(2 x 23 Kgs + 8 Kgs) List of Things to pack for U.S.
By HSB
I have created list of items to carry for students who are traveling for first time. I did search for list of items to carry form different Indian Students Association’s website, but its not updated to clearly say what things to buy in U.S. and in India.
If you have specific questions about items not listed here, write a comment to this article, I will update the list. I would appreciate if you can ask you friends who are preparing for the trip to U.S. to look at this list. Also, I would like to hear your feedback on this list( Pen down few lines in comments )
I will be updating this list frequently for next few days. Its not complete yet, but it will give you an idea of what to buy and what not to buy when coming here for First time.
You might also want to read the following articles
- How much bank balance for student Visa ( this will help other students )
- How to Pack Suitcase – 1
- How to Pack Suitcase – 2
- Suitcase – Do I need to lock it?
- Guest Post – Student form UC Davis
- Student Health Insurance for Less
- Simple Steps to Save Money on Student Loan
- Students Laptop Buying Guide
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Dress/Clothes |
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| Jeans | 3-4 | India | |
| T-Shirts | 10+ | India | |
| Shirt – Casual | 3-4 | India | |
| Shirt – Formal | 2 | India | |
| Suit/Coat | 1 | India | Coat and Suit are expensive in U.S. compared to India |
| Shorts/ 3/4ths | 5+ | India | |
| Pants | 2-3 | India | I don’t like to wear pantsJ. I will go with Jeans |
| Belts | 2 | India | Leather is expensive in U.S. |
| Formal Shoe | 1 Pair | India | |
| Winter Wear | U.S. | Don’t buy lots of sweater, wind fleece, wind cheater,. Other winter wear from India. It’s better to get it from here. | |
| Leather Jacket | I usually don’t recommend anyone to buy leather jacket. Its expensive here, but you can find good winter jacket depending on where you live from $15 to $200. | ||
| Sports Shoes | 1 Pair | U.S. | Nike, Adidas, .. are cheap here |
| Sandals | 1 Pair | India | Its cheap here, but you will need it when you reach here. |
| Wallet | 1 | India | Get new one before you come |
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Personal Care |
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| Hangers | No | U.S. | Don’t water your suitcase weight carrying hangers. You will get 13 Hangers for $1 form Walmart |
| ToothBrush | 2 | India | |
| Shaving Kit | 1 | India | Bring what you are using now |
| After Shave | 1 | India | Bring what you are using now. |
| Soap | 1 | U.S. | One soap to use first few days |
| Wash Detergent | U.S. | Please don’t carry detergents from India. You are wasting your space/weight. | |
| Combs | 1 or 2 | India | |
| Hair Oil | 50 to 200ml | India | Pack it well, so it doesn’t leak. |
| Nail cutter | 1 | India | |
| Small scissors | 1 | India | |
| Safety pin bunch. Mini-sewing kit with some buttons | No | Every List you see will ask you to get these items, I have never used it nor my friends in last 5 years. So, don’t get it. | |
| Shampoo | No | Get it here. | |
| Towels | 2-3 | India | Turkey Towels will be heavy, so get 1 of that and 2 towels light in weight. |
| Napkin/Hand Kerchiefs | 6-10 | India | |
| Perfume | 1-2 | India | You can get it here, but try to avoid spending for first 3-6 months. You will get same Axe that you get in India. |
| Tooth Paste | 1 | India | Get small one, it will save you weight and you can get it here. Same Colgate, Close-up is available, but it will taste different. |
| Mirror | Yes | India | You can carry small mirror |
| Razor Blades | Few | India | Its bit expensive here. |
| Blanket | 1-2 | India | Get weightless bed spread. You can get Comforter (think blankets) here in U.S. Its will cost around $15 in Walmart. |
| Pillow | U.S. | Pillow costs $3 in Walmart | |
| Songs CD | No | You can download it here, don’t waster you weight. | |
| Back Pack | Yes | India | Get a get back pack that is definitely needed to cry book to college. Don’t forget to get one. |
