Packing, Baggage rules, Customs

Depending on where you are going - US or Rest of World, there will be different rules applicable. US is on piece basis whereas ROW is on weight basis. Best to check on your airline website the exact details of how much you can carry. First time travelers tend to pack too much; I know because that's what I did! Try to be as minimalistic as possible to reduce the stress of lugging your luggage around in an international airport you have just landed. Remember you will not have porters there. You may have to pay for a luggage cart as well; but I have noticed that it is usually free to use carts when you arrive in these airports. They tend to charge when you depart.

If you are using a domestic flight before your international flight, you will of course have additional luggage allowance. But best to check-in earlier than usual to negotiate the crowds in the Indian airports.

Through checkin - If you are using same airline till your final destination you can ask for through check-in which means you will not have to retrieve your luggage at an intermediate dest and recheck it in (For eg. at Frankfurt if you are using Lufthansa). Check the airport code on the sticker they put on your bag before it goes away into the bowels of the airport. But if your final destination in US is not the same as the one you land in US first; you will have to collect your luggage and go pass customs to the domestic lounge. Even if the lady issuing your ticket tells you its been checked in till the FINAL destination in US, dont believe her; you will HAVE to collect your luggage at the first port of entry in US. The same holds good when you are entering India as well.


Do NOT lock your check-in luggage if you are going to US, unless you have a TSA issued lock. If US authorities on a random basis decide to open your check-in luggage and they find it locked, they will break it open. (TSA lock is one issued by Transportation Safety Administration of US for which they have duplicates, so your lock will not be broken if they decide to open your luggage)

US Customs: You will have to fill one form for the entire family. Its straight forward and not cause many problems. There is one question which may pose a dilemma - Are you bringing in food? Its easy to say NO for it. But you should never lie. These guys are very smart and when they see elderly Indians they knw they are usually bringing in food. Better to say YES and explain the items to them. Even if it takes some time and you will be tired after long journey. Best is never to lie.



Things not to pack- Use your common sense. Also check on the airline website for items not allowed on board. Carry small tubes of liquid (incl toothpaste) on board in your hand luggage. Anything more than 100ml will not be allowed.