23 Things Americans Should Bring When Moving to the UK

Moving abroad is exciting, but it can also be chaotic. Before I landed in England, I went back and forth deciding what to bring when moving to the UK. I remember hoping that most American things I might miss would be readily available to buy here. 

That’s mostly been true, but there are definitely some things that just aren’t the same. To help me back into the mindset of those early move planning days, I recently asked more than 50 of my fellow Americans living in the UK what they wished they had packed when they first moved.

From giant bottles of Tylenol to taco seasoning, these are the things Americans most commonly wish they’d brought with them when moving to the UK.

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Before You Pack for Your Move to the UK

Before you start trying to stuff your whole life into boxes, I want to reassure you that I’ve been here years and the initial move didn’t scar me or my family for life. Take this list as suggestions, but prioritize the items that will be the most meaningful and useful to you during your first month or two in the UK.

Packing Tip: My best advice is to pack one suitcase as though you’ll be living out of it for a month. Include your essentials so you don’t have to hit the ground immediately hunting for crucial replacements.

What to Bring When Moving to the UK: Americans in the UK Poll Results

I asked over 50 Americans living in the UK what American things they wish they had packed for their move abroad. This group was fantastic and covered all of my top recommendations, as well as a few things that hadn’t occurred to me but are really smart. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

1. Big Bottles of American Medicines

This was by far the most repeated answer in my poll, and the first thing that popped into my mind when I was thinking back to what I wished I had packed for our move.

Medicines in the UK are often sold in much smaller quantities. When you compare a UK box of 12 pills to an American bottle of 100… well, the difference adds up.

Some of the most-mentioned items included:

• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Ibuprofen
• Aleve
• Excedrin Migraine
• DayQuil and NyQuil
• Mucinex
• Pepto-Bismol
• Tums
• Zicam
• Cold and flu medicine
• Children’s medicine

I still tend to stock up on large bottles of Tylenol and ibuprofen whenever I’m back in the US.

You should also keep in mind that medicines in the UK may come in different strengths, or under unfamiliar brand names.

2. Melatonin

This deserves its own category because so many Americans are used to having this readily available, but in the UK it just isn’t.

In fact, the UK designates melatonin as prescription-only. If you regularly use it for sleep or jet lag, bring enough to help you through the transition period after your move.

Considering how disruptive international moves can be to your sleep schedule, this one is worth planning ahead for.

3. Your Favorite Spice Blends

This is another one of my personal recommendations. If you have favorite spice blends you use regularly, bring them. In fact, this may become one of the first differences you notice after moving.

Poll commenters repeatedly mentioned missing:

• Taco seasoning
• Ranch seasoning
• Chili powder blends
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Steak seasoning
• Mexican spice blends

UK grocery stores absolutely have spices, of course, but many Americans said the flavor profiles are different from what they were used to at home. I pick up Everything But the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s and jalapeno salt every time I visit the US.

4. Mexican Food Ingredients

One theme appeared over and over in the responses:

Americans miss Mexican food in the UK. Yeah, me too. The British standard for Mexican food, especially outside major cities, is something like Taco Bell and Old El Paso. It can be pretty grim.

People specifically recommended bringing:

• Corn tortillas
• Enchilada sauce
• Salsa
• Hot sauce
• Ranch dressing packets
• Taco seasoning
• Black beans
• Tex-Mex ingredients

The last time I visited family in Texas I had my bag opened at TSA because it had a stack of HEB tortillas inside. That was allowed, by the way, but must have looked weird on the scanners. I put them into small packs in the freezer when I got home to draw out my stash.

You can find some Mexican ingredients in the UK, especially in London, but the quality, variety, and availability still don’t compare to the US.

5. Prescription Refills

If you take regular prescription medications, try to bring several months’ worth if possible.

A few Americans mentioned that their US insurers approved extended refills before the move to give them time to:

• Register with a GP
• Navigate the NHS
• Find specialists
• Transfer prescriptions

The NHS can be fantastic, but getting fully set up after an international move can take time. Differing standards on prescribing can also mean you’ll need to advocate for yourself to maintain the same course of treatment.