| Alarm Clock | Yes/No | If you are bringing your cell phone, you will not need one. | |
| Cell Phone | Yes | You can bring the handset you have, but make you get the pin converter. Usually, chargers will support 110 to 240v, so no need to buy new charger. | |
| Pen, Pencil, Glue, Cello Tape.. | Few | Get some pen, pencil, highlighter, but you can find them in plenty here. | |
| Calculator | I got one, but never used it. Depending on your course of study, decide. If you coming for Computer Science, Biotechnology , its of no need. | ||
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Kitchen/Cooking |
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| Pressure Cooker | 1( 3 Liters to 7 liters) | India | Don’t forget to bring pressure cooker, also get extra weight, valve. |
| Indian Masala/Spices | India | Try to get as much as possible. Masala items are expensive for student’s lifestyle. | |
| Rice, Dhal, .. | U.S. | Don’t carry any rice or other dhal items. It’s available here in Indian store. | |
| Frying Pans.. | You can get one ore 2 pans that are light in weight. | ||
| Serrated Knife | 2 | One small and one large. | |
| Spoon, Fork | U.S. | Spoons, forks are cheap | |
| Vegetable Cutting Board | U.S. | Its additional weight. | |
| Cups and Bowls | U.S. | Get one or 2 small bowls, but not many. | |
| Plates. | U.S. | Plates will be used in Microwave. You can bring 1 plate, but don’t bring more than one. | |
| Peeler | 1 | India | |
| Instant Food Packets | Few | India | Carry few packets of Instant food items, that will come in handy for first few days, till you get settled in the apartment. |
| Elachi, Clove, Cinnamon, | Few | India | |
| Garam Masala | 200gm or more | India | |
| Chilli Powder | 1-2 kgs | India | |
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Medical Files/Medicines |
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| Paracetamol, Crocin | 20 to 30 Tablets | ||
| Spectacles/ Power Glass/ Contact Lens | 2 Pairs | India | Eye Glasses are very very expensive here. With Eye Insurance I paid $225 for one eye glass here last month. Same would have cost Rs4,000 in India. So, if you wearing glasses make sure you get atleast 2 additional pair. |
Please don’t not bring the following items. You are wasting your luggage space.
| Tamarind Paste | ||
| Glass ( Mirror ) | ||
| Moong Dal | ||
| Pencil Box | ||
| Ink Pen | ||
| Heavy Winter Jackets | ||
Related posts:
- Students to U.S. : List of Items to Pack
- How to Pack Suitcase for U.S. Travel
- Suitcase Buying Guide for trip to U.S.A
- 32 Kgs in Cathy Pacific, Singapore airlines
- How to Pack Cabin Baggage
Hi,
it gives me fine idea to gather things and for the preparation. Thank you so much buddy. what about the inner wears. is that costlier there. pls suggest
Buy underclothing that will last for 15 to 20 days, before you can do laundry. Your must not try to spend money within first 3 months on clothes (other than winter wear) when you reach US.
thanx..!!
its really good info. for students…
can u help me in getting the same list for UK…?
Hey.., wonderful forum for clearing d minute details dat many ppl usually leave out. Thnx a lot..!!
and btw, i’am flying by jet airways nd they hav an option for an extra baggage, ie, 23*3. I’am not sure if this includes the carry on baggage weight too! if u have any info bout dis, pls let me know.
once again, wonderful job!!!
WONDERFUL JOB MAN. AMAZING… DONT HAVE WORDS TO EXPLAIN IT. JUST WOW.
Glad you liked the article.
Toothbrushes large pack is a good idea. I use a specific type which I wasn’t able to get here.
really awesome dude…. very useful 4 1st timers….
it was really helpful….u really gave a good n clear info regardin about the baggage…..thnx a lot….
i think the info u have given is very useful to the us aspirants . and i’m appreciating you for your important &useful info.
thanking you for helping the students like me……
Lots of important and useful information…..a very good checklist….must for every student coming to U.S.
