What clothing and household items you should pack for your trip will depend on your United States destination—what the climate is like and what shopping possibilities exist in the place you will study. Refer to information from your International Student Office and Chinese Student Association.

Wherever you are going to attend school, you should take certain documents with you in your carry-on luggage, in case your checked luggage is lost.

A note about “lost” luggage: It is not rare for checked luggage to be “lost.” Usually, it is found and returned to the owner within a day or two. If your luggage is lost you will be asked to fill out a form that includes a description of the bag—size, color, material, design and also the address to which you are going. Once the bag is found, it will be delivered to that address, usually free of charge.

The airlines have limits on how much they will pay a traveler for a bag that is lost permanently. Airlines provide information about these limits.

Remember that U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel at the port of entry are authorized to search you and all your luggage when you seek admission to the United States.

Additional items to consider packing: recipes; tapes or CDs of favorite music; photographs of family and friends; items that reflect life and traditions in your part of China, such as photographs, music, musical instruments, artwork, or folk costumes.

Remember that your luggage will be subject to security clearances during your trip. Be sure to follow current guidelines (which your airline should provide) for packing your luggage so you do not create problems for yourself and perhaps suffer travel delays.

Label your luggage, inside and outside, with your name and your address at the school you will be attending. (If you do not have an address yet, you can put your name c/o the address of your International Student Office.)

Learn about your airline’s policies concerning luggage: size, weight, and any other matters.