6. Antibiotic Ointment

This surprised many Americans in the poll.

Several people pointed out that products like Neosporin and bacitracin are either prescription-only or much harder to find in the UK.

If you normally keep antibiotic ointment in your medicine cabinet at home, pack a few tubes.

7. Better Bandaids

Apparently this is a deeply emotional issue for Americans abroad.

Multiple commenters passionately complained that British plasters (what the UK calls bandaids) “don’t stick.”

Several people specifically recommended bringing:

• Bandaids
• Waterproof bandaids
• Fun kid bandaids

For me, I was surprised by how un-fun bandages are here. It made me nostalgic for the goofy bandaids I’d grown up with. You can sometimes find a box of printed bandaids, but it’s not nearly as common as in the US.

8. American Deodorant and Antiperspirant

This was another common answer that I can personally second. When I first moved over, I was surprised by how many spray-on deodorants were available compared to the stick and roll-on varieties I was used to finding back home.

I’m definitely not alone in the struggle, as many Americans commented that they struggled to find UK deodorants that worked as well for them as their US brands. Years down the road, I’ve found a few UK options that are fine, but I still recommend bringing extras of your favorites until you figure out what works for you.

9. Favorite Toiletries and Makeup

One of the smartest suggestions from the poll was bringing one to two months of your regular toiletries and beauty products.

Even if you eventually switch to UK brands, having familiar products during your first weeks abroad can make the adjustment feel much easier. 

People specifically mentioned:

• Hair products
• Makeup
• Skincare
• Toothpaste
• Whitening strips
• Kid toothpaste brands

You will settle in and find new favorites, but it’s nice to have a little runway while you figure out what you like.

10. Your Favorite Snacks

Snacks are always top of mind with Americans talking about what they miss from America. This is in part because moving abroad can feel emotionally overwhelming, especially in the first few weeks.

I recommend packing comfort snacks you already know and love to help you through the early days. Common favorites include:

• Granola bars
• Candy
• Takis
• Kool-Aid packets
• Gum
• Peanut butter
• Dill pickles (hard to pack, but worth it)
• Favorite coffees and teas

There’s something comforting about opening your suitcase and finding familiar snacks after a long travel day.

11. Coffee Creamer

I have such strong feelings about this one that I wrote a whole blog post about drinking coffee the British way. It is shocking how different coffee expectations can be here. 

Several people in the poll mentioned missing:

• Half-and-half
• Coffee creamer
• Large travel coffee cups

Coffee culture in the UK is different, and many American grocery staples simply aren’t as common. I’ve settled on single cream as a close enough substitute for half-and-half, but fans of flavored creamers might want to pack a small stash for the move.

12. Large Insulated Water Bottles and Travel Mugs

One expat mentioned deeply missing their oversized insulated American water bottles and coffee tumblers.

UK versions tend to be smaller, and if you already own favorites like Stanley, Yeti, or Hydro Flask products, they may be worth bringing.

13. Pillows You Actually Like

A big number of the Americans polled mentioned pillows. This didn’t surprise me too much as I do remember being shocked at the flatness of UK pillows when we were first buying home goods. I eventually went for a tempurpedic pillow to make up for it.

If you’re particular about your pillow, you might want to just vacuum-pack it and thank yourself later. 

On the other hand, bedding isn’t always a good idea because of the difference in bed sizes in the UK. We brought a few blankets, but have tended to favor our new UK duvets.

14. A Few Basic Tools

This was an unexpectedly practical recommendation.

Consider putting some basic household tools in your luggage when you move, such as:

• A hammer
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Scissors

If your household shipment is delayed, even basic tools can make settling in much easier.

15. Important Documents

Keep these with you, not in a household goods shipment:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Tax records
• Visa paperwork
• E-visa information
• Medical records
• School records
• Pet paperwork

You will almost certainly need some of these shortly after arriving.

16. Chargers, Adapters, and Cords

Bring more than you think you need.

