There can be a lot of boxes to tick on your moving checklist when relocating, especially when that relocation is overseas. With flights, visas, and personal matters to tend to, packing is often something that can be easily forgotten about, or left unplanned. Getting a packing strategy in place during the planning stages of your move can help to alleviate some of the stress that comes with last-minute tasks. Even more-so, knowing what to pack will no doubt speed up the entire process.
What to Pack
It can be tough to decide what to pack and what to leave behind, so use this handy guide as inspiration when it comes time to make your own packing plan.
Documents
Arguably the most important thing to pack is your essential documents and paperwork. This could include visas, flight confirmations and tickets, banking details, drivers licences, and personal information, as well as relevant educational certificates. We recommend having a digital copy of these available on your phone or laptop, and a physical copy of documents you may need immediately upon arrival at your destination, like visas.
As these contain personal information, it’s best to keep documents and paperwork in your carry-on luggage for extra safety.
Currency
If your next home uses a different currency to where you’re coming from, you should get some cash that you can have to hand when you arrive. While you can use debit or credit cards in most major cities now, going to town on your card in a new country could be flagged as suspicious by your bank. If this happens, your card may be frozen, in which case, you’ll want to have cash handy for the necessities until the issue is resolved.
Medical essentials
If you take any medications regularly, you should pack enough of these in your carry-on to see you through at least your first couple of weeks in your new home. You should also include the relevant prescriptions in case border control is interested, but bear in mind that pharmacies in most countries will require a local prescription to dispense any medications.
Don’t worry about stocking up on standard over-the-counter medicines before your move, as you’ll be able to buy these when you get there.
Must-have toiletries
Like with your medications, you’ll probably be needing your go-to toiletries from the day you arrive. Having these packed and ready will be great to get you started, but don’t get too carried away.
Toiletries can add up in weight, and can leak and burst in the aeroplane luggage hold, so don’t get too carried away when packing them. Remember, you’ll probably be able to repurchase most of these in your new home, or order them online, so stick to packing the essential ones only.
Tech equipment
Phones, laptops, eReaders, and other electronic devices are expensive to buy, and expensive to replace, so we recommend packing these types of items to take to your new home with you. You should also get some adapters so you’ll be able to use them as soon as you want.
When it comes to other electronics, only take things that will work at your destination. Hair tools, for example, work based on voltages, and the power supplied by outlets varies in some countries. For example, a hair dryer purchased in Australia may not receive sufficient power to function from American outlets. On the other hand, a hair dryer purchased in America and used in Australia may be supplied with more power than it can handle, which can lead to damage and electrical risks.
Appropriate clothing
When you’re going through your wardrobe and deciding what clothes to bring, think about what will be useful in your new home. If you’re packing to relocate overseas to somewhere cold, you’ll need clothes to keep you warm, or clothes to keep you cool in a warmer climate. It’s also wise to consider if there will be a cultural change, in which case you could pack more culturally-appropriate or conservative clothing. If you find you’re running out of room in your luggage, packing cubes are a great organisational and space-saving solution.
Don’t get too caught up in shopping for new clothes before you go, as you’ll probably have plenty of time for that as you settle in and explore your new surroundings!
Sentimental items
Moving overseas can be a big adjustment, and it’s normal for it to take a while to settle in. Something that many expats find makes this easier is taking some sentimental items with them, and belongings that they can add to their new place to help make it feel like home. This could be decor, packable art pieces, or your favourite blanket from home. If it will help you to get comfortable in your new place, it might be worth sacrificing some clothes in your suitcase to make space.
Sentimental items that are fragile or likely to be damaged in transit are probably best left at home, both for their sake and yours.