country.

Your best bet when you pack to move abroad is to take a careful inventory and to be selective about what makes the trip with you. Below, we’re sharing some of our best tips for packing to move overseas, with lots of helpful takeaways that you can use to narrow in on what stays and what goes. Here’s what to know.

Things to consider when you pack to move abroad

Before you start packing for your international move you’re going to want to get in the right mindset. If you simply approach the packing process from a standpoint of what you’d like to have with you in your new home country, you’ll probably end up bringing too much along—and regretting it later on.

So instead, ask yourself a few key questions to put your move into context and set some boundaries for how you’re going to pack (and how much).

How long are you going for?

You’d be surprised to learn what you can live without if you’re just moving abroad for a semester or other short period of time. If your move is a temporary one, leave the sentimental items at home and stick to the basics. If, however, you’re packing for the long haul, you’ll have a longer packing list to deal with (though you’ll still want to be discerning in terms of what constitutes a necessity).

What is your moving budget?

Moving abroad tends to be quite expensive, and that’s even before you get to shipping costs. The two most common ways to ship items overseas are sea freight and air freight, and the price of both goes up the more belongings that you have. Before you start packing, figure out which shipping method is preferable based on timing/logistics and cost-efficiency, and from there, how much you can afford to bring. If you opt for air freight, you’ll likely have a pre-set limit, whereas with sea freight you can technically pack more but you’ll end up with a much bigger price tag for a full, personal container than you would for a shared container.

Note: Even with necessities, there may be a lot of items that are cheaper to buy new overseas than to ship. Take this cost factor into account too when setting your packing limits, particularly when it comes to large items like furniture and small, bulk items like toiletries.

What is your lifestyle going to be like in your new country?

Are you going to be working or going to school? What is the climate like? Are there rules and customs that dictate what sorts of items you might need and what you won’t? Your answers to all of these questions are key to separating must-haves from not-worth-its—and trust us, the more you can take off your “must pack” list, the better you’ll feel in the long run. Consider as well whether there are any items that you simply can’t bring with you because they’re illegal to import into the country you’re moving to. That list should be a short one, but it’s a crucial one.

How much space will you have in your new home?

Living spaces tend to be bigger here in the States than they are abroad. If you already know where you’re going to be staying, then you should have a clear idea of what you’ll be working with in terms of storage and square feet, both of which play a major role in what you can realistically bring. And keep in mind that you’re going to be acquiring things at your new home too, all of which you’ll also need space for. Plan on giving yourself room to grow, instead of bringing so much stuff that you’re filled to the brim before you even have a chance to settle in.

What to bring on an international move

While we’ve been focusing a lot on minimizing your belongings when you pack to move abroad, it’s just as important to talk about the things that you’ll definitely want to make sure to bring along. Here are some of the biggies.

    • Important documents. Make sure when you move internationally that you keep all of your important documents on hand, including your passport, birth certificate, and visa information, as well as any relevant medical and insurance documents. These items should be brought in your carry-on, since you don’t want to risk them getting lost in transit.
    • Medications and other health items. You definitely don’t want to find yourself in a new country and unable to access the items that you need for your health. Pack any necessary medications (in your carry-on, if possible), and try to secure more than a month’s supply in advance.
    • Clothes and shoes. Okay, so this one is probably pretty obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Do plan on bringing enough clothes to get you through about a month, but beyond that trust that laundry and shopping will be sufficient to sustain you—both of which are likely to be cheaper than shipping boxes of unnecessary clothing. As for what makes the cut, if it’s not your style or your size, if it’s not appropriate for your new country’s climate or culture, or if you haven’t worn it in at least a year, leave it behind.
    • Electronics. Pack your personal computer or phone, since these are items that it doesn’t make sense to replace. Pack chargers too, of course, and be sure to pick up an appropriate outlet convertor or two in advance so that you have those ready to go.
    • Sentimental items. Packing to move internationally doesn’t have to mean leaving everything behind but the bare necessities. If you’re moving abroad long term, it’s perfectly okay (and even recommended!) that you bring along some items that help you feel grounded and connected to your family and home, just use your best judgment and only bring along the things that are truly valuable to you in this way.

    Other items—think furniture, home comforts, and general items of interest—you should decide on a case by case basis. This is where the cost of shipping versus the cost of buying new will really come into play. It’s also possible that some items will be provided to you, such as if you’re moving into a furnished apartment.

    Moving abroad with pets? Make sure to take all of their needs into account too when packing, and plan well in advance so that you know what to expect in terms of transport, pet import rules, and other essentials. We’ve done a quick overview of how to get started on all of that here.

    How you pack to move abroad isn’t all that different from how you’d pack for any other sort of move. Aim to take less instead of more, and remind yourself that most things can be easily replaced—or are easy enough to live without.