6 Practical & Peculiar Items To Pack To Move Abroad

Packing for a big move is chaotic and when you have to distinguish between air freight, sea freight, and storage, it’s downright crazy.  Although you organized like mad and feel confident you packed everything you need for the next few weeks while you wait for the sea shipment to arrive in your new home country, there will be surprises. 

Most things you can buy abroad, but there are interesting exceptions to be aware of so that you can relax when you finally get to the other side.  The last thing you want or need to do is sort out where to buy urgent supplies or find the nearest Kinko’s equivalent.

Whether you choose fate to decide if your electronics will work in Europe or simply curious, here are 6 interesting items to pack to move abroad, tips to decide what to keep, and how to tell if your electronics should go, too. For a full packing list, get my detailed Moving To England Workbook.

(This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  For the full disclosure, read it here.)

6 Helpful Items To Add To Your Packing List 

While passport, clothes, and your favorite tote bag might be obvious things to pack for a move abroad, there are a few items to pack that might not be top of mind but incredibly helpful immediately upon arrival in your new home abroad.  Your moving abroad situation might make some of these items obsolete, but here’s how these items have been worth their gold the first couple of weeks living in a new country.

1 – Printer and Ink

You have no idea how critical a printer is till you rely on it to prove your identity and existence for every utility company, bank, school and everything else that goes along with registering in a new country.

My husband and I went back and forth on bringing the printer on our last moving day.  Not only were we not considering it as air freight, but we were 50/50 on putting it in storage.  Our rationale ended up being that if we put it in storage then the printer would be archaic by the time we returned to the States.  After that, it went into the sea freight pile. 

Then, after nearly 8 hours of filling out documentation, photocopying Visas, passports, drivers licenses, and other proof of residence documents for the umpteenth time, the hubs decided it best to bring it with us on the plane vs. wait for it to cross the Atlantic.

Taking our printer as plane luggage was the best decision.  We relied on the printer nearly every day for a couple of weeks.  If we hadn’t brought it along, simple tasks would have turned into a herculean effort.

Printer & Ink Packing Tip

Pack your printer and bring plenty of ink to get you through the first 6 months.  Then restock when you revisit the States or have family restock you when they visit.  You cannot buy American ink in the UK.  The ink is actually programmed to work regionally.  If you want to use ink purchased in the UK, you have to reprogram your printer.  And reprogramming your computer can only be done once in its lifetime.  Who knew!

2 – Folding Step Stool

It sounds strange because it is.  Packing a step stool is not an item I ever imagined we’d take abroad, let alone make it as airplane luggage.  How it happened is quite simple.  Our step stool was packed in the last box to join us as air freight because we needed it to patch hard-to-reach holes in the house we were vacating right up to the day before boarding our plane. 

Lightweight, convenient, and easy to store, this step stool ended up being one of those freak items that we ended up using a LOT.  And it wasn’t because we needed to hang pictures.  We actually needed it to store our air freight boxes and suitcases in our super small temporary flat.  The flat storage areas were above tall cupboards and wardrobes, so the only way to reach our belongings was with the step stool. 

Sure, we could have kept the boxes on the floor but how messy and disorganized is that?  After living in moving chaos long enough, there is no time than the present to start getting settled and organized.  And if you’re fortunate enough to move directly into your new home, then the step stool will be even handier. 

Folding Step Stool Packing Tip

Don’t toss the step stool.  After the last hole is patched when you’re moving out of your US home, put it with other items to pack as air luggage.  You can certainly buy one in the UK, but you’ll be happier that you kept it so that you can start making your new house feel like a home right away.

3 – Kids Cleats and Trainers

It seems so obvious but when you’re in the middle of moving your life to another country, the notion of needing multiple sets of sneakers immediately upon arrival is not top of mind. 

Since you’re moving abroad, it’s most likely that your kids will join a private school.  Private school means you’ll need to equip your children with all sorts of supplies.  The kits stay at school all week and some supplies stay at school for even the whole term. (Read British vs American Schools to prepare for what’s different.)

