Hi all,
Here is the list of few things which I felt important and needed to be taken. However this list is not
complete enough. Few things can be added or deleted based on your needs and comfort.
What should we bring from INDIA?
Medicines are pretty costly there. Do get some medicines from home, especially if you
have some known problem. Get proper prescription for any ‘special’ medicines you bring
along. It’s very important as we might be asked at the airport and plus try and get a small
note as to what medicine to take for which illness. Medicines will go in check-in luggage.
While packing stuff below bags can be over-weight. I am sending a parcel to my
address at the cost of avg. 500 Rs. per kg from Mumbai. So do not panic if you are not able
to get all stuff!! Do inquire at your nearest location if needed.
The utensils mentioned below can be split within a house. Everyone need not carry
everything.
Many of the things are priced the same as you get in India, I will try mentioning the
price in USD here as well, so that you have a better view.
All International students visit Big supermarkets during the first week, hence you will
be fully equipped soon!!
Students usually laundry once a week
It’ll be burning hot when you arrive here in August. Do not bring any winter clothes
from there. You will get 2 months of time to buy winter clothes here on sale!
Please bring small bottles of shampoos, moisturizers, creams, lotions, etc. All major
brands
are readily available here in every grocery store. This will save a lot of weight and space!
Quantity
Item USD Prices Comments
Recommended
A CLOTHES
Formal Shirts 3+ Same as India
Girls may decide their
Formal Trousers 2 Same as India
formals quantity accordingly
Formal Suit Highly Recommended
1+ (Difficult to get tailor
made in USA)
Tie 2 to 3 Buy from INDIA
You will eventually
T-shirts / Casual shirts 6 to 7 buy Duke merchandises ©
Jeans 2 to 3 30$+ (branded)
Some/All can be bought
Shorts / Cargo / Bermuda 4 Same as India(20$+) from US
Belts 2 Brown/Black
Highly
Traditional 1+ Recommended (Holi,Diwali,
navratri, etc)
A simple sweater you may
Sweater 1+ already be having which will
be just a back up
Pajamas / Night Suit 2 to 3
I have taken thin ones as
Towels 1 to 2 $3+ they dry up easily in cold
weather too
Tissues are provided
everywhere in US, so
Handkerchiefs 5+ Cheap
handkerchiefs are not
used much in a day
For winter we would need
to purchase one in US as
Indian ones don’t work well
1 – Simple Indian
Blanket (Light Weight) 1 in extreme winter. We get
thin pullover
better ones in US which
can do good in their
winters
You will buy one in US as
the bed sizes are pretty
Single Bed Sheet 1 - different
here(twin, full, queen, king)
Pillow Cover - - Buy in US
Purchase from US, Indian
ones won’t work
Woolen Gloves -
Will only require in Winter.
Jacket - 50-100$ Do not buy from India.
They do not work
Highly Recommended to
Thermal wear set 1+ buy from India
I personally don’t need one
Caps - (Optional)
B FOOTWEAR
Chappals / Sandals 1 1 - Traditional Footwear
Slippers/ House wears 1+
Formal Black Leather
1
Shoes
If you have to buy new,
Casual Sport Shoes 1+ purchase from US
Liquid Shoe Polish 1
Socks (black for formal
2+
Shoes)
Socks (Casual) - $5- for 6 pairs Cheaply Available USA
C MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Charge-Converter 1+ - Highly Recommended
Glasses / Contact Absolute Must (Optics very
3 $100+
Lenses expensive USA)
Check for
Contact Lenses Solution yourself
Stitching Kit 1
Camera Optional
Wallet 1
Don’t bring. Cheaply
Hangers 10+ available in Dollar Stores
D TOILETRIES
Shaving Blades / Depends on type of one
12 Expensive here
Cartridges you use
Razor 1 -
Shaving Cream 1
Shaving Brush 1 -
After Shave Lotion 1
Trimming Scissors 1
Tooth Brush 2 $1.5 most basic
Tooth Paste 1 $3+ (big tube)
Comb 2+
You won’t get one there
Hair Oil 2 - and in Indian stores its
pretty costly
Nail Cutter 1 Don't forget this. Lol
Talcum Powder 1 Optional
Shampoo 1 Cheap Cheaply available
Bathing Soap 1 Cheap Cheaply available
E COOKING HARDWARE
(BE SURE THAT ALL VESSELS ARE FLAT-BOTTOMED, B'COZ U HAVE ELECTRIC STOVES HERE)
(Nonstick cooking utensils preferable!)
Bigger the better. 2 per
Pressure Cooker 3 Litres 1
Not available apartment is sufficient
Spare Dead Weight
Valves 1
Spare Safety Valves 1
Spare Gaskets 1
Chakla/Belan 1
Very good quality such as
Frying Pan (Non-Stick) 1 Nirlep/Anjali etc
recommended
Spoons Small Size 3-4 Cheap
Bring wooden or plastic if
Big Spoons / Spatula 2-3 Cheap your cooking vessels are
non-stick
Steel Plates / Dishes 2-3
Steel Glasses 2-3
Pakkad / Tongs 1 Indian Store only
Bigger the better. 2 per
Kadhai 1
apartment is sufficient
3 to 4 of different sizes per
Utensils / Patelis 1
apartment is sufficient
Do get more. They get
Tea Filter 2-3 spoilt over time
Tea Making Utensil 1 -
Good Quality (If u get,
Knife 2 Cheap don't keep it in Cabin
Baggage!!!)
Do not bring. Readily
available in US of better
Cutting Board 1 quality
Your mother's recipes
Cooking Book Personal choice - highly recommended ©
Hand-Blender with
1 Costly in USA
mixer/crusher (110 W)
F COOKING GROCERIES
You get EVERYTHING here in Patel Brothers stores, which is half an hour from Duke and
Indians go there once a month. Feel free to cut down on quantity if space is an issue.
Pack all the stuff very nicely (double packed), so that the smell of Masala doesn’t get in
your clothes
Optional. Indian Store will
Tea Powder 1 be costly if you convert to
Rs.
Instant Coffee / Nescafe 1 Cheap in USA
Pack it perfect or will spoil
Turmeric Powder /
500 gms clothes if opened up in
Haldi
travelling.
Seal it in black coloured
bags and black coloured
Mustard Seeds / Mouri/
500 gms packaging tape coz customs
Mohari
may remove it as they are
seeds.
Red Chilly Powder 1 kg
Garam Masala
(Homemade) or any Even more if u come from
other as per your 500 gms
North-India
choice
Dhana Powder 500 gms -
Jeera Powder 500 gms
Asofotida / Hing 1 small box -
Cholle Masala, Rajma As per your
masala, etc. requirement $1.5
As per your
Dals requirement Optional
Elaichi / Veldoda 100gm
100 gm
Clove / Lavang
Optional
Papad Optional
Do not bring. All pickles are
available in Patel Brothers.
Achar/ Pickles
They ll mess up your
’
luggage if you bring.
Please Dont bring these.
Sugar / Rice / Salt - -
Readily available in US
As per your This is very helpful in
Rava / Suji requirement beginning