Hi,
Very nice information and check list given..Thanks.
Regards,
Maitrik Gandhi.
http://www.maitrikgandhi.co.cc
Hi,
is there any limit to how much liquid I can carry in check-in luggage.actually I need to carry 1 liquid medicine for complete 1 year.
also I have to carry tablets for complete 1 year . Shall the security object if I am carrying with me so much medicines . Is a doctor prescription needed and if yes , then will it suffice ?
Hi,
is there any limit to how much liquid I can carry in check-in luggage.actually I need to carry 1 liquid medicine for complete 1 year .
also I have to carry tablets for complete 1 year . Shall the security object if I am carrying with me so much medicines . Is a doctor prescription needed and if yes , then will it suffice ?
Only 1 word dude u really rockkkkkk…..this info is really very much usefull for each and every 1 who is plannin for masters in any foreign Country…thanks a lotttt ( 1 small compliment kaka nuvvu kekaaaa kevvvvvv)
its a gr8 work……..it is so useful for ppl who r going to US for the first time……plss tell me abt money transfer and u didnt specify abt creams for skin protection…
gr8 wrk has been posted out here……….thnx a lot…..kp up dis gd wrk ….!!!!!!!!
Hi,
Very useful list yar.do update more.
will forward to my friends also.
can u also post abt the way of transfering money to US account from India,n which bank charges less n things.
@ Vijay General rule for Carry On bag is that it must fit within the top airline shelf. I have seen so many types of Carry on Baggage. Get the suitcase type with stroller. It will be easy to move around with tat. Carrying 8 Kgs within airport will be very tough. As far check in bag size is concerned, I haven’t seen any airline measuring the exact size. I have traveled 3 times in Lufthansa, Couple of times in Delta and also in Cathy Pacific. My brother have traveled in Emirates and Jet Airways. He came back from India in June 1week and Lufthansa allowed to carry 32 Kgs with no additional charge. It all depends on the person at the counter helping you check-in. If you happen to know any one whoring in airport, it might help too.
Kudos dude .. I find this website extremely useful ..
@ Vijay: Dimensions are extremely important for hand luggage ( But i m not sure abt the measurements . A rough calculation is, it must go under your flight seat also). For check-in luggage, most airlines adhere to weight ( 23*23*8) whereas certain airlines like lufthansa check dimensions of your suitcase rather than weight . Anyhow chk with your travel agent for more specific details. If that travel agent has influence and if you inform him a week prior your travel, then he can also get special permission for you to carry above 23 kgs/luggage
@ Kilaru: Pressure Cooke – Must; electric Cooker is not a substitute for pressure cooker. If you have space carry Jeans overcoat.
@Avinash: Yes, you can carry sharp items, but not in Carry On Bag. It should be in checked luggage. Make sure you leave your suitcase unlocked or use TSA Locks.
@Vijay: Dimension dosen’t really matter. Don’t for the largest suitcase. Get the medium sized suitcase.
what about the jeans overcoat….is it necessary???
hey its good seeing all the items that r required for a US gng student…….as im one of them…..so, is the cooker necessary???can we have a electric rice cooker in US….as the electronic items r cheap…..is it true??and can we get it there??plz suggest me…..
xtremely useful 4 first-timers.. gud job mate
Sir, Will the airport authorities allow to carry sharp items like Knifes, scissors, nail cutters, shaving blades etc.
Its very nice to know that people like you do such things and show great altruism.
Thanks,
Anup
Dear Sir,
my daughter who wishes to attend BBA course in some good USA university has unfortunately scored only 1670 in both the attempts she made. What do you suggest . She informs me that she is allowed only one attempt more and is afraid to take one more attempt without being sure. is she correct. We are in Delhi.And she is now studing in 12th standard and shall be applying for BBA course starting August 2009.
Regards
AK JAIN
Hey,
u didn’t mention about the dimensions of the baggage.
Does it matter alot?
its really much needed info for students going to US for first time. thanks a lot !!! keep posting your further experiences !!