Read this before you fly. Bags can be lost or delayed. Pack so that you can live the first week with only your carry-on.
Documents: always in your carry-on
Keep these in one folder that stays with you, never in checked bags:
Passport with your US visa (or green card papers for new immigrants)
Students: Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), and your school admission letter
Workers: Form I-797 approval notice, job offer letter, and recent pay or contract papers
Family members: marriage and birth certificates
Vaccination records, for school, work and children's schools
Transcripts and diplomas, for school, jobs, and license boards
A driver's license from home and, if you have one, an International Driving Permit
Certified English translations of any document not in English
Also save clear photos of everything in a secure cloud folder and email them to yourself.
Keep medicines in the original labeled package, in your carry-on.
Bring the prescription or a doctor's letter in English that names the medicine and your condition.
Bring only what you need for personal use. A common guideline is no more than 90 days.
Declare medicines on arrival. Some medicines legal at home are not allowed in the US. Check the CBP "prohibited and restricted items" page.
US outlets use 120 volts and plug Type A (two flat pins) or Type B (two flat pins and a round one). Most phone and laptop chargers work on 100 to 240 volts; check the small print. Hair dryers and kitchen devices from 220 to 240 volt countries may need a converter or will break. Pack one or two plug adapters.
Cash: over $10,000 must be reported
You may bring any amount of money. But if you carry more than $10,000 in total (cash in any currency, traveler's checks, money orders), you must report it on FinCEN Form 105. Money carried by your family together counts as one total. You can file online at fincen105.cbp.dhs.gov before you arrive, or ask the officer for the form. If you do not report it, the money can be seized.
Food and plants: declare them
You must declare all meat, fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and animal products, even a small homemade snack. Many are not allowed. If you declare an item, it may be taken, but you avoid a penalty. If you hide it, you can be fined. When in doubt, declare.
Cheap vs expensive in the US
Usually easy and cheap to buy here: bedding, towels, kitchen basics, cleaning products, winter coats on sale, basic electronics.
Often expensive or hard to find: prescription glasses and contact lenses, favorite medicines, special spices and foods (check the rules first), traditional clothes, and good-quality items you already own and love.
Putting the I-20, DS-2019 or I-797 in checked luggage.
Carrying pills in a plain box with no label.
Splitting $12,000 between two family members and not reporting it.