The American Shopping List

So you're happy and overjoyed at moving to the US and stuff, but wondering what to bring ?
I could never find a shopping list that did justice to Indians, anywhere on the net so heres a list of things to pack when you get on that plane from India to the US.

Assuming : You are probably allowed 2 pieces of check-in luggage of 32 kilograms each.

What to Buy
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Two big and strong suitcases, that can hold 32+kgs and can take quite a beating, as these would be tossed around by many hands.
I prefer Hard-Top suitcases, but soft tops would do just fine, as long as they are sturdy enough. The total dimension of the suitcase would be mentioned by the airline and it varies. check with your airline(call thier airport office and ask).

One smaller suitcase, this is hand baggage. make sure this is just the right size so that you can carry some stuff. again check max dimensions with airline.

Passport wallet. Buy a passport bag/wallet or a small bag that you can hang from your neck safely, for the passport and a bit of cash. Use this for putting things you need frequently during the flight.

A college-bag/backpack. This comes in handly once you are here, so get one from india if possible. Its better to pack this inside the checkin/hand baggage, so that it does not become an extra piece of baggage.

Dollars. get at least 2000 bucks from the nearest bank. get 1500 and travelers cheques(note the numbers down and keep them separately, in case you get robbed, the cheques can be canceled if you have the numbers). 500 dollars in cash. get at least 100 bucks in small notes(less than 50) and change.(banks might not have small notes or change, visit relatives or something ?)

The important stuff -
- All your certificates, educational and employment related documents.
Tax stubs(form 16), pan card, and photocopies
Investment records in India
The visa and immigration documents
Offer Letters, LCA, educational evaluation, i797 approval notice
drivers license, and any other photo ID you have.
credit cards and bank info, including statements for the last 3 months
(The originals go in the hand baggage, one set of copies go in each of the suitcases)


Utensils-
Okay, chances are that you are not going to cook here(at least initially), but in case you do try to get these.
A small pressure cooker(smallest you can find)
Two vessels for cooking, medium size, with at least one lid.
A plastic tumbler
A plate(melamine ware)
spoon and a fork
A big spoon for curries, and a wooden spatula

Food stuffs

Do not carry much food stuffs. most of the stuff you can buy here. only carry what you feel is most required.
Pickles
chutney powder
any such preservable stuff. do not carry raw food/meat/veggies. Or curries/cooked food. they will be thrown out by the authorities.

Supplies
Slippers, light weight ones
a good pair of sandals
sneakers
black formal shoes
black / brown everyday casual shoes(leather)
wallet. buy a good wallet that has enough spots for credit cards and cash.
Belt. buy at least 3-4. buy the expensive ones, like bullchee or peter england. (you'll know what expensive means once you get here ;) )
spectacles, buy 2 spare specs and get a written presciption. visiting a doc for a prescription is very expensive.

Toilette(try to cut down on weight here)
Soap(just one please!)
Soap dish
a small mirror
comb/hair brush
shaving gel, small tube
razor
toothbrush
toothpaste
hair gel, if you have hair.
A good perfume/body spray(or more , its expensive here)


Clothes
Buy a good blanket,(the one thats not wool but feels like it, its thick but light.)
bring lots of socks. (LOTS)
undergarments(the more the merrier)
Thermals (buy the ones with long sleeved t shirts, about 4 pairs seem sensible )
Shirts, as you please
trousers , as you please
Ties , bring 3
Suit. Just one, really good formal suit. Go to raymonds and they'll fix you up.

Medicines
Visit a doctor. tell him you are travelling, and he'll give you a better list.
Always get a prescription. Its very important here, without a presciption, you cannot have medecines here.
Buy any medicines you regularly take , for any condition you might have.
General Medecines :
Crocin a couple of strips
1 small bottle cough syrup
medicines for vomiting, a laxative, and something to inhibit loose motion.

Utilities
Scotch Tape
Hangars, plastic, a dozen
A portable hard disk, with all your data
i pod/Walkman if you are inclined that way
An international credit card with at least 40-50 k credit limit(it'll take time for you to get a credit card here and sometimes they are required.)


General
Have a skype account and set it up at home so that you can communicate easily with your family. Teach them how to use it.
Get to the airport early. airports may have delays.
When checking in you baggage, be very careful. if you have two pieces of check-in baggage, make sure that they put bag tags on both of them
make sure that the corresponding bag tag counterfoils are stuck on your boarding pass.
cross verify this that the bag tags on your boarding pass match the ones on the baggage
baggage stealing is a very common thing in India and this happens frequently.
always have your passport, a copy of your DS-156,157 in hand(not in your hand baggage, you will need to use this in the flight).
use the passport wallet or a hip pouch for this.
always have a pen with you(you will need to fill out immigration forms during the flight).
try to sleep as much as possible during the flight.
before boarding its a good idea to have a peg or two. not more. It helps you sleep.
if drinks are offered on the plane, have it. helps you doze off again.
have food. the timings will be awkward and you wont be hungry when they serve and they wont serve when you are hungry. live with it.
during the last leg of the flight you will be offered forms to fill out for the immigration procedure
you need to get the form called I-94 . Once you get here, this piece of paper is more important than your visa or your passport.(this proves that you are a legal alien in the country, and gives the date till when you can be in the country legally.)
The name you write on this is important as that will be the official name from now on.(make sure you get the first,middle and last names right on this.)

Once you get here
Mostly everything will be(should be) done by your employer.
Its good to carry small change with you, for public phones if you have to call the employer to pick you up or something. (don't ask me where to get small change, buy a coffee from the airport or something)
If you take a taxi to the place where you are going, give a 15% tip to the cab driver(15% is the minimum) and ask for a receipt.
sleep as much as possible.
Open a bank account asap. you can do it with just your passport. the big banks here are bank of America, chase bank, wachovia, PNC etc.
You might need to buy a laptop. I leave this to you, dell sells only online, and the big electronics shops here are BestBuy, CircuitCity, CompUSA etc. the really good ones cost money, but keep in mind that if you just plan to use it for email, reading books, watching movies then you dont need such a good one.(I made this mistake). check the site www.deals2buy.com before you make the purchase, they'll have the deals listed.