You’ll want:

• UK plug adapters
• Charging cords (especially for necessities like cell phones)
• Backup chargers
• Portable battery packs

And remember that some US appliances won’t work properly in the UK because of voltage differences. I recommend leaving behind anything that doesn’t accommodate UK voltage. Even with a converter, you’re likely to burn out the appliance with regular use.

17. Waterproof Clothing

Consider the difference in climate between your old home and the new one. The UK climate can feel damp compared to many parts of the US, especially during autumn and winter.

If you already have good condition items, bring:

• Waterproof shoes
• Rain jackets
• Warm coats
• Wellies (rain boots)
• Layers

However, if your wardrobe lacks these items, you may be better off buying locally after you arrive to ensure you get pieces that will last. 

18. Clothes You Already Know You Love

Clothing styles and sizing can be quite different in the UK. Sizing charts differ and popular cuts may not align with your preferences. 

One of the people polled specifically mentioned bringing:

• Extra children’s clothes
• Hard-to-fit sizes
• Favorite sports bras
• Winter clothing

If there’s something you wear constantly in the US, it may be worth bringing extras.

19. Hobby Supplies

One of the sweetest responses came from Americans who packed:

• Knitting supplies
• Embroidery kits
• Musical instruments
• Books

Especially during darker UK winters, hobbies can help enormously with homesickness and settling in.

20. Comfort Items for Kids

For families moving abroad, several parents emphasized bringing familiar comfort items for children. We moved with our daughter, and made sure to bring some of her favorite things to make the move easier.

Suggestions for things to bring include:

• Favorite snacks
• Stuffed animals
• Blankets
• Books
• Lego sets
• Toys
• Robes
• Familiar toothpaste

Kids experience culture shock too, and familiar routines matter.

Planning a move abroad with kids? Don’t miss my guide to the best European countries for families.

21. Costco Membership Card

This one surprised me. Where I moved to in the UK wasn’t close enough to make maintaining our Costco membership worthwhile, but I have friends who swear by it.

Apparently, if you already have a US Costco membership, you can use it in the UK.  Some of the Americans polled said it’s much easier to use your US membership rather than signing up after arrival.

22. Reusable Grocery Bags

If you haven’t fully adopted the routine of taking reusable shopping bags with you to the grocery store, it’s time to get on board. 

One American in the poll reminded everyone that UK grocery stores don’t provide free bags when you shop. If you want to be fancy about it, you can hop on the Trader Joe’s tote trend that has seen them popping up all over London (in spite of the UK having no Trader Joe’s shops).

There’s no need to pack tons of these as you can also buy them here, but bring a few reusable shopping bags and you’ll use them constantly.

23. Sentimental Items

Finally, many Americans said the things they valued most weren’t practical at all.

They were:

• Family photos
• Favorite books
• Keepsakes
• Comfort objects
• Familiar decorations

When we were packing to move to the UK, we had a rule that nostalgic items were worth bringing in our household shipment because we didn’t need them for the months it would take them to arrive, but we would be sad to let them go forever. 

Moving abroad is exciting, but it can also feel lonely and emotionally exhausting at times. Sometimes the smallest familiar object can make a new country feel more like home.

Deciding What to Bring When You Move

The good news is that you do not need to panic-pack your entire American life before moving to the UK. In fact, the UK has almost everything you’ll need eventually.

But based on my own experiences and the experiences of other Americans who’ve already made the move, bringing a few familiar comforts can make your first few months abroad much smoother.

And if you forget something?

Don’t worry. Every American abroad I know has eventually developed a running “buy it when I visit the US” list anyway.

More Resources For Your Move Abroad

• Guide to UK Visas and Options for Moving to the UK
• How to Move From America to Europe
• Pros and Cons of Life in the UK
• How to Pack For Your Move to the UK
• Guide to Moving Money to the UK
• Mistakes to Avoid Moving Pets to the UK
• Choosing a UK School For Your Child
• UK vs. US Housing: What to Expect
• American Guide to Driving in the UK

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