Though you can’t prepare for the school uniform in advance, you can certainly make sure to appropriately pack all the shoes they’ll need.  For whatever reason, I never gave sneakers a second thought.  For simplicity sake, we packed 1 pair of sneakers for plane luggage for each child and the rest went in the sea shipment to arrive 6-8 weeks later.  MISTAKE!

We spent the first 3 days after arriving in the UK trying to find sneakers and cleats for both kids since they needed indoor, outdoor, and rubber boots galore.  Both kids had most of these in their sea shipment. 

It was a waste of money and time and added a lot of stress driving around (which is its own stress!).  Having the right footwear is pretty important to 6 and 8-year-olds attending a new school, so we sucked it up and went shoe shopping.  

Footwear Packing Tip

Pack all your kids’ sneakers and rubber boots as plane luggage.  Do not pack what they have as part of the sea shipment.  I thought one pair would suffice but school is different in the UK. 

Private schools require different shoes for different courts (inside vs. outside) and they stay at school.  If you have them, pack them. 

If you forget, it’s not the end of the world but you will be put to the test straight away to know where to shop (read familiar brands in the UK), or worse, how to drive (refer to this post for when you’re ready to get your UK drivers license). 

A better plan might be to look up Sports Direct, a popular value sports store in the UK, and overnight ship.  We learned the hard way!

4 – Spices

You’re not allowed to pack spices in your sea shipment.  I didn’t think much of it since cooking has never been my strength.  I simply assumed that we could buy whatever spice we needed in the UK.  The hubs pleaded with the moving company to let him pack at least the special Container Store shelves that stored spice essentials like basil, rosemary, and seasoned salt.  Luckily, we got away with a few spices without anyone noticing. 

But what we quickly discovered was how important our Texas spices really were.  Once you figure out the English translation for basic spices (for example, coriander is cilantro), rebuilding your spice rack is simple enough.  But, it’s the not-so-basic spices that are impossible to find to replace.  

Guacamole seasoning packets and Dale’s have been the two hardest losses.  Thankfully we have regular American visitors to restock our shelves with American food we can’t find in the UK.

Spices Packing Tip

If you have go-to spices for traditions you simply can’t live without, then pack them.  Stock up, seal them in a storage bag, and put in your suitcase.  For us, certain seasonings are critical for keeping up with family traditions such as “Taco Tuesday Guacamole” night. 

Food traditions help you and your littles feel more at home because it’s familiar and one less new thing the family is forced to try right away.

5 – Specialty Food – Hershey Kisses, Candy Canes, Green Bean Casserole, Stuffing…

Yes, you read that correctly.  Green bean casserole!  Or maybe you’re still stuck on candy canes.  It might not seem like a big deal now, but it will when the holidays come around.  Options are limited in the UK.  They might have 1 type of stuffing in the grocery store, but it will not be stuffing as you know it. 

Candy canes are are hard to find and Hershey kisses can be bought at a premium.  Peanut butter Christmas cookies will not be on the holiday baking list, neither will candy canes on the tree Christmas morning. 

If any of these are staples for you and your family, then stock up.  It’s not that big of a deal if you’re moving in the spring or summer, but watch out fall movers.  We moved in the fall, and Thanksgiving was awkward without my husband’s favorite green bean casserole, and the stuffing was just well, weird.  More on Thanksgiving in the UK here.

Tip On Specialty Foods For Holidays & Occasions Not Celebrated Abroad

While moving abroad offers wonderful opportunities to start new traditions, which you should, if you have any traditions that can’t be altered without a breakdown, then make sure you’re stocked.  Pack specialty food items in your plane luggage because movers most likely won’t take it. 

6 – American Magazines

There is nothing like curling up with a good magazine to unwind after a long day.  Magazine reading days go to a screeching halt when you’re in the thick of organizing, decluttering and packing for the big move day. 

