Packing Tips and arranging the bags/suitcases  [Top]

• Try to use suitcases with wheels .
• Try to carry minimal hand luggage.
• Always carry valuable jewelry and medicines with you (in your hand luggage) & not in your checked in baggage.
• Try to carry only as much luggage as you can manage yourself as porters may not be always available.
• Make sure that your hand luggage does not exceed the dimensions allowed by the airlines. If it does, it may have to be put in the cargo hold & any fragile items you have may break.
• Buy suitcases with dimensions (length, width, height) not exceeding 273 cms (107 inches). The linear dimension of each piece should not exceed 158cms(62 inches). Permissible dimensions of hand baggage for all classes are 55x40x20 cms.
• Weight allowed is 70 lbs per suitcase and maximum 2 bags are allowed per person besides hand bags.
• Refer to your airline tickets about the baggage rules and regulations. 
• Always remove old baggage-claim tags and make sure each piece of luggage is clearly marked with your name, address, and phone number (including your work address and phone number is also a good idea).

Carry-on Luggage / Hand- baggage:

• This is what you can carry with you in the plane. Keep it small and handy, so that you can keep it in the overhead luggage space in the cabin. Trolley bags are always advisable. Many airlines allow one cabin bag, but ladies can carry their purse or handbag along with their cabin bag. Total linear dimensions (length+height+width) of each cabin baggage must not exceed 112cms (45 inches), and weight must not exceed 14 to 20kgs (30-40 pounds). Again, check with the airlines by which you are traveling. The rules may differ.

What to keep in Hand /carry-on baggage:

• Emergency Money (keep US$100 hidden somewhere on your person in the event of an emergency)
• Keep your passport, flight tickets, itinerary and visa in another folder, which you will need during travel. Make copies of all these docs and keep it in the checked-in baggage or in another carry-on baggage.
• Your Education certificates, Current Job docs, New employer docs, Job offer docs, Health Insurance, Bank statements and other necessary docs.
• A list of the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of key contacts, both in the US and at home, including the contact information for friends and family who live in the US
• A pair of change clothes, toilet kit and delicates in your carry-on suitcase.
• Any jewelry or medicines, carry with you! One segment of the journey lasts from 7-10 hours. If you get pain of any sort, you should have medicines which are accessible to you at all time. You see your checked-in luggage only when you reach US.
• Camera, in case you want to take pictures of capturing the moments of your travel to USA!
• Some snacks or food to fill breaks.
• Pack light and you will be glad you did!

Check-in luggage:

• These are the big luggage items that you will have to hand over at the airlines check in counter. Most of the airlines allow 2 big baggages as the check in luggage. Total linear dimensions (length+height+width) of each checked in baggage must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches), and weight of each bag must not exceed 32-35 kgs (70-77 pounds).
  Check in bag of total linear dimensions (45 inches) and weight 14 to 20kgs (30-40 pounds) is allowed for children not entitled for a separate seat. Plus you can carry a pram (stroller) or infant seat.
  
  Confirm with the airlines again about the luggage specifications, it may differ from airline to airline. Remember that luggage is handled quite roughly and some luggage could get damaged or open. If your luggage is not very strong tie it properly with a rope.

How to pack the big suitcases?

• Pack tight so that the items in bag will not move, therefore preventing breakage. Packing loosely wastes precious space and causes clothes to wrinkle.
• Use wheeled luggage for easy pull. This way even if your luggage is a little heavy you will be able to drag it easily.
• Wrap toiletries (etc.) in plastic in the event that items may break or leak.
• Roll pajamas, nightgowns, sweaters, and other casual wear to fill small spaces, when possible.
• Avoid fragile items like glass jars, bottles and other. They could break very easily.
• It is good to pack food items separate from clothes. For food that has oil, got to be really careful and seal properly to avoid leakage.
• Lock your luggage to avoid accidental opening due to rough handling or cabin pressure, and carry the keys in your hand luggage. It may look odd but it is good to tie the suitcases with nylon rope.
• Identify your luggage both inside and outside with your name, address and telephone number, and make sure the outside tag is securely fastened to your luggage.
• Include a copy of your itinerary in your luggage with your home address and your destination in the event you and your bags get temporarily separated.
• Pack your baggage in a manner that will make inspection easy in case you are asked to open your baggage in customs.

• Keep all your documents, visa, passport and other immigration related documents in your carry bag.
• All the tickets relevant to your trip to USA.
• Vaccination certificate, Insurance certificate
• Foreign Currency or Traveler's cheque (carry "Quarters",1$ notes, 5$ notes)
• Emergency money
• Receipt for travelers' cheques
• Credit Cards (Visa, Eurocard/MasterCard, American Express etc)
• International Driving license (if you plan to drive in the US)
• Alarm Clock, ID-card
• Address list (with phone numbers and email addresses)
• Map of United States and the detailed map of the city where you are going. (Most of the city maps are available online these days. You can take a print out and carry it with you. After reaching United States, you can can buy a proper map)

Luggage  [Top]

• Always buy bags with the wheels, so that you dont have to lift on your shoulder and are easy to take anywhere.
• Carry light hand luggage. Remember, when you change flight in between, you have to carry your own luggage and you may have to walk a lot while changing terminals at the airport..

Kitchen Tools [Top]

 Food  [Top]

• You get almost everything here as far as spices are concerned, still if you have special masalas, or chatanis, or dry powders you can bring them. However, you can't be sure that it will not be taken out during customs checking. See Customs & Immigration to get more information about the same.

• Papad, some Snacks, Special Indian Mithais(sweets)!!

• After food refreshments i.e. sauf, supari, chooran
• Pickles (Tightly packed and sealed), Powders that go with rice, Instant powders
• Seasoning items, Masala powders. My suggestion is carry masalas which will last atleast the first 15 days or a month because now you get everything in USA but carrying little of everything will be just convenient before you get to know the Indian grocery stores in the area.
• Tea, Nescafe coffee

Puja items, Toiletries, medicines  [Top]

• Picture of Gods (Sheet/ Laminated/ Framed), bell
• Incense sticks and holder
• Lamp and wicks
• Books, especially which explain the method of doing Puja on Diwali, Teej, karva chauth and other festivals
• Some common pain relievers and balms Ex. Volini, Iodex, Amritanjan etc.
• Ask the doctor about traveling precautions. Make a list of all the medicines and their salt compositions (the brand names here are different) needed for your recent or recurring ailments or allergies.
• Carry enough pills, dosages, and emergency medicines. Remember, you might need a prescription to buy them in the USA. Without recognized prescription you can't get medicine except basic medicines for cough, cold, fever, head ache etc.
• Needle and Thread for emergencies. Plus few Hook buttons, press buttons, shirt buttons.
• Do you Wear spectacles? then note the specifications of your lenses. It is advisable to carry a backup pair with you. Even if you wear contact lenses, carry a pair of glasses. Keep all the needed eye drops and ointments.
• If you need to take medications that contain narcotic drugs or are addictive, get a doctor's certificate for it. To ensure you do not violate the laws of the country you are visiting in any way, consult the embassy or consulate of those countries beforehand.
• Get your cassettes, music and CD's.
• If you are fond of playing any instrument, get that also. Any musical instrument is very expensive to buy in the US!
• Apart from carrying tooth-brush, paste etc., carry enough shaving blades with you as they are expensive here.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE TRAVEL!!