For me, reading magazines is my guilty pleasure.  It’s one of my favorite things to do on Sunday mornings with a cup of coffee, or right before going to bed to clear my mind.  And since the hubs immediately had a work trip within days of our arrival in the UK, I craved nothing more than my familiar nighttime browse of the latest Pottery Barn magazine to ease me into sleepiness.

You are probably wondering, “What’s wrong with the magazines in the UK?”  Answer: they just aren’t the same. 

The variety is far less than anything you’ll find in the States and some are too difficult to relate to within the first 6 months of the move.  I didn’t realize how challenging it would be to replace my favorites like People Style Watch or Coastal Living, both of which load horribly in the UK.  Digital downloads are available but that defeats the purpose of setting technology aside to unwind.

Favorite Magazines Packing Tip

If magazine reading is your thing too, then don’t feel guilty about buying loads of them. I bought a couple of magazines before boarding the plane, but not nearly enough. 

If you rely on certain magazines for comfort, inspiration, and relaxation, then magazines are a big YES on your items to pack abroad list.  It gives you time to ease into HELLO! Magazine and let go of the Pottery Barn magazine mail delivery.

What to Leave Behind If You Are Moving Abroad

There are a few simple things to know when it comes to leaving items behind when you move abroad.

Country Restrictions

First, countries typically have forbidden items that aren’t allowed to enter the country.  Be sure to do your homework on the country’s import restrictions you are moving to.

Size Of The Place You’re Moving Into

Second, the relative space in the property you live in now vs what you are moving into should heavily influence the type and number of items you pack.  Generally speaking, European homes are smaller than American ones.

If you aren’t sure what to do, follow this simple packing abroad rule:

If you haven’t used it in the last 6 months, don’t pack it for a move abroad.  

Holidays and traditions are exceptions to this rule.  But the general rule is: if you haven’t used it then leave it.  Leaving it behind is a great opportunity to donate or sell it to make some extra cash. 

Electronics & Other Electrical Devices – Will they work in Europe?

Any electronic with a power source that isn’t 50/60 Hz and 120-240 volts, should be put in storage or sold.  If the power doesn’t fall within that range, make sure it’s worth it before you risk it. 

Where to find the Hz and Volt if curious if electronics will work in Europe

We have burnt out loads of American things, such as a DeWalt power drill, Oral B electric toothbrushes, and even a hoverboard. 

I’ve lost track of everything we’ve ruined thinking the item was safe enough to adapt without converting the power first.  Wrong.  After learning the hard way, the trick is to check the electronic for 50/60 Hz first.  The frequency has proven to be the most important factor to check before hitting the power switch.

Make sure you have a power adapter or two handy in your luggage for the electronics you pack to move abroad.  You’ll need them immediately after your long international flight to recharge your electrical devices.

Tips On How To Decide Whether To Pack An Item or Not?

If you’re not sure whether to pack an item or not to move to Europe, check Amazon.

Search amazon.co.uk (your relevant European country) before you move to see if the item is sold and shipped in the UK.  If they don’t ship it, it’s unlikely you’ll find it in the country.  If you do find it somewhere other than Amazon, it’s likely you buy it at a premium price.

Use a VPN so that you can do an online search as though you’re already living in the country.  Read How To Access Blocked American Websites for more on how and why to use a VPN as an expat.

Final Thoughts On What To Pack & Not Pack For A Move Abroad

It’s really up to you what items to pack but these 6 practical and peculiar things will simplify adjusting to the new place you call home.  Make room for your must-haves in your plane luggage so you make the most of those first days and upcoming traditions. 

We can all appreciate a little less stress and comforts of home when home still feels so very far away.  So, go for it. 

Buy the spices, stuffing, ink, and splurge on magazines.  Pack up the trainers, printer, and step stool.  And if you’re still curious about what electronics will work in Europe, leave the electronics that aren’t 50/60 Hz in the US.  You’ll be grateful you did.

Looking for more moving tips?  Try these.

• Moving abroad?  Download my MOVING ABROAD CHECKLIST
• England Packing List: What To Bring To England To Make The Move Easier
• What To Pack To Move To England (Pack, Store, Sell & Buy)

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